Phalanx “R2D2s” to Counter Land Mortars
Raytheon’s Phalanx Close-In Weapons System naval gatling gun functions as a last-ditch defense against anti-ship missiles and has recently been upgraded to attack small surface craft as well.
Yesterday, DID covered the IED threat, with links to a lessons learned report and the vehicle mix issue. The next biggest threat is mortars – many of them miss, but lucky shots are causing casualties. DefenseTech.org looks at the tactical issues around countering insurgent mortar tactics, and notes a new solution in trials by the U.S. Army: create a land-based version of Phalanx CIWS with appropriate ammunition for use over land.
Well, the place already features Warlocks and JIN. Why not the “Phalanx” R2D2s as well?
No word if the redesigned Phalanx will use any of the weight-saving innovations devised by UA Engineering students, who reportedly reduced the weight of the weapon’s support structure by about 30% in a Raytheon-funded 2004 project.
