Description: Fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20-millimeter gun system.
Features: Phalanx provides ships of the U.S. Navy with a
"last-chance" defense against anti-ship missiles and littoral warfare threats
that have penetrated other fleet defenses. Phalanx automatically detects,
tracks and engages anti-air warfare threats such as anti-ship missiles and
aircraft, while the Block 1B's man-in-the-loop system counters the emerging
littoral warfare threat. This new threat includes small,high-speed surface
craft, small terrorist aircraft, helicopters and surface mines. Phalanx
accomplishes these engagements via an advanced search and track radar system
integrated with a stabilized, forward looking infra-red (FLIR) detector. This
integrated FLIR provides Phalanx with an unique multi-spectral detect and
track capability for littoral warfare threats and dramatically improves the
existing anti-air warfare capability. Block 1B also incorporates new Optimized
Gun Barrels which provide improved barrel life, improved round dispersion and
increased engagement ranges.
Phalanx is the only deployed close-in weapon system capable of
autonomously performing its own search, detect, evaluation, track, engage and
kill assessment functions. Phalanx also can be integrated into existing
Combat Systems to provide additonal sensor and fire-control capability.
Background: The Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS)
underwent operational tests and evaluation onboard USS Bigelow in 1977,
and exceeded maintenance and reliability specifications. Phalanx
production started in 1978 with orders for 23 USN and 14 Foreign Military Sales
(FMS) systems.
Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems
Command (OOD)
Washington, DC 20360
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