Los sistemas del tipo CIWS (Close-in Weapons Systems), desarrollados originalmente para proveer de Defensa Aérea Cercana a unidades navales de superficie, tienen al Sistema Phalanx (Raytheon) como referente. Su avanzado sistema de adquisición de blancos y control tiro, autónomo o manual, le permiten neutralizar misiles y aeronaves a baja altura. Una versión de uso terrestre ha sido adoptado por el US Army.
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.
