- Yes
- No
History
The Phalanx CIWS, which entered service in 1980, served as last-ditch defensive measure of U.S. Navy vessels for more than four decades. Originally it was designed to intercept anti-ship missiles that survived from surface-to-air missiles, but it found to be available for other purposes.
After invasion of Iraq in 2003, the U.S. Army encountered several rocket and mortar attacks on bases. These man-portable weapons were difficult to detect signs of attack, and the U.S. Army had no such system to counter them at that time. So the Army requested for anti-projectile system known as Centurion Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) in May 2004. As a result, the ground-based Phalanx CIWS was selected, and deployed to Iraq in 2005.
In 2010, Raytheon and Oshkosh developed alternate version of C-RAM called Mobile Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (MLPWS). The MLPWS demonstrator well performed live-fire and off-road tests, but was not adopted by the U.S. Army.
Design
MLPWS is simply the HEMTT A3 with the Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS).
Unlike the Centurion C-RAM, MLPWS does not utilizes semitrailer.
Propulsion
The HEMTT A3 is a diesel-electric hybrid variant of HEMTT family. It uses 470 hp diesel engine, 340 kW generator, and 480VAC induction drive motors. These provides enhanced mobility compared to previous versions.
Protection
About HEMTT RECAP
Original HEMTT series vehicles before RECAP upgrade were not armored well. The add-on armor called CPAK provides protection against 7.62×51 mm M80 Ball projectile and artillery fragments. This kit adds 3,145 lb (1,426 kg) of weight.
HEMTT A3 provides enhanced protection with integrated under cabin composite called LTAS A-kit. If needed, LTAS B-kit with higher protection would be applied.
Armament
The LPWS is basically a ground version of Mk 15 Phalanx Block IB. It uses a barrel that is 19 inches (48.3 cm) longer than the original M61 Vulcan, giving it more muzzle velocity and range.
Compared to the original Phalanx, the main difference is the updated software to intercept rockets, artillery, and mortar shells. Though its primary mission is C-RAM, it is still capable of intercept cruise missiles and low-altitude slow-speed aircrafts.
The LPWS retains the man-in-the-loop capability which was added in Phalanx Block IB. Though the LPWS has an autonomous mode, it lacks an IFF and will attack any approaching object that meets the target criteria. This is one of the reasons why there is a manual mode.
In the case of the MLPWS, Original weapon group of the Phalanx has been split into two for vehicle configuration. The barbette assembly which contains radar transmitter, transmitter power supply, pneumatic storage and compressor, is placed at rear of the vehicle along with the electronic enclosure.
The specific reason for this layout is unknown, but it likely has something to do with the overall height and center of gravity.
Ammunitions
The LPWS uses M940 MPT-SD is to prevent collateral damage from falling shots. M940 features higher velocity and longer self-destruction range than legacy M246 HEI-TSD, extending effective range beyond 2 km.
Hardware of the LPWS is 99.9% common with the Phalanx, so it is also capable of firing MK 149 and Mk 244 APDS.
Sensors
Just like original Phalanx, LPWS has a radar housing which contains J band digital MTI search radar and monopulse doppler track radar.
When the radar is not available, FLIR could be used for target track and fire control.
In-game position
The closest in-game vehicle to the MLPWS is the M163. Both vehicles use the 20mm Vulcan as their primary weapon and are very lightly armored.
In terms of anti-air performance, the MLPWS has many advantages. It is still limited by the 20 mm caliber, so the increase in effective range would be marginal. However it has better radar for target detection and engagement, so it would be definitely more effective in anti-air purpose.
The MLPWS is larger and twice as heavy as the M163, but its engine is more than twice as powerful. This gives it a power-to-weight ratio that surpasses the M1128 and LAV-AD.
Overall, the MLPWS is roughly equivalent to the ZSU-37-2 or ZSU-23-4, but not quite up to the Gepard.
