TECHNOLOGY
“The central computer can instantly calculate the probability of the Phalanx taking a target out”
The missile killer The Phalanx CIWS is one of the most advanced and brutal gun turrets on the planet – find out why now The Phalanx is a close-in weapon system (CIWS) – a largely defensive piece of kit designed to shoot down incoming anti-ship missiles. The Phalanx is arguably the most cutting-edge CIWS currently around, sporting a powerful 20-millimetre (0.8-inch) M61 Vulcan autocannon, advanced dual-antenna Ku-band radar array and huge 1,550-round munitions drum. The Phalanx is mounted to a variety of vessels in the US Navy, where it is tasked with defending every class of surface combat ship. This defence comes courtesy of thousands of armour-piercing tungsten and depleted uranium rounds, which are projected from the autocannon at 1,100 metres (3,610 feet) per second. For perspective, that’s the equivalent of travelling the length of Manchester United’s football pitch about ten times in a second! The rounds’ trajectories are dictated by a built-in fire control system. This central computer can instantly calculate the probability of the Phalanx taking a target out, as well as what fire rate and pattern is needed. The control system is fed data from the two antennas of the Ku-Band radar, with a wide aperture search antenna picking up incoming threats, and a gun-laying antenna taking care of the fine, narrow aperture object targeting. In addition to providing defence against incoming missiles and shells, the Phalanx can also operate against more traditional targets – such as small surface vessels – thanks to the inclusion of a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. This tech detects infrared radiation – ie heat signatures – and helps the Phalanx deal out massive damage to enemy ships.
Sensors
The statistics…
Certain Phalanx systems come installed with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors to detect surface vessels and approaching missiles.
Phalanx CIWS 1A/B Height: 4.7m (15.4ft) Weight: 6,200kg (13,600lb) Elevation: -25° to 85° Gun: 1 x 20mm (0.8in) M61 Vulcan autocannon
How the Phalanx works
Muzzle velocity: 1,100m/s (3,609ft/s)
The major elements of a machine that’s handy to have around when under fire
Max burst rate: 1,000 rounds
Radar
Radar: Ku-Band
Ammunition capacity: 1,550 rounds Cost: £22.6m ($35m)
A tubular radome encases the Ku-Band search and gun-laying radar. The search antenna sweeps for threats, and when a target is confirmed as hostile, the gun-laying antenna locks on to it.
Mount The mount contains the power supply, fire control system, plus hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms. The cannon rotates at high speed on a circular base in order to face any incoming threat.
Gun Damage is dealt with a 20mm (0.8in) M61 Vulcan autocannon, which has a muzzle velocity of 1,100m/s (3,609ft/s) and an effective range of up to 3.6km (2.2mi). The cannon fires armour-piercing tungsten/depleted uranium rounds.
Power The Phalanx has its very own independent 440V AC power supply that runs at 60Hz, as well as dedicated water reserve for systems cooling. This allows it to operate should the host vessel have a power cut.
Drum Ammunition for the M61 Vulcan comes courtesy of a large magazine drum. This ammunition dispenser can hold 1,550 rounds at any one time and can feed the cannon at a rate of 4,500 rounds per minute.
Computer A central fire control computer is responsible for deciphering data received from the radar and sensors, as well as determining hit chances and firing patterns. It can operate on full-auto or manual settings.
AK-630
Goalkeeper
DARDO
The Russian equivalent of the Phalanx, the AK-630 is a naval close-in weapon system that boasts a six-barrelled 30mm (1.2in) Gatling cannon capable of firing 10,000 rounds per minute.
The Dutch counterpart of the Phalanx, the Goalkeeper is designed to shoot down missiles and ballistic shells. It sports a 30mm (1.2in), seven-barrelled cannon with a muzzle velocity of 1,109m/s (3,638ft/s).
The Italian-made DARDO (which translates as ‘dart’) is a close-in weapon system equipped with two massive Bofors 40mm (1.6in) highexplosive shell firing autocannons.
032 | How It Works
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© Alex Pang; John Bradley
How does the Phalanx stack up to the competition?
