Babcock has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver four additional Phalanx 1B kits and four conversions of the land-based Phalanx weapon system in the original marinised configuration.

Raytheon will join Babcock in procuring the Phalanx 1B systems and carry out the land-based Phalanx weapon system conversions, further building up the Phalanx close-in weapon systems (CIWS) capability as per the requirements of the MoD and Royal Navy.

To be delivered under a modification to the existing support and upgrade contract, the latest deal follows a similar contract awarded in 2013 for four kits and two conversions.

"We are well-placed to support the MoD and Royal Navy in meeting this further Phalanx capability upgrade."

Babcock weapons business manager Martin Laity said: "Following the successful on-schedule delivery of a similar contract last year, we are delighted to have this further opportunity to apply our expertise and work with Raytheon to help the MoD and Royal Navy build the Phalanx CIWS capability it needs.

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"We are well-placed to support the MoD and Royal Navy in meeting this further Phalanx capability upgrade."

All systems under the contract are scheduled to be delivered by March 2015.

According to the MoD, three of the four Phalanx kits will bolster the defensive potential of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.

The Phalanx systems form part of a contract won by Babcock in 2006 to handle and carry out all maintenance support activities, including a 24/7 helpdesk for the Royal Navy, in addition to logistics support for spares and repairable units.

A rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system, Phalanx CIWS acts as the UK’s key defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles.

Integrating a side-mounted forward-looking infra-red camera (FLIR), the upgraded Phalanx 1B weapon system allows the CIWS to defend the vessel against surface targets, while slowing air targets and anti-ship missiles.