GD Awarded Gun System Contract By Raytheon

In the Centurion configuration, a Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is mounted on a stabilized wheeled platform to protect ground forces and high-value sites against rocket, artillery and mortar threats.




Charlotte NC (SPX) Nov 04, 2009
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $17 million contract to produce gun systems for the Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and the Centurion Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System by Raytheon Missile Systems of Louisville, Ky. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics.

The Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is the most recent upgrade of the Phalanx CIWS. Phalanx is a fully autonomous, radar-directed, rapid-fire 20mm Gatling-gun system that provides naval ships with the last line of defense against a variety of threats including anti-ship missiles, aircraft, high-speed watercraft and other air and surface threats.

The upgrade adds enhanced fire-control capability, optimized gun barrels and an integrated Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system.

In the Centurion configuration, a Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is mounted on a stabilized wheeled platform to protect ground forces and high-value sites against rocket, artillery and mortar threats. Currently deployed by the United States in overseas contingency operations, Centurion has successfully intercepted and destroyed more than 100 threats.

"The Phalanx is the only deployed close-in-weapon system capable of searching, tracking and engaging littoral warfare threats," said Jo Ann Kramer, program manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

Sea Based CIWS