Understanding CIWS and Fire Controls

[plasticpanzers]

Would having a CWS turret (or more than one) on a buoy be effective supporting regular mines in orbital missions?

[liveware (OP)]

I suppose that would depend rather heavily upon the purpose of one's CIWS.

In my case I desire my CIWS to destroy inbound hostile missiles.

Other missions might diverge considerably from my own objectives.

Edit: I think that we are on the border of discussing the relative merits of  gauss cannons and other weapon platforms, rather than CIWS.

[Ulzgoroth]

Would having a CWS turret (or more than one) on a buoy be effective supporting regular mines in orbital missions?

I wouldn't think so? CIWS can only fire against missiles that are attacking the vessel that the CIWS is on. They can't attach enemy ships or missiles attacking any other ship, so supporting isn't really an option. Except indirectly by enabling their vessel to survive longer as missile bait, I guess.

[Pedroig]

Can't put CIWS on buoys in the first place.  Would be a very small station...

[Father Tim]

Would having a CWS turret (or more than one) on a buoy be effective supporting regular mines in orbital missions?

No.  Regardless of what you mean by "buoy" (missile or fighter or something else), a CIWS unit can only fire on missiles, and only in defense of itself.  If the buoy does not also include offensive weapons, there is not reason to fire on it (and at minefield ranges, very little reason to fire missiles at it instead of beam weapons).

The only way it would work is if your "buoy" was a full-fledged structural shell, ship, or fighter (with or without engines).