Specifications
Crew: 2 or 3
Length: 401 in (10.17 m)
Width: 96 in (2.44 m)
Height (w/o LPWS): 112 in (2.84 m)
Weight (approx.): 48,600 lbs (22.04 t) (HEMTT A3 35,000 lbs + Phalanx CIWS 13,600 lbs)
Ground clearance: 24 in (6.1 m)
Axle configuration: 8×8
Axle gearing: 2 speed with planetary wheel ends
Engine: 470 hp diesel
Generator: 340 kW
Drive motors: 480VCA induction (1 per axle)
Performances (w/o LPWS):
- Maximum speed: 65 mph (105 km/h)
- Secondary road speed: 45 mph (72 km/h)
- Fording: 48 in (1.22 m)
- Maximum grade: 60% (30°)
- Maximum side slope: 30% (15°)
Armor:
- Integral: LTAS A-kit
- Add-on: LTAS B-kit
Armament: M61A1 20 mm/99 caliber cannon
- Rate of fire: 3,000 or 4,500 rpm
- Elevation/Train acceleration: 8 rad/s² (458°/s²)
- Elevation/Train velocity: 2 rad/s (115°/s)
- Elevation limits: -25°~+85°
- Magazine capacity: 1,500 rounds
Ammunition:
- Mk 149 APDS
- Projectile mass (approx.): 1,318 gr (85 g)
- Muzzle velocity: 3,700 fps (1,127 m/s)
- 45 ° RHA (360 BHN) penetration at range:
- Point-blank: 30 mm
- 1 km: 23 mm
- 2 km: 16 mm
- Mk 244 APDS
- Projectile mass: 1,950 gr (127 g)
- Muzzle velocity: 3,610 fps (1,100 m/s)
- M940 MPT-SD
- Projectile mass: 1,620 gr (105 g)
- Filler:
- Explosive:
- Type: Comp. A4
- Mass: 4 g
- Incendiary:
- Type: I-68, I-136, Potassium Pechlorate
- Mass (total): 4.4 g
- Explosive:
- Self-destruct range: 2.3 km
- 45 ° RHA penetration at 547 yd (500 m): 9.5 mm
- Muzzle velocity: 3,350 fps (1,021 m/s)
- Velocity at range:
- 1 km: 600 m/s
- 1.5 km: 423 m/s
- 1.8 km: 333 m/s
- 2 km: 306 m/s
- Time to range:
- 1 km: 1.2651 s
- 1.5 km: 2.2558 s
- 1.8 km: 3.065 s
- 2 km: 3.69 s
- Velocity at range:
Sensors:
- Search radar:
- Type: digital MTI
- Band: J
- Rotational speed: 90 rpm (540°/s)
- Track radar:
- Type: monopulse doppler
- Band: J
- FLIR: Phalanx Thermal Imager
- Resolution: 640 × 480
- Field of view:
- Narrow: 2.0° × 1.3°
- Wide: 6.0° × 0.9°
- Stabilizer: Two-plane
Sources
- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tatctical Sytems, “20mm Mk244 Mod 0 APDS Enhanced Lethality Cartridge - ELC”, [Online]. Available: https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20mm-MK244-MOD-O-APDS.pdf
- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, “20mm M940 MPT-SD”, [Online]. Available: https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/400000187-20mm-M940-MPT-SD-2023-09-V02.pdf.
- D.E. Dillard, “20mm M940 MPT-SD vs. M246 HEI-TSD Ground to Air Performance Comparison”, 41st Annual Gun & Missile Systems Conference, pp. 5-8, 2006
- Northrop Grumman, “20mm x 102mm Advanced Ammunition”, [Online]. Available: https://cdn.northropgrumman.com/-/media/Project/Northrop-Grumman/ngc/what-we-do/advanced-weapons/bushmaster/20x102mm-Full-Ammo-Suite-Product-Brochure.pdf.
- Kris Osborn, “Army testing diesel-electric truck”, U.S. Army News Service, Oct 20, 2010. [Online]. Available: Army testing diesel-electric truck | Article | The United States Army.
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- Scott Curtis, “SERMC Invents Tools Using Additive Manufacturing”, Naval Sea Systems Command, Ju e 1, 2023, [Online]. Available: SERMC Invents Tools Using Additive Manufacturing > Naval Sea Systems Command > Article View.
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