Raytheon Technologies has secured a substantial $205-million contract from the U.S. Navy to continue its production of the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). This important agreement encompasses upgrades, conversions, overhauls, and essential associated equipment vital for enhancing the operational capabilities of the Phalanx system.
The work related to this contract will primarily take place in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside other locations across the United States, with an anticipated completion date set for 2029. Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, emphasized the significance of this contract, noting that the Phalanx system serves as the Navy’s last line of defense. “Phalanx is our navy’s last line of defense, expertly designed to protect our sailors from the threats they face every day. Securing this contract underscores the trust the U.S. Navy places in an absolutely critical system,” she stated.
The Phalanx CIWS is a sophisticated, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun system specifically engineered to defend against anti-ship missiles and other close-range threats. Its impressive firepower allows it to discharge up to 4,500 rounds per minute, making it a vital component in the defensive arsenal of the U.S. Navy. The system is deployed on all classes of U.S. Navy surface combatants and is also utilized by 24 allied navies around the globe.
Phalanx integrates various capabilities including search, detection, tracking, threat evaluation, and engagement within a unified platform, enhancing its effectiveness in combat situations. The Block 1B variant of the system features advanced technologies such as a forward-looking infrared sensor and operator control stations. These enhancements facilitate visual target identification, expanding the Phalanx’s ability to counter a range of threats, including helicopters and fast surface vessels at sea, as well as offering support for land-based operations against rockets, artillery, and mortar fire.
In a related context, last June, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Raytheon a contract worth $279.2 million to provide management support for the Army’s land-based Phalanx system. The capabilities of the Phalanx system have been proven in real-world scenarios, notably when the USS Gravely effectively utilized it in the Red Sea to intercept a Houthi missile, preventing a potential impact that had closed to within one nautical mile of the ship. This incident serves as a testament to the system’s critical role in protecting naval assets and personnel in high-stakes environments.
