DESIGNATOR : Mk 15/16 20-mm/76-calibaer CLOSE IN WEAPON SYSTEM (CIWS) NAME: PHALANX GATLING GUN DESCRIPTION: The Phalanx is a self-contained, shipboard self-defense gun using a modified M61 Vulcan six-barrel Gatling cannon, built-in pulse-doppler J-band fire control radar, and digital computer. It is intended to treat attacking anti-ship missiles. The US Navy uses the designations mk 15 and Mk 16 to refer to CIWS. STATUS: Initial operational capability 1980. In production by Pomona Division, General Dynamics Corp., Pomona Calif.. General Electric has a contract to qualify as second source for the system and is the supplier of all M61 guns. In service in some 200 US ships with plans to equip 250. Also in service with several foreign navies. USERS/PLATFORMS NAVY Aircraft Carriers (3-4 mounts) Battleships (4) Cruisers (2) Destroyers (2) Frigates (1) Amphibious Command Ships (2) Helicopter Carriers (1-2) Amphibious Transport Docks (2) Dock Landing Ships (2) Tank Landing Ships (1) Ammunition Ships (2) Combat Stores Ships (2) Combat Support Ships (2) Replenishment Oilers (1) Coast Guard High-endurance Cutters (1) Australia Great Britain Japan Canada Israel Saudia Arabia CHARACTERISTICS: Weight, Mount 12,000 lbs (5,443) Armament Performance: Maximum range 1,625 yd (1,486 m) Rate Of Fire 3,000 rpm theoretical maximum Muzzle velocity 3,280 fps (1,000 mps) Reaction time 2 seconds from threat detection Projectile Mk 149 sub-caliber (12.75 mm) depleted uranium Penetrator 2 1/2 times as dense as steel within a nylon sabot and spun initially by an aluminum "pusher". Magazine Capacity Mod 0 Block 0 980 rounds Block 1 Approximately 1,450 rounds Fire Control VPS-2 Pulse-doppler, J-band search and track radar with close-loop spotting which follows both target and its own 20-mm projectiles. High-speed digital computer automatically engages incoming, high speed Threat unless countermanded by the operator. Crew Unmanned Protection Weather protection for mount radar BLOCK 1: Has improved radar with four-plate back-to-back search array for high-elevation coverage, greater ammunition stowage, higher rate of fire, and enhanced reliability and maintainability. Authorization for limited production in 1986 ISSUES: The installation of Phalanx CIWS came several years after the appearance of similar rapid-fire gun systems of larger caliber, in Soviet surface warships. Most foreign CIWS designs include 25-mm or 30-mm rapid- fire gun rather than the smaller 20-mm of the Phalanx. PROGRAM ACQUISITION COSTS (IN MILLIONS) Actual Proposed Proposed FY87 FY88 FY89 Procurement (24) 102.2 (5) 28.1 (5) 19.4 Initial Spares 1.8 1.6 1.1 RDT&E 5.3 7.6 11.9 Military Construction ---- ---- ---- Totals 109.3 37.3 32.4 Unit Costs (FY1988) $5,604,600 OPERATIONAL NOTES: The CIWS on the USS STARK (FFG31) did not engage the French-Built Exocet AM-39 air-to-surface missiles launched against the ship by an Iraqi aircraft on 17 May 1987. In Senate Hearings before the Committee on Appropriations for FY1986, US Department of Defense officials were asked about the effectiveness of the CIWS against Exocet missiles, to which they replied, "In Recent operational tests, PHALANX destroyed numerous EXOCETS in an imparessive4 fashion." Call...Dark Cult of Destruction....+46-303-227581 V32bis