How effective is a phalanx?
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How effective is a phalanx?
Phalanx has an effective range of about a mile. Its kill zone will be within a mile. The problem with the latter engagement is that 1 mile is very, very close to the ship. Even a successful engagement with 20-mm rounds, a cruise missile traveling 600 knots could continue kinetically and be dangerous.
How many rounds can a Phalanx shoot?
1,550 rounds
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Primary Function | Anti-ship missile defense |
| Magazine Capacity | 989 rounds Later models 1,550 rounds |
| Caliber | 20mm |
| Ammunition | Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS), Depleted Uranium or Tungsten sub-caliber penetrator. |
Why was the Macedonian phalanx effective?
The extreme length of the sarissa meant that up to five layers of pikes protruded ahead of the front man – allowing the phalanx to steamroll any opponent. So long as its rear and flank were protected, the formation was extremely powerful both as a defensive and an offensive weapon.
What is the Phalanx Close-in weapon system?
The ubiquitous Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) provides warships a last line of defence against missiles, aircraft and small boats. Upgraded over time, it has been in service for 38 years with the Royal Navy.
What is phalanx used for in military?
At sea, navies use Phalanx to defeat anti-ship missiles and close-in threats that have pierced other lines of defense. On land, the U.S. Army uses the weapon system to detect and counter rocket, artillery and mortar systems.
What is Raytheon’s Phalanx missile system?
As missile technology evolved, Raytheon has developed the Phalanx System in response. The original Block 0 system could take two men as long as 30 minutes to reload from pre-linked ammunition boxes.
What happened to the phalanx in the Gulf War?
During the first Gulf war in 1991, the Phalanx onboard USS Jarret in automatic mode fired at a chaff cloud launched by USS Missouri in response to an attack by an Iraqi Silkworm missile. Several rounds hit Missouri, fortunately without causing casualties and the Silkworm was destroyed by a Sea Dart fired by HMS Gloucester.