Raytheon contracted for Phalanx Gatling guns

The U.S. Army roughly awarded a roughly $205,2 million order to Raytheon Co. Missile Systems for Phalanx Gatling guns.

According to a statement, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Defense, Raytheon Missile Systems has been awarded a $205,2 million U.S. Army contract for the counter-rocket artillery mortar weapon system, called the Phalanx.

Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 27, 2023.

A Phalanx Gatling gun, most often used by naval ships to defend against incoming missiles and rockets, is a self-contained counter-rocket artillery mortar weapon system.

According to Raytheon, the Phalanx weapon system automatically carries out functions usually performed by multiple systems: search, detection, threat evaluation, tracking, engagement and kill assessment. 

Phalanx can be interfaced with a multitude of sensors and systems designed to provide an overarching protection umbrella of sites on the ground.

Phalanx uses six optimized gun barrels along with an integrated forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor suite. More stringent firing schedules are provided for by securing the six barrels at the muzzle, mid-barrel and breech, for more accuracy and a concentrated shot dispersion pattern.