PHALANX

PHALANX PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Phalanx CIWS is a close-in weapon system for defense against anti-ship missiles. It was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division (now a part of Raytheon). If a missile slips past a ship’s defenses, then rapid-fire gun system Phalanx destroys the threat before it can strike – this is the “last-chance” defense system for military vessels.

 

GENERAL DATES

 

DATES WITH PIONEER

 

  • Phalanx Block 0 production started in 1978 with orders for 23 USN and 14 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) systems.
  • As of February 2007, about 900 Phalanx systems have been built and deployed in the navies of 22 nations. More than 3 million rounds of ammunition have been manufactured specifically for these weapons.
  • 2007: First Phalanx order placed by 480-DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC
  • 2012: 658-Ducommun LaBarge Technologies, Inc. – MO places first booking

 

 

CUSTOMERS ON PROGRAM

 

SUPPLIERS

 

  •  480-DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC
  • 658-Ducommun LaBarge Technologies, Inc. – MO places first booking

 

  • The Phalanx weapon system is installed on all U.S. Navy surface combatant ship classes and on those of 24 allied nations.
  • Designer General Dynamics (now Raytheon)
  • Manufacturer General Dynamics (now Raytheon)

ANNUAL REVENUE HISTORY

 

PROGRAM HISTORY

 

Year Extended Price
2007 $528,470
2008 $6,717
2009 $688,563
2010 $450,779
2011 $13,718
2012 $249,125
2013 $164,537
2014 $103,473
2015 $402,510
2016 $399,519
2017 $5,770
  • Phalanx is somewhat notorious for having maintenance problems, with the Navy’s Material Readiness Database for fiscal years 1997 through 1999 noting that Phalanx Block 1B (all mods) had an availability rate of between 72 and 81% for this time period.
  • As of Feb 28/07, more than 895 Phalanx systems had been built and deployed in the navies of 22 nations.
  • Raytheon has won a $65 million contract to provide engineering and technical support services for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), and Land-based Phalanx Weapon System and the SeaRAM. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $398.6 million. Work is expected to be completed by January 2018.

CURRENT & FUTURE NEWS

 

  • December 23/16: The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a $64.6 million contract to perform technical support services external link external link for several of the service’s naval anti-ship weapon systems. Systems included in the work are the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), the SeaRAM external link external link, and the Land-based Phalanx Weapon System, and the contract also involves foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Canada, Britain, South Korea, Portugal, and Greece. Work is expected to be completed by January 2018, and the deal is comprised of options which, if exercised, have the potential to raise the contract value to $398 million.
  • The Royal Australian Navy is building three Hobart-class anti-air warfare destroyers equipped with the Baseline 8 version of the Aegis Combat System. The ships will be armed with the SM-2, the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and the Phalanx close-in weapon system.
  • Japan is building its sixth and seventh guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) and they will receive the Baseline 9 Aegis system. These ships potentially will be armed with a mixture of SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6s, plus ESSM and the Phalanx gun.
  • The Republic of Korea is building three KDX Batch 2 destroyers with Baseline 9, enabling them to be armed with a mixture of SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6s and the Phalanx gun.

PHALANX Latest News

  • U.S. Navy and U.S. Army order more Phalanx guns September 30, 2026 8:12 am Defence Blog Key Points Raytheon received a $247.1 million contract to produce, upgrade and overhaul Phalanx, Land-based Phalanx and SeaRAM systems for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. The sole-source award runs through September 2030, with a third of the work in …
  • A phalanx of unelected commissioners September 16, 2026 11:45 pm The Spectator Australia I am often in the car around 5 p.m., having helped with the school/kinder pickup. It’s a great joy hanging out with the young’uns, so I am always in a good mood when I hit the start button. By the end of my trip, my temper has worsened, having listened …
  • The RNLI: achingly obvious irony will be lost on the angry phalanx of seaboard warriors September 10, 2026 12:15 pm Yorkshire Post By James Mitchinson, editor Published 10th Sep 2026, 12:02 BST I will not draw your attention to the account, it isn’t worth a moment of your time, but one post I stumbled across on social media, that has been enthusiastically reposted (the equivalent of …
  • Patterson calls on the Global South to forge ‘A Single Phalanx’ in centenary tribute to Fidel Castro Ruz August 12, 2026 3:45 am Jamaica Observer Fidel Castro retires from leadership in Cuba on February 24, 2008. He is replaced by his brother Raul. (File) KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former Prime Minister P J Patterson has urged the nations of the Global South to abandon “national separatism and division” …
  • Why Holloway's 'phalanx-like' tactics should have Town excited for the season August 7, 2026 10:50 am Swindon Advertiser This summer, Ian Holloway has gone about reasserting his principles and looking to institute a clear identity into his Swindon team, turning a side that seemed stylistically lost in the second half of last season into one that is defined by its high …