Raytheon begins modernisation work on Canadian Navy’s Phalanx CIWS

Raytheon Canada (RCL) has begun providing upgrades and in-service support for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Phalanx close-in weapon systems (CIWS).

The work is being carried out under a C$330m ($261.78m) contract that was initially awarded to the company in November last year by Public Services and Procurement Canada.

The deal will see RCL work in collaboration with Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services.

RCL will be responsible for providing maintenance, fleet technical support, repairs and upgrades for the Phalanx mounts in order to ensure that the systems are ready to meet current and emerging threats.

RCL vice-president and general manager Terry Manion said: “The Phalanx CIWS is an integral element of the Canadian Navy’s defence.

“This contract supports modernisation work that will keep these systems ready and relevant well into the future.”

Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system that was originally manufactured by Raytheon.

It is capable of destroying anti-ship missiles and other close-in threats, both on land and at sea.

The weapon system can automatically perform a wide range of functions such as search, detection, threat evaluation, tracking, engagement and kill assessment.

Work on the project is slated to be carried out at RCL’s facilities in Calgary, Canada.

The company has developed a total of 890 Phalanx CIWSs to date, which are used by a variety of different navies worldwide.