The Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) is a short range missile defense system placed on naval ships to protect against incoming aerial and sea based threats. General Dynamics produces this 20mm M61A1 Gatling gun with the capability of firing 4500 thousand rounds a minute at approaching dangers (1). The Phalanx system uses state of the art radar to autonomously detect objects within range and engage those objects that are recognized as threats. With it’s swiveling base and ability to adjust its angle it can engage any target at any elevation. The effects of the system have changed defense strategies and have provided security for thousands of men and women for many years.
History
In response to the sinking of the Israeli destroyer ILS Eilad in October of 1967, General Dynamics answered with a prototype version of the Phalanx system (2). The idea originated from the army’s self-propelled V163 VADS air defense vehicle and converted into a naval based system capable of addressing anti-ship missile threats (2). Multiple test were conducted between the years of 1973-1977 and proved the system to be effective (2). The system was later installed on various other ships, the first being the USS Coral Sea in 1980 (2). Since that time the Phalanx system has been modified and upgraded with current technology to increase its effectiveness and installed on U.S. and allied ships around the globe.
How it Works
Image result for Phalanx CIWS
This system essentially tracks a projectile or vehicle for a certain distance and then shoots it down. Phalanx CIWS functions completely autonomously and has a procedure for the engagement process. The system first identifies and tracks targets 10 miles out by using two separate radar systems. During this time the situation is run through Phalanx’s engagement criteria. At 5 miles out, it assigns and prioritizes incoming targets. Around 2 miles and depending on whether the target has been deemed a threat, the gun will open fire and adjust the stream of fired projectiles to the path of the incoming threat. Phalanx will identify the threat as a “hard” or “soft” kill by how it disappears off its radar. At the nearest opportunity the system will be manually reloaded. The entire process, up until reloading, is completely unassisted and is functional 24 hours a day. (2)
On October 11 1989, the USS Iwo Jima lost an officer and navy chief petty officer was wounded by a Phalanx CIWS (3). During a training exercise, the two sailors were struck by projectiles from the system. Nearby, the USS El Paso was firing on a training target pulled by an aircraft and at some point the system engaged the target and happened to strike the two sailors on the deck of the Iwo Jima. One sailor died of his wounds and the other recovered from his injuries.
During the Gulf War, an incident took place where the USS Missouri took friendly fire from the USS Jarretts Phalanx system. Chinese Silk Missiles were quickly approaching the USS Missouri and deployed decoys for the missile. In the process, it is believed that the CIWS targeted the decoys and engaged them. In this event the USS Missouri was struck by multiple rounds and had caused shrapnel to injure a sailor (4). The actual cause of the incident isn’t known and could be due to a number of factors.
Similar Systems
The land-based variant of the Phalanx CIWS is Northrop Gruman’s C-RAM. Developed in 2005, Counter Rocket Artillery Missile (C-RAM) was designed to protect ground troops and allied bases in the Middle East. The systems are similar but differ in many ways. A major difference is the type of ammunition used. The Phalanx uses tungsten rounds whereas the C-RAM uses exploding ammunition so as to reduce collateral damage (5). The C-RAM is also linked to a siren system that sounds when it’s radar discovers inbound projectiles. The C-RAM has more recognized successes due to the environment it is in compared to its sister system out on the open water.
Another Raytheon product in the same business is the SeaRAM. Instead of firing bullets, the SeaRAM fires missiles thus having the name Sea Rolling Airframe Missile. This system is an upgrade to the Phalanx CIWS. It has the same pivoting platform with the same purpose, but the SeaRAM is capable of engaging targets with its eleven missiles from a greater distance (6). They are both similar systems but with different capabilities.
The Phalanx CIWS has come along ways since its original version. Throughout its lifetime Phalanx has undergone many upgrades to current technology. These upgrades are continuing. Anticipated upgrades for 2019 allow the system to engage surface vehicles (7). This upgrade includes improved radar, an infra-red sensor, automatic acquisition video tracking, optimized gun barrels, and enhanced lethality cartridges (7). As technology improves, the system gets better and better to protect men and women around the world.
(unsure of how to put in links to citations)Phalanx CIWS (1) “Phalanx - Close-in Weapon System (CIWS).” General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, www.gd-ots.com/armament_systems/ss_phalanx.html. (2) Robert H. Stoner. “R2D2 With Attitude: The Story of the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).” R2D2 With Attitude: The Story of the Phalanx Close-In Weapons, 30 Oct. 2009, www.navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-103.htm. (3) A.J. Plunkett“Iwo Jima Officer Killed In Firing Exercise.” Tribunedigital-Dailypress, 12 Oct. 1989, articles.dailypress.com/1989-10-12/news/8910120238_1_iwo-jima-ship-close-in-weapons-system. (4) Seaforces.org “Guided Missile Frigate.” USS Jarrett FFG 33 Guided Missile Frigate Vice Admiral Harry Bean Jarrett, www.seaforces.org/usnships/ffg/FFG-33-USS-Jarrett.htm. (5) Pike, John. “Military.” Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM), Globalsecurity.org, www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/cram.htm. (6) Scout.com. “Navy Fires New Ship-Defense Missile.” Weapons Wednesday: The Navy's SeaRAM Missile Can Destroy Drones, Small Boats, Missiles and Helico..., Scout, 23 Sept. 2015, scout.com/military/warrior/Article/Weapons-Wednesday-The-Navys-SeaRAM-Missile-Can-Destroy-Drones-Sm-101451920. (7) Osborn, Kris. “Navy Overhauls Phalanx Ship Defense Weapon.” Defensetech, Defensetech.org, 21 Aug. 2013, www.defensetech.org/2013/08/21/navy-overhauls-phalanx-ship-defense-weapon/.
