Na realidade, parece que o RAM e o Phalanx são complementares, o que faz sentido.
O KDX III coreano, por exemplo, está equipado com o Goalkeeper (CIWS) e RIM-116 (RAM) (GMWS).
RAM and Phalanx:
System of Systems Testing
http://www.navyleague.org/seapower/sept00/frick.htm
By M.S. FRICK
Capt. M.S. Frick is the program manager for the Rolling Airframe Missile and the Phalanx close-in weapon system at the Naval Sea Systems Command.
The Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)
Guided-Missile Weapon System (GMWS) and the Mk15 Phalanx
Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), two of the U.S. Navy’s primary ship self-defense systems, successfully conducted an unprecedented series of combined system tests last year. The RAM/Phalanx Program Office at the Naval Sea Systems Command is responsible for the development, testing, acquisition, fleet introduction, and support of both systems.
The RAM GMWS is a lightweight, quick-reaction/high-firepower weapon jointly developed by the United States and Germany. A "fire-and-forget" missile that does not require external guidance for target tracking and intercept, RAM is designed to counter various antiship cruise missiles (ASCMs) attacking in waves or in streams, diving or maneuvering.
RAM Block 0, presently in service with the U.S. and German fleets, relies on passive radio frequency (RF) guidance and passive infrared (IR) terminal homing. Operational since 1993, RAM is currently installed on 29 U.S. ships ranging from Tarawa-class and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships to Whidbey Island- and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships to Spruance-class destroyers. RAM installations also are planned for the San Antonio-class landing platform dock ships, Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs), and the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy.
Phalanx Globally Deployed
Phalanx—a fast-reaction, rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system designed to engage antiship missiles—provides autonomous search, detection, declaration (i.e., threat evaluation), acquisition, tracking, firing, target destruction, automatic kill assessment, and cease-fire functions.
Phalanx was designed as a fully autonomous system suitable for installation on most classes of surface ships for self-defense purposes.
Phalanx systems are currently installed on 192 U.S. ships (373 weapon systems) and on various numbers of ships of 20 foreign countries (288 weapon systems). The current Phalanx systems being installed are the Block 1A and 1B configurations.
The RAM and Phalanx programs were undergoing block upgrades at approximately the same time, with overlapping schedules for the Technical Evaluation (TECHEVAL) and Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) testing necessary for fleet introduction. The RAM Block 1 upgrade adds an infrared all-the-way guidance mode to the existing system that enables the missile to engage non-RF-emitting cruise missiles as well as those exhibiting lowered IR signatures, multiple guidance modes, countermeasures, and improved passive guidance or intermittent RF emissions. The RAM Block 1 launcher was modified to give it the capability to launch either missile variant, dependent on the type of threat encountered.
The Phalanx upgrade—Phalanx Surface Mode (PSUM) or Block 1B—incorporates the capability to engage, day or night, small surface craft or low-speed aircraft; it also increases the range at which maneuvering antiship missiles are engaged. The Phalanx Block 1B incorporates a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imager, radar-sensitivity improvements, and a more accurate Optimized Gun Barrel (OGB).
The 79-inch-long OGB is a heavier construction barrel that incorporates a new twist design and uses interior plating to reduce barrel wear; it has the capability of firing the improved Mk244 Enhanced Lethality Cartridge (ELC) ammunition.
Demonstratable Test Success
Successful TECHEVAL for Phalanx Block 1B was conducted on board the Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood at the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF) in Roosevelt Roads, P.R. This testing—completed in April 1999—dramatically demonstrated the system’s ability: (a) to track high-speed maneuvering surface craft and aircraft; (b) to discriminate between threats and non-threats; and (c) to engage threats at ranges in excess of specified "keep-out" distances.
In May 1999, RAM developmental testing was initiated at AFWTF on board the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall, which is equipped with a launcher upgraded to the Block 1 configuration. Missile exercises were conducted to evaluate: (1) the ability to fire Block 0 missiles from a Block 1 launcher; (2) the new Block 1 IR-only capability; (3) the Mk20 Mod 2 low-altitude fuze design; and (4) the Block 1 missile’s retention of the Block 0 capability.
