Phalanx Close-In Weapons System

Phalanx Close-In Weapons System
- Automated Defensive Gun -

ORIGIN (Real World)
United States of America

GAMES FEATURED IN:
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

ACE COMBAT VESSELS EQUIPPED WITH THE PHALANX:
Iowa-class Battleship
Kongo-class AEGIS Destroyer
Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier
Oliver Hazard Perry-class Frigate
Ticonderoga-class AEGIS Cruiser
Whidbey Island-class Landing Ship
Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer

OVERVIEW:
The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is an anti-missile system that was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division. It is now manufactured by the Raytheon Company. It is used by the United States Navy on every class of surface combat ship in its fleet and is used by navies of twenty-three allied nations. Because of their distinctive barrel-shaped radome and their automated nature of operation, Phalanx CIWS units are sometimes nicknamed R2-D2s, after the famous droid from Star Wars. Developed as the final line of defense (terminal defense or point defense) against anti-ship missiles (AShMs), including high-g and maneuvering sea-skimmers, the first system was offered to the U.S. Navy for evaluation on USS King in 1973. It was accepted and production started in 1978, the first ship fully fitted out was USS Coral Sea in 1980. The Navy began placing CIWS systems on noncombatant vessels in 1984.

The basis of the system is a 20 mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun auto cannon linked to a radar system for acquiring and tracking targets. The gun fires at a variable 3000/4500 rounds per minute depending on the Block, or version of the system. It is mounted in a self-contained turret along with an automated fire control system. The system automatically searches, detects, tracks, engages and confirms kills using its computer-controlled radar system. Because it is self-contained, Phalanx is ideal for support ships which lack integrated targeting systems and generally have limited sensors. The entire unit weighs between 5500 kg and 6100 kg (12,400 to 13,500 lb).

Phalanx CIWS firing Phalanx has been developed through a number of different configurations. The basic style is the Block 0. The Block 1 (1988) offers various improvements in radar, ammunition, rate of fire, increasing engagement elevation to +70 degrees, and computing. These improvements were intended to increase the system's capability against emerging Soviet supersonic anti-ship missiles. Block 1A introduced a new computer system to counter more maneuverable targets. The Block 1B PSuM (Phalanx Surface Mode, 1999) adds a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor to allow the weapon to be used against surface targets. This addition was developed to provide ship defense against small vessel threats and other "floaters" in littoral waters and to improve the weapon's performance against slower low-flying aircraft. The FLIR's capability is also of use against low-observability missiles and can be linked with the Rolling Airframe Missile system to increase RAM engagement range and accuracy. The Block 1B also allows for an operator to identify and target threats.

SOURCES:
Ace Combat Series (In-game Data)
Wikipedia.org