The Navy has awarded Raytheon [RTN] a contract totaling $57.8 million to overhaul and upgrade nine Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and manufacture two Searam anti-ship missile defense systems, the company said in a statement.
The agreement also includes the purchase of 20 radar upgrade kits.
Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. The Searam uses advanced Phalanx Block 1B sensors and an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile guide to enlarge Phalanx’s keep-out range against evolving anti-ship missile, rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and other threats.
Searam is aboard the USS Independence (LCS 2) and USS Coronado (LCS 4) and will soon be in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.