20mm Phalanx CIWS

The Phalanx CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense system. It is a close-in weapon system (CIWS) and was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division[4] (now a part of Raytheon). Consisting of a radar-guided 20mm Gatling gun mounted on a swivelling base, the Phalanx is used by the United States Navy on every class of surface combat ship, by the United States Coast Guard aboard its Hamilton-class and Legend class cutters and the navies of 23 allied nations.[citation needed] A land based variant known as C-RAM has recently been deployed in a short range missile defense role, to counter incoming rockets and artillery fire.[6] Because of their distinctive barrel-shaped radome and their automated nature of operation, Phalanx CIWS units are sometimes nicknamed "R2-D2" after the famous droid from Star Wars,[7][8] and in the Royal Navy as Daleks, after the aliens from Doctor Who.[citation needed]