Phalanx CIWS
(Close-In Weapons System)
Phalanx is fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20-millimeter gun system.
Phalanx provides US Navy ships with a terminal defense against anti-ship missiles that
have penetrated other fleet defenses. Designed to engage anti-ship cruise missiles and
fixed-wing aircraft at short range, Phalanx automatically engages functions usually
performed by separate, independent systems such as search, detection, threat evaluation,
acquisition, track, firing, target destruction, kill assessment and cease fire.
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.
| General characteristics |
| Primary function |
Anti-ship missile defense |
| Contractor |
Hughes Missile Systems Company |
| Weight |
12,500 lb (5,625 kg); later models 13,600 lb (6,120 kg) |
| Range |
Classified |
| Gun type |
Gatling
M-61A1 Vulcan |
| Type of fire |
3,000 rounds per minute - Later models: 4,500 rounds/min (starting 1988
production, Pneumatic Gun Drive) |
| Magazine capacity |
989 rounds - Later models: 1,550 rounds |
| Caliber |
20mm |
| Ammunitions |
Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS), Depleted Uranium sub-caliber
penetrator. Penetrator changed to Tungsten 1988. |
| Sensors |
Self-contained search and track radar |
Jirka Wagner
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