Footage of the Phalanx CIWS Closein Weapon System in various target practicing exercises.

The Phalanx CloseIn Weapons System (CIWS) was developed as the last line of automated weapons defense (terminal defense or point defense) against antiship missiles (AShMs), including highg and maneuvering seaskimmers. The basis of the system is the M61 Vulcan Gatling gun autocannon.

Consisting of a radarguided 20 mm (0.79 in) Gatling gun mounted on a swiveling base, the Phalanx has been used by Navies around the world.

The CIWS is designed to be the last line of defense against antiship missiles. Due to its design criteria, its effective range is very short relative to the range of modern ASMs, from 1 to 5 nautical miles (9 km). The gun mount moves at a very high speed and with great precision. The system takes minimal inputs from the ship, making it capable of functioning despite potential damage to the ship. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_CIWS) Credit: PO3 Samuel Souvannason, PO1 Henry Dunphy, SN David Flewellyn, SN Patrick Dionne. Additional editing: AiirSource

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