Editing Phalanx CIWS (section)

==History==
The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) was developed as the last line of automated weapons defense (terminal defense or point defense) against all incoming threats, including antiship missiles (AShMs or ASMs), aircraft including high-g and maneuvering sea-skimmers, and small boats.

The first prototype system was offered to the U.S. Navy for evaluation on the [[destroyer leader]] {{USS|King|DLG-10|6}} in 1973 and it was determined that further work was required to improve performance and reliability. Subsequently, the Phalanx Operational Suitability Model successfully completed its Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) on board the [[destroyer]] {{USS|Bigelow|DD-942|6}} in 1977.<ref name="navweaps">{{cite web |first= Tony |last= DiGiulian |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_Phalanx.php |title=USA 20 mm Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) |publisher=NavWeaps.com |date=5 March 2018 |access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref> The model exceeded operational maintenance, reliability, and availability specifications. Another evaluation successfully followed, and the weapon system was approved for production in 1978. Phalanx production started with orders for 23 USN and 14 foreign military systems. The first ship fully fitted out was the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|6}} in 1980. The Navy began placing CIWS systems on non-combatant vessels in 1984.