British engineering company Babcock has secured a three-year, 17.9-million pound ($21.8 million) contract with the British Royal Navy to support its Phalanx Close-In Weapon Support System (CIWS).
The contract covers critical logistics, obsolescence management, and availability and reliability checks at 41 CIWS installations, including nine overhauls and upgrades.
The force currently utilizes the gun as its Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers’ primary weapon against close-range threats such as aircraft, missiles, and small boats.
Revitalizing Defense Systems
The agreement is a part of the Ministry of Defence’s 10-year Equipment Plan, forecasting the country’s defense planning while shifting priorities to meet emerging threats.
“It’s vital the Royal Navy has the appropriate tools to fulfil its duties [at a time of] increased geopolitical instability,” Babcock Mission Systems CEO Neal Misell said.
“Babcock’s world-class weapons team plays a central role in ensuring the Royal Navy’s sailors and its ships are kept safe at sea,” he added.
A Trusted Capability
Aside from functioning as one of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s gun-based weapon systems, the CIWS is also installed on Albion-class landing platform ships, Type 45 destroyers, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The weapon system uses six-barreled M61 Vulcan Gatling cannons guided by Ku-band radar and Forward-Looking Infrared Radar.
Babcock has provided in-service support for the navy’s multiple Phalanx systems since 2006.