SHIP WEAPONS
NAVAL GUNS
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All Phalanx systems will be upgraded to Block 1B, which
includes an integrated IR tracker and the Phalanx Surface
Mode. The IR improves the track quality, thereby increasing
the accuracy against missiles with more radical maneuvers
and enabling Phalanx to engage high-speed maneuvering
surface targets and slow-moving air targets. The Block 1B
thermal imager provides positive identification of surface and
slow-moving air targets. The Phalanx 1B program will capitalize on radar improvements generated through the SeaRAM
development program to improve reliability, reduce maintenance, address obsolescence and improve detection capability.
Block 1B also incorporates new Optimized Gun Barrels that
provide improved barrel life, decreased round dispersion and
increased engagement ranges. The Block 1B2 is the current
standard to which all are being modified.
The U.S. Army employs the CIWS in its Counter Rocket and
Mortar system. An adaptation of the Phalanx Block 1B, it supported an urgent requirement in Iraq for a land-based system
to counter mortar attacks.
WEIGHT: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; 12,500;pounds;above;deck;( 13,600;pounds;in;later;
HEIGHT:.................; 15. 6;feet
GUN:....................;M61A1;Gatling-type
AMMUNITION: . . . . . . . . . . ; 20mm;armor-piercing;;Block;1B,;20mm;tungsten-
enhanced;lethality;cartridge;with;heavier;penetrator
RANGE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; 4,000;yards;maximum;effective;range
MAGAZINE CAPACIT Y: . . . ; 1,550;rounds
FIRING;RATE: . . . . . . . . . . . . ; 4,500;rounds;per;minute
CONTRACTOR: . . . . . . . . . . ; Raytheon;Co.
TORPEDOES
MK46 TORPEDO
BRIEFING: The Mk46 torpedo, designed to attack high-
performance submarines, is the NATO standard and has
been acquired by more than 25 countries. The Mk46 has
various configurations to enable use by surface combatants,
fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms. Various modifica-
tions — including improved acoustics, guidance and control
upgrades, and countermeasure detection capability — have
been introduced into the weapon. U.S. Navy procurement of
the Mk46 ended in 1991.
In the early 1990s, a major system upgrade was developed
to improve weapon performance in shallow water. The resulting
Mk46 Mod 5A(S) torpedo — an active or passive/active, dual-
speed torpedo — is the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon
for surface ships and ASW fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
It also serves as the payload for the Vertical Launch ASROC.
In September 1996, the Mk46 Mod 5A(SW) Service Life
Extension Program torpedo was introduced to improve counter-
countermeasure performance, enhanced target acquisition, a
bottom-avoidance preset and improved maintainability and
reliability. The Mk46 is being replaced in the U.S. torpedo
inventory by the Mk54.
LENGTH: ................; 8. 5;feet
DIAME TER: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12. 8 inches
WEIGHT: ................;508;pounds
RANGE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; more;than; 1,000;yards;at;optimum;depth
POWER PLANT: . . . . . . . . . . ; liquid;propellant,;piston;engine
WARHEAD WEIGHT: . . . . . ; 96. 8;pounds,;high-explosive
CONTRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . ; Raytheon;Integrated;Defense;Systems
MK54 MAKO LIGHTWEIGHT TORPEDO
BRIEFING: The Mk54 Mako lightweight torpedo is designed
specifically for optimal performance against advanced, quiet
diesel/electric submarines operating in littoral or deep waters.
It integrates existing torpedo hardware with state-of-the-art,
commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) digital signal-processing
technology and open architecture design philosophy. The
design consists of Mk50 sonar, COTS guidance-and-control
assembly, Mk46 warhead, a variable-speed version of the
Mk46 propulsion system and advanced software algorithms
developed for the Mk50 and Mk48 Mod 6 torpedo programs.
The torpedo is simple and inexpensive to overhaul and has a
10-year maintenance cycle.
The Mk54 is the first all-digital lightweight torpedo, significantly enhancing options for weapon employment. The use
of COTS technology and open-systems architecture enables
the Mk54 to be cost-effectively upgraded to incorporate the
latest technology to counter evolving threats. Produced by the
same manufacturer as the Mk48 ADCAP (advanced capabilities)
torpedo, upgrades to the Mk54 have emphasized commonality
with heavyweight torpedo sensor and processing technology.
The Mk54 Mod 0 reached IOC in 2004. The Mk54 Mod 0
reached IOC on the Vertical Launch ASROC in 2010. Australia
has requested 100 Mk54s.
Future development will continue to provide improvements to shallow-water performance via software Advanced
Processor Build upgrades. The Mk54 Mod 1 adds a new sonar
array assembly and improved processing capability.
LENGTH: ................ 8. 9 feet
DIAME TER: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; 12. 75;inches
WEIGHT: ................608pounds
RANGE: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; more;than; 10,000;yards;at;optimum;depth
PROPULSION: . . . . . . . . . . . ; liquid;propellant,;piston;engine
WARHEAD WEIGHT: . . . . . ; 96. 8;pounds,;high-explosive
CONTRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . ; Raytheon;Integrated;Defense;Systems;
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MK 15 PHALANX CLOSE-IN WEAPON SYSTEM
