Here is some ultr-cool video of Israel shooting down Islamo-Fascist rockets with their R2D2's (20mm rounds) - Part of the Iron Dome System . . . You shipboard Navy/Marine Corps guys have seen and heard this effective piece of gear I'm sure. Sounds like a chain saw. This is the land version, so you Army guys will probably know about this as well.
Phalanx uses closed loop spotting and target prioritizing. The search radar identifies the target at 10 nautical miles and the software begins tracking. At the same time, the software compares the target track against its threat logic. The threat logic determines the priority assigned to the target. Phalanx does not recognize an IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) signal from an on-board transponder on friendly aircraft. Instead, the target threat software makes the decision to engage or not and the priority of engagement.
Target assignment and priority are done at five miles and engagement begins at or about two miles. Once the software determines that the threat is in range, the gun opens fire. The tracking (fire control) radar monitors the outbound projectile stream. Closed loop spotting is used; that is, the outbound projectile stream is compared to the inbound target track and the gun drives are adjusted to move the projectile stream onto the target. Usually, the third projectile out the barrel is on target.
Phalanx considers the target “killed” when it disappears from the radar (blows up or crashes into the sea – a “hard kill”) or if there is an abrupt change in target speed and direction that accompanies a breakup of the target’s airframe (a “soft kill”). Once a hard or soft kill on the target is made, Phalanx will engage the next threat. Up to six threats can be processed at a time.
Engagement criteria.1. Is the range of the target increasing or decreasing relative to the ship? CIWS discards outbound targets. Only inbound targets are considered.
2. Can the contact maneuver to hit the ship? CIWS considers target heading in relation to the ship and its speed when determining whether it can hit the ship.
3. Does the target speed fall within engagement minimum and maximum speeds? CIWS will not engage targets outside these minimum and maximum limits. However, the CIWS operator can adjust the limits manually.
Engagement scenario.1. Phalanx is turned ON and in AUTO mode, with its magazine loaded and ammunition fed to the gun.
2. Search radar acquires inbound threat at 10 miles; Phalanx software starts track, assigns priority.
3. Search radar continues track; software confirms threat; fire control radar locks onto target at five miles.
4. About two miles (or at optimal range assigned by software) gun opens fire on Threat 1 and continues until a hard or soft kill is achieved.
5. Phalanx switches to engage Threat 2 or ceases fire.
6. Phalanx continues to search for threats.
7. Phalanx drum is reloaded at first opportunity.
Phalanx Development History
