RTX Raytheon to upgrade shipboard air defense gun with infrared sensors to defeat missiles and aircraft

Summary points:

• U.S. Navy awards RTX a major contract to upgrade MK 15 CIWS with enhanced infrared targeting systems.
• Block 1B upgrade boosts capabilities against drones, fast attack boats, and low-flying aircraft.
• Upgraded CIWS to be deployed across U.S. Navy ships and 24 allied fleets by 2029.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy shipboard air defense experts are asking RTX Corp. to upgrade the MK 15 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) with stabilized infrared sensors under terms of a $205.1 million order announced in September.

Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington are asking the RTX Raytheon segment in Tucson, Ariz., to carry out CWIS upgrades, conversions, overhauls, and provide related equipment to bring CIWS up to the latest CIWS block 1B variant.

The Phalanx CIWS -- also known as "sea-wiz," is a fast-reaction radar-guided Gatling gun system installed on U.S. Navy surface combatants and allied nations' ships for defense against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, drones, and asymmetric threats such as small fast surface craft and helicopters.

Block 1B variants of this shipboard air-defense system add a stabilized electro-optical infrared sensor to enhance the system's capability to counter fast attack boats, helicopters, and uncrewed aircraft.

Shipboard Gatling gun

CIWS retains the M61A1 20mm Gatling gun, which can fire as quickly as 4,500 rounds per minute for missiles and aircraft, with a magazine of 1,550 rounds. CIWS is is installed on all major U.S. Navy surface combatants, as well as aboard the surface warships of 24 allied nations.

The system has undergone several upgrades since it first went to sea in 1980. Overhauls and conversions include MK 15 Mod 31 SeaRAM upgrade kits, which integrate missile defense capabilities into the system.

On this order, RTX Raytheon will do the work in Louisville, Ky.; El Segundo, San Diego, Pomona, and Palo Alto, Calif.; Tucson and Tempe, Ariz.; Andover, Mass.; Colchester, Vt.; Mason, Ohio; Grand Rapids, Mich; Norcross, Ga.; Ottobrunn Germany; Joplin, Mo.; Hauppauge, N.Y.; Grantsburg, Wis.; Exeter, N.H.; Galena, Kan.; and other locations, and should be finished by by January 2029.

For more information contact RTX Raytheon online at www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/sea/phalanx-close-in-weapon-system, or Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.