The Royal Navy’s Phalanx guns are set to receive a substantial £18 million revamp.
Babcock has secured a three-year contract to maintain and enhance Phalanx CIWS.
Described as the penultimate line of defence for the Royal Navy fleet, the Phalanx system is capable of discharging a staggering 60 20mm armour-piercing rounds every second, which equates to 3,000 rounds a minute.
These guns are strategically installed on a range of vessels, including the four capital ships, all Type 45 destroyers, and a variety of support ships such as the RFA Tide-class tankers and RFA Argus.
In the press release, the Phalanx was highlighted for its ability to intercept not only aerial hazards but also, following recent modifications, ‘asymmetric threats’ like fast boats and jet skis on the water’s surface.
Babcock, with a longstanding relationship with the Phalanx system spanning 17 years, was quoted in the press release saying they have been entrusted with £17.9 million to “maintain, upgrade and provide spare parts for up to 41 weapon systems” over the next three years. Babcock’s weapons team, operating from Devonport, is also responsible for servicing other Royal Navy armaments, including the primary 4.5-inch guns.
Not sure how much life is left in this platform. As the speeds of Russian and Chinese missiles increase phalanx is just too short ranged. The debris from any intercepted missile is likely to still result in serious damage. The 40mm used on T31 might be a better option longer term, though not a simple like for like swap out unfortunately.
With upgrades, it’s still shockingly good. Several land based systems are used in the Middle East. They have successful defeating incoming supersonic missiles.
Upgrades won’t extend its range. That’s limited by the 20mm shells ability. Incoming debris from supersonic missiles will still hit the target ship like a giant shotgun.
Its a last ditch weapon. Any missiles would have to get through the world’s most capable integrated air defence system. And China or Russia haven’t proven a over the horizon kill chain against advanced warships moving at speed that are very good at not being found, and very good at defending themselves.
I don’t overdose on optimism juice. We don’t know for sure just how capable China’s systems are. I’d rather assume the worst than learn a devastating lesson we won’t recover from.
We’ve noticed 😄 China has a huge amount of unproven tech and capability and experience of using any of it. Our missile and radar capability like that on T45 is genuinely world-class, and I’d sleep well in my bunk if I was still serving with this kind of capability In the fleet. 👍
Certainly with its new upgrades, the T45 will throw up the best air defence umbrella in the world. That said, I would like to see the 40mm systems from the T31 added to the carriers and with a little surgery, added to the T45. People say the T31 will be two lightly armed ( it’s Sea Ceptor numbers should be at least the same as the outgoing T23), but, it’s combined 57 and 40mm systems will absolutely mince anything that gets within the ships engagement zone. A typical escort mission in the Straits of Hormuz comes to mind, a typical… Read more »
I believe I made this point the last time this article was published, 40 is longer ranged, more accurate and can be used more effectively in a wider array of roles, combining seahawk 30mm and Phalanx
Reposted article?
The RN Phalanx systems have been upgraded to Block 1B, adding electro optic sensors, an anti-surface mode and increasing rate of fire to 75 rounds/sec.
I still think it a shame, that the 25×184 upgrade for Phalanx, never went ahead.
I liked Goalkeeper with its 30mm cannon. Still lots more to do with sensors , ease of use etc.
There’s a Spanish gun meroka that uses 12 barrels in 2 lines of 6.
Some of the new Chinese systems are using 10 barrel rotary guns at 10,000 rpm.
The Chinese stuff is probably to make up for poor accuracy, there’s no need for 10,000 rpm unless you’re insecure about the rounds actually hitting the target
I am curious about the rows of 6 thing, could you explain in more detail how they reload etc?
I’ve been through internet trying to find this out before and I’m still not entirely sure. There’s a land based prototype that seems to have 2 drums But unsure how that works compared to navy version.
I will put links in another message. Will probably get held for approval
From Reddit post A Chinese site wrote that the system is compressed air operated(!). Six rounds are fetched from the two belt each cycle and loaded simultaneously. The belt is specially designed with spacing that match Meroka’s chamber spacing, allowing the cartridges to be directly loaded with single action.
Seems the concept of the Spanish meroka gun is similar to the old pom-pom 40mm guns from ww2- widely dispersed barrels firing over a wider platform gives a bigger firing arc and cone for interception.
I’m not sure it has much of an advantage over the phalanx, same calibre, less rate of fire 6,000rnds vs 1,400/ min. I think Phalanx is probably a superior system
Meroka CIWS – Wikipedia
The advantage of Meroka is that it do not have to ramp up the rate of fire, Phalanx from what i have read takes its time to rotate to maximum acceleration.
That’s cool, like Phalanx concept “Cone of Tungsten” but taken to an extreme?
Also, how do they get the ammo feeds for 12 barrels? The magazine must look like Chaos!
I’m not going to assume the Chinese stuff is less accurate. If the assumption is to put as much metal stuff in the way of the missile on its way to target then more bullets will equal more metal.
There was an Italian plan to have 2 x 7 barrel 25mm guns on a system for CIWS in the 1990s.
The beauty of Phalanx is that it is a plug and play system. So it can be rotated around the fleet. But importantly it uses its own organic sensors to detect and target threats. So if the ship’s principle air defence radar gets taken out or fails, Phalanx will still provide some protection. Yes, it might be a bit long in the tooth, but it must still be viewed as effective. Otherwise it would have been removed a while ago. Bearing in mind that this system is a last ditch defence. This is something that the T31 could suffer from,… Read more »
Morning DB, you’ve probably seen on the A140 MPNP for the T32 from Babcock (NL 26 Jun) theres two Phalanx’s, one either side of the Radar mast and a single rear 40mm. Looks a very useful design. Jeeze, DB, with all your experience you should a consultant to these firms!
I remember this one, as they had at DSEI l think last year. It was the show that I went to. One of the Babcock guys was demonstrating the modularity of the ship. By swapping modules around to make it a high end air defence ship. But one comment we made was that the placement of the Phalanx would be impeded by the location of the funnels. Which he answered, would be fitted to extensions that allow the Phalanx to see past the funnel. In discussions with the Babcock representatives, we had a play with the ship and its modules.… Read more »
Whatever happened to Goal keeper? Surely 7 barrels firing 30mil would have been the better option to go with?
Dutch abandoned it for 76mm with guided shells and RAM missiles. I guess it is the same reason Italians abandoned the 40mm Breda Bofors: range.
One assumes it doesn’t still fire at chaff clouds which led to “friendly fire” deaths in operational use.