Tuesday, March 20, 2012 USS Reid (FFG 30) This photo is taken on the top deck which forms the roof of the LAMPS helecopter hangar on the Perry class frigates. The photo is of the Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System), located at the stern end of the deck. The Phalanx CIWS was developed as a close-in system to defend ships against anti-ship missiles. I remember when the first system was tried in 1973. Production started in 1978. Some statistics about the Phalanx CIWS system on the USS Reid - Designed by General Dynamics Production start - 1978 Height - 15 feet 5 inches Weight - 12,500 pounds Vulcan 6 barrel gattling gun Caliber - 20 mm. Barrel length - 59.8 inches (L76) Shell - tungsten with discarding sabot, or high explosive Elevation - -10 to +80 degrees, @ 86 degrees/second Traverse - 150 degrees in each direction (=300 degrees total), @ 100 degrees/second Rate of fire - 50 to 75 rounds per second Muzzle velocity - 3,600 feet/second Range - 11,800 feet Ammo storage - 1,550 rounds Control - by human operator or fully automatic Since this design, the Phalanx CIWS system has been upgraded several times. Today there is even a CIWS anti-missile system called SeaRAM against super-sonic anti-ship missiles which fits into the CIWS mount and targeting system. Enjoy!