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Phalanx, firing
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The radar-guided, rapid-firing Mk. 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS, pron. “see-whiz”) can fire between 3,000-4,500 20mm cannon rounds per minute, either autonomously or under manual command, as a last-ditch defense against incoming missiles and other targets. Phalanx uses closed-loop spotting with advanced radar and computer technology to locate, identify and direct a stream of armor piercing projectiles toward the target (see video: MPEG | AVI, with hat tips to the good folks at Digg.com).

These capabilities have made it a crtical bolt-on sub-system for naval vessels around the world. As of Feb 28/07, More than 895 Phalanx systems had been built and deployed in the navies of 22 nations. The latest development is C-RAM/Centurion, a land-based system designed to defend against incoming artillery and mortars.

This is DID’s Spotlight article offering updated, in-depth coverage of the Phalanx CIWS. It describes ongoing deployment and research projects within the Phalanx family of weapons, the new land-based system’s new technologies and roles, and international contracts from FY 2005 onward. Israel is now considering the land-based 20mm version as part of its defenses against Hamas’ shelling of its civilian population, but several obstacles remain…

• The Phalanx Platform: Competition, Upgrades & Developments [updated]
• Land-Based Phalanx: C-RAM
• Phalanx Contracts and Key Events, FY 2005-Present [updated]
• Additional Readings

Get to our trove of Phalanx materials by becoming a subscriber now. You will immediately gain access to our up-to-date close-in weapons system coverage, as well as all the deep reference materials we offer on all other defense programs.

This Phalanx story, along with Defense Industry Insider's cross-referenced materials on related platforms, includes the following resources:

• 7 pictures including numerous photos of the ship platforms and land platforms. Also, the link to a video clip of the weapon in action against a ship-side incoming missile
• Coverage of the land-based C-RAM models
• A chronology of events, contracts, competitions, international interests, deployment plans in active theaters, subcontractors and other items of interest extending back to 2004
• Cross reference to systems of similar function and purpose, as well as alternative configurations and uses
• Deep program references on systems employing the Phalanx, such as Australia's Hobart Class ships, the National Security Cutters, FSF-1, Littoral Combat Ship, LHA-R, and many others
• Additional readings

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