Article Posted on : - May 21, 2012

A Raytheon photo.

LOUISVILLE (BNS): The US Navy has awarded a contract to Raytheon to upgrade nine Phalanx close-in weapon systems, and manufacture two SeaRAM anti-ship missile defence systems.

The contract, totaling $57.8 million, also includes the purchase of 20 radar upgrade kits.

The Phalanx weapon system consists of a 6 barreled radar controlled 20 mm machine gun that can fire up to 75 rounds of hardened steel bullets a second (4500 per minute). The rapid-fire weapon system can automatically acquire, track and destroy enemy threats, and is designed to counter all types of air and surface threats in naval environment.

Intended to enlarge Phalanx's keep-out range against evolving anti-ship missiles, rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and other threats, the SeaRAM uses advanced Phalanx Block 1B sensors and replaces the gun with an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile guide.

SeaRAM has armed the Navy's USS Independence (LCS 2) and USS Coronado (LCS 4), and will soon be in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.