Raytheon contracts GD for Phalanx support

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. company Raytheon Missile Systems has contracted General Dynamics to provide the Phalanx close-in weapons technology with gun systems support.

General Dynamics says its Armament and Technical Products unit was awarded the contract from Raytheon's Kentucky-based operations.

Under the $17 million deal, General Dynamics will provide support for Raytheon's Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System and the Centurion Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System programs with deliver of its gun systems.

The Phalanx gun system is designed as the last line of defense against enemy threats aboard naval vessels. Officials say the Centurion configuration is mounted to a wheeled vehicle for use by ground forces.

"The Phalanx is the only deployed close-in weapon system capable of searching, tracking and engaging littoral warfare threats," Jo Ann Kramer, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products program manager of gun systems, said in a statement.