CIWS, Harpoon, and Sea Sparrow: The deadly trio of U.S. Navy Warships

Modern warships are not just technological marvels; they are floating fortresses, bristling with an array of sophisticated weaponry. Designed to dominate any threat, they are equipped to engage in air, surface, and underwater combat with deadly precision. Let’s check some of the formidable weapon systems that make these modern warships not only majestic to look at but also terrifying adversaries on the battlefield.

The development of the Phalanx CIWS began in the early 1970s with General Dynamics

being awarded the contract for its production. The first prototype system was offered to the

U.S. Navy for evaluation on the destroyer leader USS King in 1973 and it was determined that further work was required to improve performance and reliability. The first ship fully fitted out was the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea in 1980. Since its introduction, the Phalanx CIWS has been continually updated and refined to address evolving threats and incorporate new technologies.

At the core of the Phalanx CIWS lies the M61 Vulcan, a six-barreled, 20mm rotary cannon

capable of firing at a rate of 3,000 to 4,500 rounds per minute. The 20x102mm ammunition for the Phalanx Mk 15 Mod 0 is designed to effectively bring down aerial targets, utilizing a heavy metal penetrator without an explosive filler.

The Sparrow missile was developed in the early 1950s as a semi-active radar-homing missile system at a time when fighter aircraft were just getting nose-mounted radars to detect enemy plane formations. 

The Sparrow used this technological advancement to zero in on enemy planes illuminated by radar. A fighter jet with nose-mounted radar could track an enemy fighter, launch a Sparrow missile, and steer the missile by keeping the nose of the jet pointed at the target.

Raytheon’s RIM-7 SEASPARROW is a direct development of the AIM-7E Sparrow air-to-air missile.

The SEASPARROW missile system is a highly effective surface-to-air missile that is primarily used by naval forces for defense against hostile aircraft and missiles. 

First developed by the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) corporation in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was initially deployed in 1977. The original purpose of the Harpoon was to provide a high-subsonic, long-range, sea-skimming, over-the-horizon missile capable of striking enemy warships with lethal accuracy.

The evolution of the Harpoon missile system has been marked by strategic advancements, each serving to enhance its combat capabilities. Harpoon Block 1C exhibited an innovative terminal attack mode that involved a pop-up to around 5,900 feet (approximately 1,800 meters) before diving ontto the target. 

Progression to Block 1D represented a substantial milestone, with the inclusion of a larger fuel tank and the capability for re-engagement. The range of this missile was extended to about 173 miles (278 kilometers), and these variants were designated A/RGM-84F.

The transition to Harpoon Block II marked a significant shift in the missile’s operational capabilities. While initially designed for open-ocean warfare, the Block II variant was adapted to confer upon the Harpoon an anti-ship capability in littoral or coastal waters. This was achieved by integrating the inertial measurement unit from the Joint Direct Attack Munition program and the software, computer, GPS/inertial navigation system, and GPS antenna/receiver from the SLAM Expanded Response (SLAM-ER).

The Harpoon Block II+ saw the introduction of an improved GPS guidance kit and a net-enabled data-link for real-time targeting updates. This technology facilitated over-the-horizon targeting, making it possible to engage concealed or cluttered targets beyond the radar’s line of sight.

In 2015, Boeing introduced the Harpoon Next Generation, also known as Harpoon Block II+ ER. This model extended the missile’s range from about 81 miles (130 kilometers) to roughly 193 miles (310.2 kilometers), incorporated a lighter 300 lb (approximately 140 kg) warhead, and a more fuel-efficient engine.