Phalanx CIWS 팰렁스 In Action - US Navy's Deadly Laser Cannons! 근접방어 시스템 M61 Vulcan and GAU-8 Avenger
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팰렁스 CIWS(Phalanx CIWS)는 미국 레이시온에서 제작한 CIWS이다. 1980년 부터 실전배치되었다. 1959년 부터 실전배치된 벌컨포에 첨단 레이다를 장착했다.
1991년 2월 25일 걸프전에서 팰렁스를 장착한 USS Jarrett (FFG-33)함은 미주리호와 영국 구축함 Gloucester호에서 몇 마일 떨어져 있었다. 영국 구축함은 이라크가 발사한 실크웜 미사일의 공격을 받았다.
미주리호에서 Mark 36 SRBOC 채프를 발사했다. Jarrett함의 팰렁스는 자동 목표물 획득 모드로 작동시켰다. 미주리의 채프를 조준한 팰렁스가 오발을 했으며, 4발의 팰렁스 탄환이 2~3 마일(약 5 km) 떨어진 미주리호에 명중했다. 부상자는 없었다.[1]
영국 구축함 Gloucester호에서 발사한 시다트 미사일로 이라크의 실크웜 미사일을 요격했다. 이것은 해전에서 미사일대 미사일로 성공적인 요격을 한 첫 번째 사례이다.
Japanese destroyer Yügiri
1996년 6월 4일 훈련중이던 일본 해상자위대 구축함이 실수로 미국의 A-6 인트루더 공격기를 격추시켰다. 팰렁스를 장착한 아사기리급 구축함 요기리호에서 실수로 목표물 대신 인트루더기를 조준했다. 2명의 조종사는 안전하게 탈출했다.[2] 사고 조사 결과, 요기리호의 담당장교가 A-6기가 팰렁스 CIWS의 요격가능한 각도 밖으로 나가기 전에 발사명령을 내린 것으로 밝혀졌다.
일본판 독도함인 휴우가급, 일본판 세종대왕급 이지스함인 곤고급, 아타고급, 시스패로 구축함인 아사기리급, 타카나미급, 시라네급, 스탠다드 구축함인 타치카제급은 모두 20mm M61 Vulcan 개틀링포를 사용하는 미국 레이시온의 팰렁스 CIWS를 사용한다.
반면에 대한민국의 독도함, 세종대왕함, 시스패로 구축함인 광개토대왕급, 스탠다드 구축함인 충무공이순신급은 모두 네덜란드의 골키퍼 CIWS를 사용한다. 골키퍼 CIWS는 A-10 썬더볼트 II에 장착하는 30 mm GAU-8 어벤저 개틀링포를 사용한다.
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The Phalanx CIWS (pronounced "sea-wiz") is a close-in weapon system for defense against incoming threats such as small boats, surface torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and helicopters. It was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division,[3] later a part of Raytheon. Consisting of a radar-guided 20 mm (0.8 in) Vulcan cannon mounted on a swiveling base, the Phalanx has been used by the United States Navy and the naval forces of 15 other countries. The US Navy deploys it on every class of surface combat ship, except the Zumwalt-class destroyer and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.[5] Other users include the British Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the US Coast Guard (aboard its Hamilton- and Legend-class cutters).
A land variant, known as the LPWS (Land Phalanx Weapon System), part of the C-RAM system, has recently been deployed in a short range missile defense role, to counter incoming rockets, artillery and mortar fire.[6] The U.S. Navy also fields the SeaRAM system, which pairs the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile with sensors based on the Phalanx.
Because of their distinctive barrel-shaped radome and their automated nature of operation, Phalanx CIWS units are sometimes nicknamed "R2-D2" after the famous droid character from the Star Wars films
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The Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) was developed as the last line of automated weapons defense (terminal defense or point defense) against all incoming threats, including small boats, surface torpedoes, antiship missiles (AShMs or ASMs) and attacking aircraft, including high-g and maneuvering sea-skimmers.
The Phalanx prototype on USS King in 1973.
The first prototype system was offered to the U.S. Navy for evaluation on the destroyer leader USS King in 1973 and it was determined that additional improvements were required to improve performance and reliability. Subsequently, the Phalanx Operational Suitability Model successfully completed its Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) on board the destroyer USS Bigelow in 1977.[2] The model exceeded operational maintenance, reliability, and availability specifications. Another evaluation successfully followed, and the weapon system was approved for production in 1978. Phalanx production started with orders for 23 USN and 14 foreign military systems. The first ship fully fitted out was the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea in 1980. The Navy began placing CIWS systems on non-combatant vessels in 1984.
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The basis of the system is the 20 mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun autocannon, used since 1959, by the United States military on various tactical aircraft, linked to a Ku band fire control radar system for acquiring and tracking targets. This proven system was combined with a purpose-made mounting, capable of fast elevation and traverse speeds, to track incoming targets. An entirely self-contained unit, the mounting houses the gun, an automated fire-control system and all other major components, enabling it to automatically search for, detect, track, engage, and confirm kills using its computer-controlled radar system. Owing to this self-contained nature, Phalanx is ideal for support ships, which lack integrated targeting systems and generally have limited sensors. The entire unit has a mass between 12,400 to 13,500 lb (5,600 to 6,100 kg).
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