The US Navy has contracted RTX business unit Raytheon for the production of the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).
Under the $205m contract, Raytheon is tasked with delivering upgrades, modifications, overhauls, and associated support equipment for the defence system.
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Raytheon Naval Power Raytheon Barbara Borgonovi said: “Phalanx is our Navy’s last line of defence, expertly designed to protect our sailors from the threats they face every day.
“Securing this contract underscores the trust the US Navy places in an absolutely critical system.”
The Phalanx CIWS is a “rapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun” designed to neutralise a variety of close-in threats, including anti-ship missiles at sea and on land.
It carries out functions such as “search, detection, threat evaluation, tracking, engagement, and kill assessment”.
The advanced Block 1B variant enhances the system’s capabilities further by incorporating control stations for manual target identification and engagement.
It also features an infrared sensor that extends its utility against aerial targets like helicopters and high-speed surface threats on water, as well as incoming projectiles on land.
The weapon system is a staple on all classes of US Navy combat ships and serves the defence forces of 24 allied nations worldwide.
The weapon system is used by the US Army to identify and counter artillery, rocket, and mortar systems.
Raytheon said its land-based version has seen active combat deployment and has proven instrumental in real-world scenarios such as the January 2024 incident where it successfully intercepted a Houthi missile in the Red Sea.
The execution of the contract will primarily take place in Louisville, Kentucky, with additional work spread across various locations in the US through 2029.
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