The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract to Babcock to deliver four Phalanx 1B kit modifications.

Under the contract, Babcock will also undertake two conversions of the land Phalanx Weapons System to its original marinised configuration in order to provide naval close-in weapon systems (CIWS) capability.

The four further 1B kits and two conversions will be delivered to the UK MoD under an amendment to the existing support and upgrade contract.

Babcock Weapons Business Development manager Martin Laity said: "Babcock is already known for weapon support work for the UK MoD and our expertise in the assembly, test and setting to work of naval weapon systems."

"The Phalanx CIWS is the UK’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles."

The Phalanx CIWS is the UK’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles. It is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system.

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"We hold long-term contracts to support the Phalanx CIWS and 4.5in Mk8 Mod1 gun, as well as upgrade contracts, and are well placed to support the MoD and Royal Navy in meeting this further Phalanx capability upgrade, and future gun system needs," Laity added.

The Phalanx 1B upgrade features a side-mounted forward looking infra-red camera (FLIR) to allow the CIWS to protect the host ship against surface targets, slow air targets as well as anti-ship missiles.

The company is also under contract to modernise 16 Phalanx systems to the 1B configuration in an on-going programme.

Babcock will undertake the conversion of the two land-based Phalanx weapon systems up on receiving Phalanx 1B systems from Raytheon by March 2014.

Defence Technology