// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
CIWS
CIWS, pronounced 'sea-whiz', stands for Close-In Weapon System and is a rapid-fire gun or missile system mounted on warships for defense against incoming anti-ship missiles and aircraft at very close ranges.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is an autonomous, radar-guided naval point-defense system designed to detect, track, and engage incoming anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and small surface threats at short ranges, typically employing a high rate-of-fire rotary cannon or guided missiles.
BACKGROUND
The Phalanx CIWS is an automated gun-based "Close-In Weapon System" to defend military watercraft automatically against incoming threats such as aircraft, missiles, and small boats. 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 U.S. Navy deploys it on every class of surface combat ship, except the Zumwalt-class destroyer and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. Other users include the British Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Phalanx
- Goalkeeper
- SeaRAM
- point-defense system
- last-ditch defense
USAGE NOTE
CIWS is considered a ship's final line of defense against threats that have penetrated outer defensive layers.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to CIWS.
Developer of the highly prevalent Phalanx CIWS, a radar-guided, 20mm Gatling gun system for close-in defense against anti-ship missiles and aircraft.
Develops a range of naval defense systems, including naval guns like the OTO Melara 76mm and 127mm which can serve in CIWS roles, and the Marlin WS modular weapon station.
Producer of advanced air defense systems, including the Oerlikon Millennium Gun, a 35mm revolver cannon CIWS designed for naval point defense.
A Turkish defense company that develops and manufactures the Gökdeniz CIWS, a naval close-in weapon system featuring a 35mm twin-barrel gun.
A global technology company involved in naval combat systems, sensors, and radar technology that are critical for the detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities of CIWS.
A leading defense contractor involved in naval armaments, including naval gun systems that can be integrated into ship defense architectures alongside or as part of CIWS.
Provides advanced naval combat management systems and radar solutions, such as the Sea Giraffe radar, which are essential for target acquisition and fire control for CIWS.