Phalanx weapon system to get overhauled by Raytheon
NewsMay 21, 2012
LOUISVILLE, KY. Raytheon engineers will be upgrading and overhauling nine Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems for a U.S. Navy contract valued at $57.8 million. Under the contract the company also will produce two SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense systems and provide 20 radar upgrade kits.
A rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20-millimeter gun system, the Phalanx system automatically acquires, tracks, and destroys any threats that penetrate all other ship defense systems.
SeaRAM utilizes advanced Phalanx Block 1B sensors and also replaces the gun with an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile guide in order to enlarge Phalanx's keep-out range against anti-ship missiles, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and other threats that continue to evolve. SeaRAM is currently aboard the USS Coronado (LCS 4), the USS Independence (LCS 2), and will soon be in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.