Date Posted: 29/01/2010

Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) is participating in the Pacific 2010 International Maritime Conference at Darling Harbour in Sydney, Australia.

The conference is a unique opportunity for RMS to provide those involved in maritime and naval affairs around the world an opportunity to discuss and learn about our latest developments in design, naval architecture, engineering, science and technology.

The world’s most-used ship self-defense system will be on display during the conference: Raytheon’s Phalanx Close-In Weapon System.
Three Phalanx Block 1B systems are being built for the Royal Australian Navy’s new Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD). The initial system will be delivered in May for installation on the first AWD.

“The low-elevation sensor capability of our world-class Ku-band radars coupled with Phalanx’s thermal imager will provide unparalleled ship self-defense protection,” said Todd Callahan, Raytheon’s Close-In Defense Solutions director. “Additionally, Phalanx Block 1B will give Australian commanders the ability to interface with other shipboard gun and missile systems to defeat extended-range air and surface targets.”

Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. More than 890 systems have been built and deployed in the navies of 24 nations.

“The Phalanx Block 1B provides a reliable day and night, passive search and track capability in near-shore, littoral environments,” Callahan said. “It will deliver protection to crews of the Air Warfare Destroyers against an increased number of threats including small, fast gunboats; standard and guided artillery; helicopters; mines; and a variety of shore-launched, anti-ship missiles.”