All Phalanx systems will be upgraded to Block 1B, which includes an integrated IR tracker and the Phalanx Surface Mode. The IR improves the track quality, thereby increasing the accuracy against missiles with more radical maneuvers and enabling Phalanx to engage high-speed maneuvering surface targets and slow-moving air targets. The Block 1B thermal imager provides positive identification of surface and slow-moving air targets. The Phalanx 1B program will capitalize on radar improvements generated through the SeaRAM development program to improve reliability, reduce maintenance, address obsolescence and improve detection capability. Block 1B also incorporates new Optimized Gun Barrels that provide improved barrel life, decreased round dispersion and increased engagement ranges. The Block 1B2 is the current standard to which all are being modified.
The U.S. Army employs the CIWS in its Counter Rocket and Mortar system. An adaptation of the Phalanx Block 1B, it supported an urgent requirement in Iraq for a land-based system to counter mortar attacks.
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the Mk46 ended in 1991.
for surface ships and ASW fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
It also serves as the payload for the Vertical Launch ASROC.
MK54 MAKO LIGHTWEIGHT TORPEDO BRIEFING: The Mk54 Mako lightweight torpedo is designed specifically for optimal performance against advanced, quiet diesel/electric submarines operating in littoral or deep waters. It integrates existing torpedo hardware with state-of-the-art, commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) digital signal-processing technology and open architecture design philosophy. The design consists of Mk50 sonar, COTS guidance-and-control assembly, Mk46 warhead, a variable-speed version of the Mk46 propulsion system and advanced software algorithms developed for the Mk50 and Mk48 Mod 6 torpedo programs. The torpedo is simple and inexpensive to overhaul and has a 10-year maintenance cycle.
The Mk54 is the first all-digital lightweight torpedo, significantly enhancing options for weapon employment. The use of COTS technology and open-systems architecture enables the Mk54 to be cost-effectively upgraded to incorporate the latest technology to counter evolving threats. Produced by the same manufacturer as the Mk48 ADCAP (advanced capabilities) torpedo, upgrades to the Mk54 have emphasized commonality with heavyweight torpedo sensor and processing technology.
The Mk54 Mod 0 reached IOC in 2004. The Mk54 Mod 0 reached IOC on the Vertical Launch ASROC in 2010. Australia has requested 100 Mk54s.
Future development will continue to provide improvements to shallow-water performance via software Advanced Processor Build upgrades. The Mk54 Mod 1 adds a new sonar array assembly and improved processing capability.