Britain requests Phalanx kits

WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- Britain has requested the United States sell it MK15 Phalanx ordnance alteration kits, upgrades and support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in its possible Foreign Military Sale, said the contract would be worth $137 million.

The agency said the deal would involved 20 Block 1A to Block 1B Baseline 2 configuration Ordnance Alteration Kits and 16 Block 1B Baseline 1 to Baseline 2 Ordnance Alteration Kits for conversion and upgrades of the MK15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System.

Spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, software support, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services and all other related elements of program support would be included.

"The MK 15 Phalanx CIWS overhauls/upgrades will be used for close-in ship self-defense against air and surface threats onboard the U.K.'s naval combatants and auxiliaries," the agency said.

"The MK 15 Phalanx CIWS Block 1B Baseline 2 upgrades will provide enhanced electro-optical and radiofrequency close-in detection, tracking and engagement capabilities over the U.K.'s existing MK 15 Phalanx systems, while improving CIWS supportability, maintainability and interoperability with U.S. systems.

"The U.K., which already has earlier versions of the MK 15 Phalanx in its inventory, will have no problem absorbing these upgrades and support into its armed forces," DSCA said.

The prime contractor would be Raytheon Systems of Arizona.