All four missiles fired (two Block 0 and two Block 1) scored direct hits. Following the testing, the Navy’s test agency, Commander, Operational Test & Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR), waived the requirement for additional RAM Block 1 testing aboard operational ships.
Because their testing requirements were completed on operational fleet ships, both the RAM Block 1 and the Phalanx 1B testing transitioned to the Navy’s Self-Defense Test Ship (the converted guided-missile destroyer ex-USS Decatur). The Self-Defense Test Ship (SDTS)—a unique unmanned test asset capable of being remotely controlled and operated—is used by the Navy to test self-defense weapons without putting Sailors in harm’s way.
The RAM and Phalanx systems were fully integrated on board the SDTS with the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk1, enabling a combined "system of systems" testing of all three through the entire detect-to-engage sequence. Together, the SSDS Mk1, the RAM, and the Phalanx completed an unprecedented series of testing including realistic operational scenarios against "real-world" antiship missiles, such as the Exocet and Harpoon.
All of the actual and surrogate antiship missiles presented in subsonic, supersonic, and multiple target scenarios were successfully engaged and destroyed. No other ship self-defense systems have undergone such robust testing before being released to the fleet.
Enhancements and Improvements
Phalanx Block 1B successfully completed its operational testing in late August 1999. The testing, carried out from the SDTS, demonstrated the system’s abilities to counter supersonic and subsonic missiles flying both sea-skimming and diving profiles. The testing also proved that the incorporation of the FLIR imager and the fusion of the radar and FLIR track data greatly enhanced the Phalanx’s ability to detect and track missile threats.
The RAM’s operational testing also was successfully completed in August 1999. The purpose of these tests was to determine operational effectiveness and suitability of the Block 1 upgrade in an at-sea environment, when supported by the SSDS Mk1 front-end target designation system.
Firing against real-world threats and threat representative targets, the RAM engaged and defeated singular supersonic diving and sea-skimming maneuvering targets, a supersonic stream raid, and singular subsonic nonmaneuvering targets. A total of 17 RAM Block 1 missiles and 11 targets were expended for all events. The enhanced RAM features observed during the testing included an improved autonomous infrared sensor, an improved active optical target detector in a nonaerosol environment, and improved capability against a supersonic maneuvering target.
COMOPTEVFOR’s OPEVAL (OT-IIE) report of 24 November 1999 on RAM and its 3 January 2000 report on Phalanx determined both systems to be "operationally effective and suitable." Additionally, both systems were recommended for introduction to the fleet. As a result, full-rate production approval for RAM was granted on 20 January 2000 by H. Lee Buchanan III, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN (RD&A)).
Multiyear Savings Projected
Having received Block 1 Milestone III approval, the RAM program has shifted its concentration to the launcher multiyear procurement, the development of Helo/Air/Surface (HAS) capability, and third-party sales. In April 2000, a multiyear contract was awarded for 45 RAM Block 1 launching systems. This contracting approach has resulted in a 20.4 percent saving over annual procurements, and facilitates an earlier introduction of the new Block 1 capability into the fleet.
The RAM program is also currently developing a Block 1 engineering change proposal to provide ship defense against close-range aircraft and helicopter threats and surface-mode defense against small boats. This HAS capability will use the inherent capabilities of the RAM missile system to meet these threats, while maintaining its primary mission of antiship cruise missile defense.
The completion of Block 1 testing also has created a significant third-party market for RAM. The first third-party sale was completed to the Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea) in December 1999 and was followed in March 2000 by a second sale to Greece. In addition, Spain, Greece, and Turkey have requested—and have received—"terms and conditions" for joining the RAM program.
The Phalanx 1B is currently deployed on the Underwood and will be initially installed on twelve Perry-class guided-missile frigates. The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Navy’s fleet commanders are evaluating plans for installations in other classes of ships. The international sales market for Phalanx also looks very favorable.
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