General Dynamics Awarded $18 Million Gun System Contract by Raytheon
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Charlotte, N. C. – Raytheon Missile Systems of Louisville, Ky., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products an $18 million contract to produce gun systems for the Phalanx Block 1B Close-In-Weapon System (CIWS) and the Centurion Land-Based Phalanx CIWS. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
The Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is an upgrade of the Phalanx CIWS. Phalanx is a fully autonomous, radar-directed, rapid-fire 20mm Gatling-gun system that provides naval ships with the last line of defense against a variety of threats including anti-ship missiles, aircraft, high-speed watercraft and other air and surface threats. The upgrade adds enhanced fire control capability, optimized gun barrels and an integrated Forward Looking Infrared system.
In the Centurion configuration, a Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is mounted on a stabilized wheeled platform to protect ground forces and high-value sites against rocket, artillery and mortar threats. Currently deployed by the United States and United Kingdom in the Global War on Terror, Centurion has successfully intercepted and destroyed more than 100 threats.
“The Phalanx is the only deployed close-in-weapon system capable of searching, tracking and engaging littoral warfare threats,” said Jo Ann Kramer, senior program manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.
The gun systems will be produced at General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products’ facility in Saco, Maine, with program management performed at the company’s Burlington, Vt.-based Technology Center, and testing conducted at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt. (@ GeneralDynamics)