Introduction to Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) is a short range missile defense system placed on naval ships to protect against incoming aerial and sea based threats. General Dynamics produces this 20mm M61A1 Gatling gun with the capability of firing 4500 thousand rounds a minute at approaching dangers (1). The Phalanx system uses state of the art radar to autonomously detect objects within range and engage those objects that are recognized as threats. With it’s swiveling base and ability to adjust its angle it can engage any target at any elevation. The effects of the system have changed defense strategies and have provided security for thousands of men and women for many years.
History
In response to the sinking of the Israeli destroyer ILS Eilad in October of 1967, General Dynamics answered with a prototype version of the Phalanx system (2). The idea originated from the army’s self-propelled V163 VADS air defense vehicle and converted into a naval based system capable of addressing anti-ship missile threats (2). Multiple test were conducted between the years of 1973-1977 and proved the system to be effective (2). The system was later installed on various other ships, the first being the USS Coral Sea in 1980 (2). Since that time the Phalanx system has been modified and upgraded with current technology to increase its effectiveness and installed on U.S. and allied ships around the globe.
How it Works
This system essentially tracks a projectile or vehicle for a certain distance and then shoots it down. Phalanx CIWS functions completely autonomously and has a procedure for the engagement process. The system first identifies and tracks targets 10 miles out by using two separate radar systems. During this time the situation is run through Phalanx’s engagement criteria. At 5 miles out, it assigns and prioritizes incoming targets. Around 2 miles and depending on whether the target has been deemed a threat, the gun will open fire and adjust the stream of fired projectiles to the path of the incoming threat. Phalanx will identify the threat as a “hard” or “soft” kill by how it disappears off its radar. At the nearest opportunity the system will be manually reloaded. The entire process, up until reloading, is completely unassisted and is functional 24 hours a day. (2)
Phalanx CIWS firing
Incidents
On October 11 1989, the USS Iwo Jima lost an officer and navy chief petty officer was wounded by a Phalanx CIWS (3). During a training exercise, the two sailors were struck by projectiles from the system. Nearby, the USS El Paso was firing on a training target pulled by an aircraft and at some point the system engaged the target and happened to strike the two sailors on the deck of the Iwo Jima. One sailor died of his wounds and the other recovered from his injuries.
During the Gulf War, an incident took place where the USS Missouri took friendly fire from the USS Jarretts Phalanx system. Chinese Silk Missiles were quickly approaching the USS Missouri and deployed decoys for the missile. In the process, it is believed that the CIWS targeted the decoys and engaged them. In this event the USS Missouri was struck by multiple rounds and had caused shrapnel to injure a sailor (4). The actual cause of the incident isn’t known and could be due to a number of factors.
Similar Systems
The land-based variant of the Phalanx CIWS is Northrop Gruman’s C-RAM. Developed in 2005, Counter Rocket Artillery Missile (C-RAM) was designed to protect ground troops and allied bases in the Middle East. The systems are similar but differ in many ways. A major difference is the type of ammunition used. The Phalanx uses tungsten rounds whereas the C-RAM uses exploding ammunition so as to reduce collateral damage (5). The C-RAM is also linked to a siren system that sounds when it’s radar discovers inbound projectiles. The C-RAM has more recognized successes due to the environment it is in compared to its sister system out on the open water.
C-RAM in action video
Another Raytheon product in the same business is the SeaRAM. Instead of firing bullets, the SeaRAM fires missiles thus having the name Sea Rolling Airframe Missile. This system is an upgrade to the Phalanx CIWS. It has the same pivoting platform with the same purpose, but the SeaRAM is capable of engaging targets with its eleven missiles from a greater distance (6). They are both similar systems but with different capabilities.
Future of Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx CIWS has come along ways since its original version. Throughout its lifetime Phalanx has undergone many upgrades to current technology. These upgrades are continuing. Anticipated upgrades for 2019 allow the system to engage surface vehicles (7). This upgrade includes improved radar, an infra-red sensor, automatic acquisition video tracking, optimized gun barrels, and enhanced lethality cartridges (7). As technology improves, the system gets better and better to protect men and women around the world.
(unsure of how to put in links to citations)Phalanx CIWS
(1) “Phalanx - Close-in Weapon System (CIWS).” General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, www.gd-ots.com/armament_systems/ss_phalanx.html.
(2) Robert H. Stoner. “R2D2 With Attitude: The Story of the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).” R2D2 With Attitude: The Story of the Phalanx Close-In Weapons, 30 Oct. 2009, www.navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-103.htm.
(3) A.J. Plunkett“Iwo Jima Officer Killed In Firing Exercise.” Tribunedigital-Dailypress, 12 Oct. 1989, articles.dailypress.com/1989-10-12/news/8910120238_1_iwo-jima-ship-close-in-weapons-system.
(4) Seaforces.org “Guided Missile Frigate.” USS Jarrett FFG 33 Guided Missile Frigate Vice Admiral Harry Bean Jarrett, www.seaforces.org/usnships/ffg/FFG-33-USS-Jarrett.htm.
(5) Pike, John. “Military.” Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM), Globalsecurity.org, www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/cram.htm.
(6) Scout.com. “Navy Fires New Ship-Defense Missile.” Weapons Wednesday: The Navy's SeaRAM Missile Can Destroy Drones, Small Boats, Missiles and Helico..., Scout, 23 Sept. 2015, scout.com/military/warrior/Article/Weapons-Wednesday-The-Navys-SeaRAM-Missile-Can-Destroy-Drones-Sm-101451920.
(7) Osborn, Kris. “Navy Overhauls Phalanx Ship Defense Weapon.” Defensetech, Defensetech.org, 21 Aug. 2013, www.defensetech.org/2013/08/21/navy-overhauls-phalanx-ship-defense-weapon/.