Close-in weapon system - Wikipedia
A close-in weapon system (CIWS / ˈsiːwɪz / SEE-wiz) [1] is a point-defense weapon system for detecting and destroying short-range incoming missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer …
Phalanx CIWS - Wikipedia
The CIWS is designed to be the last line of defense against anti-ship 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 (2 to …
MK 15 - Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) - United States Navy
Sep 20, 2021 · Features MK 15 Phalanx CIWS provides ships of the U.S. Navy with an inner layer point defense capability against anti-ship missiles (ASM), aircraft and littoral warfare threats that have...
Phalanx Weapon System | Raytheon - RTX
On land, the U.S. Army uses it to detect and counter rocket, artillery and mortar systems. The Phalanx weapon system carries out functions usually performed by multiple systems: search, detection, threat …
What is Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)? Uses, How It Works
Sep 10, 2025 · Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) are vital components of modern naval defense, designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming threats such as missiles and aircraft at close range.
Close-in Weapons Systems: The last line of defense
When a threat is seconds from impact, the close-in weapon system provides Navy ships with a final line of protection. Created for automated responses that exceed human reaction times, CIWS is the...
Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) - Navy Ship Defense
The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) defends navy ships against a variety of anti-ship threats.
The U.S. Navy's Last Line of Defense Is an Autonomous Gun That …
Jun 3, 2026 · The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) served as a vital last-ditch defense for U.S. warships combating Houthi anti-ship missiles and drones in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS)
Jan 9, 2003 · The MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS - pronounced "sea-whiz") is a fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20-millimeter gun system that provides US Navy ships with a terminal defense …
Phalanx CIWS: Why It Still Matters in Modern Naval Warfare
May 5, 2026 · Learn how the Phalanx CIWS works, its specs, history, and role as the Navy’s last line of defense against missiles, drones, and close-range threats.