According to information published by Yonhap News Agency on February 3, 2022, South Korea wants to buy six Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) from the United States.
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Phalanx CIWS of amphibious assault ship USS America (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The Phalanx CIWS is a close-in weapon system for defense against incoming threats such as small boats, surface torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and helicopters.
It was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division, later a part of Raytheon.
Consisting of a radar-guided 20 mm (0.8 in) Vulcan cannon mounted on a swiveling base, the Phalanx has been used by the United States Navy and the naval forces of 15 other countries.
The basis of the system is the 20 mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun autocannon, used by the United States military on various tactical aircraft since 1959, linked to a Ku band fire control radar system for acquiring and tracking targets.
