Phalanx CIWS: The Last Defense, On Ship and Ashore
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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. These capabilities have made the Phalanx CIWS a critical bolt-on sub-system for naval vessels around the world, and led to the C-RAM/Centurion, a land-based system designed to defend against incoming artillery and mortars.
This DID Spotlight article offers updated, in-depth coverage that 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. As of Feb 28/07, more than 895 Phalanx systems had been built and deployed in the navies of 22 nations.
The Phalanx Platform: Competition, Upgrades & Developments
Phalanx: New Frontiers
Phalanx: Competitors
Phalanx Contracts and Key Events
FY 2014 – 2021
FY 2012 – 2013
FY 2011
FY 2010
FY 2009
FY 2008
FY 2007
FY 2006
FY 2005
Additional Readings
Competitors
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December 8/22: CIWS Raytheon won a $59.3 million by the US Navy for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), SeaRAM, and Land-based Phalanx Weapon System. Work will be performed in Arizona, California, Mississippi, Texas and New Jersey and is expected to be completed by January 2024.
February 8/22: South Korea The US Senate foreign relations committee has been notified on a potential sale of four more Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 (IB2) systems to South Korea. Two of those systems were approved by the Biden administration in December 2020 and the new request builds on that Foreign Military Sale package. The new proposal is to cost the South Korea taxpayer $129 million.
June 25/21: Upgrades Raytheon won a $136.4 million deal for MK 15 close-in weapon system upgrades and conversions, system overhauls and associated hardware. MK 15 Phalanx CIWS provides ships of the US Navy with an inner layer point defense capability against anti-ship missiles, aircraft and littoral warfare threats that have penetrated other fleet defenses. Phalanx automatically detects, evaluates, tracks, engages and performs kill assessment against ASM and high-speed aircraft threats. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (85%); and the government of South Korea (15%), under the foreign military sales program. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2026.
May 27/21: Tests HMS Prince of Wales tested her three Phalanx guns as part of efforts to make the vessel operational, it says in a tweet. Phalanx CIWS is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system and is the Royal Navy’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles.
April 16/21: UK Babcock International won a two year contract with the UK Ministry of Defense, for continuation of in-service support to the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS). Phalanx CIWS is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system and is the Royal Navy’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles.
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