Mk 15 Phalanx Block 1B CIWS

The Mk 15 Phalanx Block 1B CIWS is a rapid-fire, radar-guided close-in weapon system designed to detect and destroy incoming anti-ship missiles and aircraft. This variant incorporates an electro-optical sensor and improved software, enhancing its capability to engage small surface craft and slow-moving airborne threats in addition to its primary anti-missile role.

Developed by Raytheon in the late 1990s, the Block 1B configuration was created to address the growing threat of asymmetric warfare, specifically fast-attack craft and unmanned aerial vehicles in littoral environments. The system officially entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, with the first operational installation completed aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Underwood. It has since seen extensive deployment worldwide, notably providing critical defense for coalition vessels during operations in the Persian Gulf and intercepting hostile drones and missiles in the Red Sea. Today, the Block 1B remains a cornerstone of shipboard self-defense for the U.S. Navy and over twenty allied nations, continually receiving updates to counter evolving hypersonic and swarm threats.