# U.S. Navy Phalanx Targets Civilian Aircraft: A Disturbing Incident
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Chapter 1: The Incident Overview
Recently, a video emerged showing a Mk 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) locking onto what appears to be a civilian Boeing 737. The footage, which quickly gained traction online, features a sailor humorously reprimanding the automated system as if it were a misbehaving child nearing a hot stove.
This alarming situation is not as unusual as one might think. If you have flown into Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), your aircraft likely experienced similar targeting. The CIWS depicted in the video seems to be installed on a U.S. Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship, though it could also belong to the Harpers Ferry-class.
The CIWS is designed as a rapid-response weapon system, guided by radar, and operates with a 20-millimeter cannon. Its primary function is to serve as an inner defense layer against threats such as anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and small boats that have breached outer defenses.
The system can operate in various modes, from manual to semi-automated, and fully automated, where it can autonomously engage targets based on its programming.
Section 1.1: Advancements in Technology
Over time, the CIWS has seen several enhancements in its radar and weaponry. Since 2015, all Phalanx systems have been upgraded to the Block 1B variant, which includes features such as an automatic acquisition video tracker, optimized gun barrels, and Enhanced Lethality Cartridges. These improvements enhance its effectiveness against diverse threats, including small maneuvering vessels, slow-flying aircraft, and drones.
Subsection 1.1.1: Historical Context of CIWS Usage
Despite its intended defensive capabilities, the CIWS has mistakenly engaged friendly aircraft in the past. Notably, in 1996, the Phalanx on the Japanese destroyer JDS Yūgiri mistakenly shot down a U.S. A-6 Intruder during gunnery exercises, although both crew members survived by ejecting safely.
In 2005, the U.S. Army introduced a land-based variant called Centurion C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar) for deployment in Iraq, aimed at protecting U.S. bases from mortar fire. Unlike its naval counterpart, which uses armor-piercing rounds, the land version employs high-explosive incendiary ammunition to minimize collateral damage.
Section 1.2: The Dread of Automation
Observing a Phalanx targeting a civilian aircraft feels unsettling. While the CIWS does not operate on AI in the traditional sense, its automated capabilities evoke a sense of foreboding, reminiscent of science fiction narratives like "Terminator." Each new advancement in automation amplifies this unease.
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) utilizes its Phalanx close-in weapon system during a live-fire exercise in the Philippine Sea on January 15. Public domain.