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MK 15 - Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)

Last updated: 20 Sep 2021

Description
Fast-reaction, detect-through-engage, radar guided, 20-millimeter gun weapon system.
 
Features
MK 15 Phalanx CIWS provides ships of the U.S. Navy with an inner layer point defense capability against anti-ship missiles (ASM), aircraft and littoral warfare threats that have penetrated other fleet defenses. Phalanx automatically detects, evaluates, tracks, engages and performs kill assessment against ASM and high speed aircraft threats. The current Phalanx variant (Block 1B) adds the ability to counter asymmetric warfare threats through the addition of an integrated, stabilized, Electro Optic sensor. These improvements give Phalanx the added ability to counter small high speed surface craft, aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). 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 ship combat control systems to provide additional sensor and fire-control support to other installed ship weapon systems.
 
Background
Phalanx production started in 1978 with the Block 0 configuration, and was first installed in 1980 on the USS Coral Sea. The Block 1 configuration was installed on USS Wisconsin in 1988. The first Block 1B installation was aboard USS Underwood (FFG-36) in 1999. The Phalanx program has had an active and continuous production, upgrade and overhaul program since 1978.
 
 
General Characteristics, MK 15
Primary Function: Fast-reaction, detect-thru-engage, radar guided 20-millimeter gun weapon system.
Contractor: Raytheon Systems Company (preceded by Hughes Missile Systems Company and purchased from General Dynamics Pomona Division in 1992).
Date Deployed: Date Deployed: Block 0: 1980 (aboard USS Coral Sea)
Block 1: 1988 (aboard USS Wisconsin)
Block 1B: 1999 (aboard USS Underwood)
Weight: (Block 1B): 13,600 pounds (6,120 kg).
Type Fire: ASM & Aircraft: 4,500 rounds/min, Asymmetric Threats: 3,000 rounds/min.
Magazine Capacity: 1,550 rounds
Caliber: 20mm.
Ammunition: Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot
Type: M-61A1 Gatling Gun

Point of Contact
Naval Sea Systems Command
Office of Corporate Communication

Washington, D.C. 20376

(202) 781-4123

 

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