Raytheon's Mobile Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System Completes Live-Fire Demonstration

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

perhaps this article can clear some things up for you. keep in mind many aspects of the system are still classified.

http://defensetech.org/2007/03/22/land-based-phalanx-weapon-system/

*here is a better link from manufacturer

http://www.airdefenseartillery.com/ada_website_08/attach/C-RAM%202.pdf

Cool ...
This is a low cost system compared to the Israeli Iron Dome but effective as it covers the parameter using guns

Gun systems

A gun based CIWS usually consists of a combination of radars, computers, and multiple barrel rapid-fire medium-calibre guns placed on a rotating gun mount. Examples of gun based CIWS products in operation are:
AK-630
DARDO
Denel 35mm Dual Purpose Gun
Goalkeeper CIWS
Kashtan
Meroka CIWS
Myriad CIWS
Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun System[1][2]
Phalanx CIWS
Sea Zenith
Type 730 CIWS

It pains me that such a Marvell of ingenuity ends up in the hands of guys who have there heads all shaved up..

Raytheon eyes defence at the speed of light

Richard Scott

Tuesday, 11 September, 2007



Raytheon Missile Systems (Stand 1355) has begun engineering development activities and proof-of-concept testing intended to yield a nextgeneration Phalanx close-in weapon system using a high energy laser, company officials have told the DSEi Show Daily.

The new system would see a laser augment or replace the M61A1 20mm Gatling gun used by the current Phalanx system — deployed by more than 20 navies worldwide — and its land-based counterpart Centurion. The latter system, optimised to defend against rockets, artillery and mortars, has been rushed into service to provide indirect fire defence for US and UK forces in Iraq. Kevin Peppe, Raytheon’s Phalanx programme director, said: “The Centurion system has provided a near-term C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortars) solution for our deployed forces. But we know that our customers would like a larger defended footprint beyond the kinematics of a gunbased system. “A missile is too expensive, so we are looking instead at a solution based on the adaptation of a robust but relatively lowpower, low beam-quality commercial laser.” According to Peppe, such a solution would offer a faster time to intercept, and an effective range about three times that of the existing M61A1 gun. “It would also have significantly lower life-cycle costs,” he added.

A proof-of-concept experiment was performed in 2006 in conjunction with Sandia Labs in New Mexico. “By using clever optics to focus the laser beam at range, we demonstrated that we could achieve sufficient energy on target to deflagrate a 60mm mortar round,” Peppe said. Raytheon is confident that the technology is now mature enough to allow a laser-based Centurion to be fielded in the C-RAM application by 2010.According to Peppe, similar technology could also be applied to the shipborne Phalanx system. “The maritime atmosphere presents some challenges because of the increased moisture in the atmosphere,” he explained. “But, with the development of higher power industrial lasers proceeding apace, we are confident that we could keep a beam of sufficient energy on an incoming anti-ship missile long enough to rupture the airframe. It would also have applications against UAVs and swarms of fast attack craft.”

DSEi 2007 - Raytheon eyes defence at the speed of light

 

[Thomas]

Yes, the U.S. Navy is investing heavily in high energy defense. They see it as the future to defeating hypersonic as well as ballistic missiles and aircraft. To an attacker a weapon that travels at the speed of light is hard to defens agianst. Plus you don't have to worry about ammunition resupply.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Yes, the U.S. Navy is investing heavily in high energy defense. They see it as the future to defeating hypersonic as well as ballistic missiles and aircraft. To an attacker a weapon that travels at the speed of light is hard to defens agianst. Plus you don't have to worry about ammunition resupply.

but theres counter to it ,
If the sensor suite is unable to detect the cruise missile , like if its made stealthy and painted with some evading stuff, then this system can be rendered useless.. further theres alot of R&D being done for those cruise missiles which are extremely terrain hugging , like they fly real close to the ground and if you add supersonic speed factor to that along with evading stuff then this system can be contoured.IMO

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

YouTube - Phalanx (CIWS) Block 1B LPWS Testing and Firing

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

YouTube - PHALANX GUN IN ACTION IN IRAQ

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

YouTube - Phalanx Test fire in Iraq - Air defense weapon

YouTube - CRAM (Mini-gun) in Iraq

YouTube - Mortor attack &C-RAM


This gun is good for defence against these kinds of attacks..!

YouTube - Mortar attack on US base

 

[Thomas]

but theres counter to it ,
If the sensor suite is unable to detect the cruise missile , like if its made stealthy and painted with some evading stuff, then this system can be rendered useless.. further theres alot of R&D being done for those cruise missiles which are extremely terrain hugging , like they fly real close to the ground and if you add supersonic speed factor to that along with evading stuff then this system can be contoured.IMO

The projectal version is going to be more limited becuase of range. the missile version not so much. and as far as targeting the system is was specificly designed from it's early days to counter extreme low level missiles. Which the right type of radar can track. Currently I don't see a deployed cruise missile that can't be downed by CIWS (phalanx, sea ram). Not saying one isn't on the drawing board.

The sea based CIWS has been tested agianst supersonic threats. One advantage the Navy has is it's AEGIS defense system. Which gives CIWS an added tracking and firing advantage. However a land based Aegis system called Aegis ashore is in development. This will be able to network the CIWS and land based SM-3, and aircraft. As well as off shore navy ships.

 

[Chogy]

That same 20mm cannon is used in fighter jets. It's a real beast, with an insane rate of fire.

The new laser-based system has been shown to pop 3 mortar rounds in flight simultaneously. Stuff like that is definitely on the horizon.