Phalanx weapon system

A 20mm canon and radar tracking system design for defense against targets that have gotten past primary missile defenses. The canon functions as Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) designed to defeat incomming anti-ship missiles, such as the French Exocet and the American AGM-84 Harpoon. It was developed in the 1970s and 80s for use by ships of the US Navy, though many navies have adopted it for last-ditch missile defense on their ships.

The system is comprised of a rapid-fire multi-barrel 20mm canon loaded with depleted uranium bullets slewed to a connected radar dome. Once the system is armed, it will automatically aquire and engage missiles entering into their terminal runs.

Another page about this weapon system is found here.

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