Aclose-in weapon system (CIWS/ˈsiːwɪz/SEE-wiz)[1] is apoint-defense weapon system for detecting and destroying short-range incomingmissiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses, typically mounted on anaval ship. Nearly all classes of larger modernwarships along with many other warships are equipped with some kind of CIWS device.
There are mainly three types of CIWS systems: gun-based CIWS, missile-based CIWS, and hybrid gun- and missile-based CIWS. A gun-based CIWS usually consists of a combination ofradars, computers, and rapid-firingmultiple-barrelrotary cannons placed on a rotatingturret. Missile-based CIWSs use eitherinfra-red,passive radar/ESM, orsemi-active radarterminal guidance to guide missiles to the targeted enemy aircraft or other threats. In some cases, CIWS are used on land to protect military bases. In this case, the CIWS can also protect the base from shell and rocket fire.
A gun-based CIWS usually consists of a combination of radars, computers androtary orrevolver cannon placed on a rotating, automatically aimed gun mount. Examples of gun-based CIWS products in operation are:
CIWS systems are short range: the maximum effective range of gun systems is about 5,000 metres (16,000 ft); systems with lighter projectiles have even shorter range. The expected real-world kill-distance of an incoming anti-ship missile is about 500 m (1,600 ft) or less,[4] still close enough to cause damage to the ship's sensor or communication arrays, or to wound or kill exposed personnel. Thus some CIWS like RussianKashtan and Pantsir systems are augmented by installing the close rangesurface-to-air missiles on the same mounting for increased tactical flexibility.
They have a limited kill probability compared to other anti-air guns. Even if the missile is hit and damaged, this may not be enough to destroy it entirely or to alter its course. Even in the case of a direct hit, the missile or fragments from it may still impact the intended target, particularly if the final interception distance is short. This is especially true if the gun fireskinetic-energy-only projectiles.[5]
| DARDO[6] | Goalkeeper | Kashtan[7] | Millennium[citation needed] | Phalanx[8] | Type 730[9] | Gökdeniz[10][11] | OSU-35K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Italy | Netherlands | Russia | Germany | United States | China | Turkey | Poland |
| Image | .jpg) |  | | .jpg) |  | _Frigate_-_Type_1130_CIWS_-_Side_View.jpg) |  |  |
| Weight | 5,500 kg (12,100 lb) | 9,902 kg (21,830 lb) | 15,500 kg (34,200 lb) | 3,300 kg (7,300 lb) | 6,200 kg (13,700 lb) | 9,800 kg (21,600 lb) | ? | 3,300 kg (7,300 lb) |
| Armament | 40 mm (1.6 in) 2 barreledBofors 40 mm | 30 mm (1.2 in) 7 barreledGAU-8 Gatling Gun | x2 30 mm (1.2 in) 6 barreledGSh-6-30 rotary auto cannon 8 ×9M311K + 32 missiles | 35 mm (1.4 in) 1 barreledOerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun System | 20 mm (0.79 in) 6 barreledM61 Vulcan Gatling Gun | 30 mm (1.2 in) 7 barreled Gatling Gun | 35 mm (1.4 in) 2 barreledOerlikon 35 mm twin cannon | 35 mm (1.4 in) 1 barreled Oerlikon KDA autocannon |
| Rate of fire | 600/900 rounds per minute | 4,200 rounds per minute | 10,000 rounds per minute (5,000 per gun) 1–2 (salvo) missiles per 3–4 sec | 200/1000 rounds per minute | 4,500 rounds per minute | 5,800 rounds per minute | 1,100 rounds per minute (550 per gun) | 550 rounds per minute |
| (effective/ flat-trajectory) Range | 4,000 m (13,000 ft) | 3,500 m (11,500 ft) | Missiles: 1,500–10,000 m (4,900–32,800 ft) Guns: 300–5,000 m (980–16,400 ft) | 3,500 m (11,500 ft) | 2,000 m (6,600 ft) | 3,000 m (9,800 ft) | ATOM 35mm:[12] 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) | FAPDS: 5,000 m (16,000 ft) ABM:3,500 m (11,500 ft) |
| Ammunition storage | 736 rounds | 1,190 rounds | 2 × 2,000 rounds | 252 rounds | 1,550 rounds | 640 or 2 × 500 rounds (depending on model) | ? | 2 × 100 rounds |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,000 m (3,300 ft) per second | 1,109 m (3,638 ft) per second | 960–1100 m/s (3,150-3,610 ft/s) | 1,050 m (3,440 ft) per second / 1,175 m (3,855 ft) per second | 1,100 m (3,600 ft) per second | 1,100 m (3,600 ft) per second | 1,020 m/s (3,300 ft/s) | FAPDS: 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) ABM:1,050 m/s (3,400 ft/s) |
| Elevation | −13 to +85 degrees | −25 to +85 degrees | ? | −15 to +85 degrees | −25 to +85 degrees | −25 to +85 degrees | ? | −10 to +85 degrees |
| Speed in elevation | 60 degrees per second | 100 degrees per second | 50 degrees per second | 70 degrees per second | 115 degrees per second | 100 degrees per second | ? | ? |
| Traverse | 360 ° | 360 ° | 360 ° | 360 ° | 360 ° | 360 ° | 360 ° | 360 ° |
| Speed in traverse | 90 degrees per second | 100 degrees per second | 70 degrees per second | 120 degrees per second | 115 degrees per second | 100 degrees per second | ? | ? |
| In service | ? | 1980 | 1989 | 2003 | 1980 | 2007 | 2019 | 2022 |
A missile-based CIWS comprises a combination of radars and computers connected to either a rotating, automatically aimed launcher mount orvertical launching system. Examples of missile-based CIWS in operational service are:
Examples of gun-missile-based CIWS in operational service are:
CIWS are also used on land in the form ofPantsir andC-RAM.[15] On a smaller scale,active protection systems are used in sometanks (to destroyrocket propelled grenades (RPGs), and several are in development. TheDrozd system was deployed onSoviet Naval Infantry tanks in the early 1980s, but later replaced byexplosive reactive armour. Other systems that are available or under development are the RussianArena, IsraeliTrophy, AmericanQuick Kill and South African-SwedishLEDS-150.
Laser-based CIWS systems are being researched. In August 2014 an operational prototype was deployed to the Persian Gulf aboardUSS Ponce.[16] TheScientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Turkish:Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, TÜBİTAK) is the second organisation after the US to have developed and tested a High Power Laser CIWS prototype System which is intended to be used on theTF-2000 class frigate and on Turkish airborne systems.[17][18][19]
