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Phalanx Close-In Weapons Detection System

The Mk-15 Phalanx CIWS is a fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20mm gun system for short-range defense against aircraft or missiles. Each mount consists of the track radar section, the gun (six barrels) and the magazine, situated below the gun. The gun is able to fire more than 3,000 rounds per minute. The tracking system is designed to intercept incoming projectiles and cut them out of the sky before their target is reached.

When Coda Octopus Colmek met with Raytheon Engineers in Tucson, Arizona, discussions centered around how to cost-effectively solve a major obsolescence problem. The Phalanx, a system used on many U.S. warships, had a number of components which were fast-becoming outdated. Further exacerbating the problem was that many of the circuit card assemblies, back planes, graphics processors and chassis would not be supported by the original equipment manufacturer. Many of the components originally housed in the gun mounts had been moved to safer, more environmentally conducive areas of the ship, without developing a master implementation plan. The Block 1(B) version of the system was being tested and Raytheon needed assurances that parts and upgraded systems would be available upon fleet install.

Working closely with Raytheon Engineers in Tucson, Coda Octopus Colmek's staff redesigned the VME chassis, developed a twenty-row backplane which better suited the advanced processing capabilities of the Block 1(B) version of the system and incorporated an advanced monitoring program which could be accessed via an on-board data screen or remotely by laptop computer. Block 1B incorporates a side mounted Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) which enables CIWS to engage low slow or hovering aircraft and surface craft. Additionally, the FLIR assists the radar in engaging some ASCM's, bringing a greater chance of ship survivability. Block 1B uses a thermal imager Automatic Acquisition Video Tracker (AAVT) and stabilization system which provides surface mode and electro-optic (EO) angle track.

Further, Coda Octopus Colmek re-configured the chassis designing a push/pull ventilation system to accommodate the need for additional heat-transfer given the updated board speed. Coda Octopus Colmek then designed and produced a 100baseT media converter assembly effectively increasing system transfer rates by a factor of 10.

Raytheon Engineers remained concerned with the timing of delivery as they needed a working system for their customer within 12 weeks of order. Coda Octopus Colmek was able to negotiate large quantity discounts on sheet metal, custom board manufacture and component parts, saving Raytheon almost $6,000 per chassis off the original quoted price. By working closely with Raytheon, determining the critical design factors and which areas they viewed as cost-saving points of emphasis, Coda Octopus Colmek was able to design a VME chassis to last several generations while lowering production costs and delivering on schedule. Design efforts were performed in-house, custom boards were produced in-house, or by local vendors, and the overall system was assembled and quality checked at Coda Octopus Colmek's facility in Salt Lake City.

Our engineering staff is proud of the work completed and looks forward to a long-lasting relationship with Raytheon.