MK-15 Phalanx CIWS

Facts

Variants	Block 0 Block 1 Block 1A Block 1B Block 2C
Role and Mobility	Ship-based air and missile defense for the ship; Fixed position(s) on ship
Interceptors and Range	20mm Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS); Range: Effective Range: 1,625yds (.9mi)[i] Max Range: 6,000yds (3.4mi)[ii] Depleted Uranium or Tungsten sub-caliber penetrator 3,000 rounds/min; Later models 4,500 rounds/min 989 rounds capacity; Later models 1,550 rounds
Sensors	Self-contained search and track radar Search radar – Ku-band; Digital MTI Track radar – Ku-band; Pulse Doppler monopulse E/O sensor – FLIR Imaging System with Automatic ACQ Tracker Fire Control – Director with closed-loop spotting
Targets	Aircraft, cruise missiles, Standard aircraft missiles
Status/Exports	Operational All U.S. Navy surface combatant ship classes[iii] and 24 allied nations
Designer/Producer	Raytheon Systems Company

Overview

The MK 15 Phalanx provides ships protection against incoming missiles and aircraft.[vi] It is composed of six 20mm gun barrels, and fires up to a rate of 4,500 rounds per minute. The Phalanx is also equipped with its own search radar and tracking radar, which allows for the system to work independently of other systems.[vii] The Phalanx is capable of detecting an incoming attack, track the missile or aircraft, and engage the threat automatically. This provides a faster reaction time to ensure safety of the vessel. The Phalanx has had several versions throughout its career.

Block 0: The block 0 was the original CIWS, designed to engage and destroy low altitude anti-ship cruise missiles.[viii]

Block 1: Extended the range to high altitude missiles with an improved antenna, and improved ammunition capacity by 50%.

Block 1A: Modified software and processing power to allow the CIWS to perform more efficiently against multiple targets.[ix]

Block 1B Phalanx Surface Mode (PSUM): Added a Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR), which allows the CIWS to engage hovering or slow-moving aircraft and surface craft.

Baseline 2C: Integrated multi-weapon capability. [x]

Strategic implications

The Phalanx is a necessity for U.S. naval ships to enter disputed seas, or seas with a U.S. adversary conducting “Anti-access/area denial” (A2/AD) operations within the territory. A2/AD is an increasing issue in areas such as the South China Sea and the Baltic territories. Without systems such as the Phalanx, U.S. naval vessels would be vulnerable to cruise missile, ballistic missiles, or aerial attacks. Having the capability to shoot down incoming threats can give U.S. sailors confidence to maintain the balance of power on the sea.