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Centurion
C-RAM Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar weapon system |
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The
Centurion Weapon System is a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System with the
capability of integration with other protection sensors and systems.
The system is designed and manufactured by the American Company Raytheon.
Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system
that automatically acquires, tracks, and destroys enemy threats that
have penetrated all other ship defense systems. The Phalanx was designed
in the beginning as ship-based anti-missile system. The Centurion™
Weapon System mission represents a revolutionary approach to countering
insurgent activities by intercepting rockets, artillery and mortar rounds
in the air before impact, thereby reducing or eliminating any damage
they might cause. The U.S. Navy uses the same capability of the Phalanx
1B sea-based system as its point-defense weapon to protect the fleet
from low-flying cruise missiles and other air and surface threats..
The Phalanx was first tested for possible Centurion™ Weapon System
missions in November 2004 and successfully proved its ability to provide
unparalleled land-based protection. Phalanx can be interfaced with a
multitude of sensors and systems designed to provide an overarching
protection umbrella of sites on the ground. In 2009, the Rayheon Centurion
weapon system was displayed at the defence Exhibition DSEI in London,
United Kingdom.
The first C-RAM was sent to Iraq in late 2006, to protect the Green
Zone (the large area in Baghdad turned into an American base). It was
found that C-RAM could knock down 70-80 percent of the rockets and mortar
shells fired within range of its cannon. In the last two years, Centurion
systems in Iraq have intercepted over a hundred rockets or mortar shells
aimed at the Green Zone.
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| Variants |
| No variants at this
time |
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| Technical
Data |
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| Armament
and radar system |
| Phalanx
combines a proven 20 mm M61A1 Gatling gun, firing M-246 or M-940
self-destruct rounds at a selectable rate of 3,000 or 4,500
shots per minute, with an advanced search and track Ku-band
radar featuring closed-loop spotting technology to provide autonomous
target detection and engagement. Phalanx can be interfaced with
a multitude of sensors and systems designed to provide an overarching
protection umbrella of sites on the ground. Phalanx uses six
optimized gun barrels along with an integrated forward-looking
infrared (FLIR) sensor suite. More stringent firing schedules
are provided for by securing the six barrels at the muzzle,
mid-barrel and breech, for more accuracy and a concentrated
shot dispersion pattern. The Block 1B FLIR provides the capability
to search, track and engage threats while simultaneously providing
a detect, prioritize and kill assessment feature that is effective
in both daylight and nighttime environments.
Using a Ku-band radar, Phalanx is proven to detect threats early
in their flight and then hand over to the track mode only when
those targets are determined to threaten the area protected
by the system. To augment its tracking and engagement capability,
the Phalanx Block 1B incorporates a thermal imager with automatic
acquisition tracking. The system operates in the 8–12
micron wavelength and is mounted on a stabilized pedestal attached
to the existing Block 1B track antenna radome. This system provides
a reliable day and night passive search and track capability
while improving the anti-air warfare performance in multi-path
environments.
Centurion uses target acquisition sensors, including Northrop
Grumman’s AN/TPQ-36 short-range Firefinder radar and the
Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar, to detect and track fired
rounds. The fire-control subsystem Northrop Grumman Mission
Systems provides for C-RAM uses software modified from Northrop
Grumman’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control
(FAAD C2) system, which ties together the sensors and weapons
of the Army’s short-range air-defense battalions. |
| Design
and protection |
| The
Centurion™ Weapon System is powered by a generator and
has a water chiller cooling system and an enclosed control station.
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| Mobility |
In the land-based configuration, a Phalanx Block 1B is mounted
on a wheeled platform, which provides both a stable site and
mobility to allow for repositioning.The Centurion can be mounted
on a trailer or the rear side of Oshkosh truck. In October 2008,
Raytheon and Oshkosh unveiled the Mobile Centurion, which mounts
the system on a hybrid-electric HEMTT A3 heavy truck.
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| Combat
use |
| Phalanx
is proven to identify and engage air threats successfully in
both high and low quadrant elevation trajectories. Collateral
damage is always a concern whenever urban securityforces consider
a high-speed gun system as a solution to the rocket, artillery
and mortar threat. In urban terrain or heavily populated areas,
outgoing rounds might prove as dangerous — if not more
dangerous — than incoming rounds. To minimize collateral
damage, Centurion™ Weapon System fires self-destruct rounds.
Studies show that residue from self destructed rounds causes
virtually no damage. The deployment of the Phalanx Block 1B
and its integration into a holistic approach to defeat rocket,
artillery and mortar threats is changing the face of security
operations in urban settings and will force insurgents to seriously
consider their activities when attacking high value sites.
The Phalanx Turret is a very powerful weapon, on both vehicles
and infantry, as the 20mm AA gun will inflict severe damage
against enemy troops, light vehicles, and medium vehicles while
the Missile Launcher will inflict heavy damage against Aircraft.
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| Specifications |
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Armament |
| M61A1
20 mm cannon |
Country
users |
| United
States |
Designer
Company |
| Raytheon
a
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Accessories |
| FLIR
Sensor imaging system with automatic acquisition
tracker, automatic and manual fire control |
Crew |
? |
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Fire
rate |
| Dual
fire rate – 3,000 or 4,500 shots per minute |
Weight |
24,000 kg on trailer |
Radar |
Search
radar: Ku-band, digital MTI
Track radar: Ku-band, pulse Doppler monopulse |
Range |
?
km
a |
Dimensions |
Lenght:
? m; Width: ? m; Height: ? m |
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Video
Centurion C-RAM Weapon System
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