A video appeared on social networks filmed by American sailors on board a ship equipped with the Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS anti-aircraft system. The military dissuaded the air defense system from attacking an aircraft flying in the sky.
What is known
The video shows a Whidbey Island or Harpers Ferry class landing craft. The Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS complex installed on board spotted a flying Boeing 737 aircraft and pointed its guns at it. The sailors who were nearby shouted to him “No … No … No!”.
It is worth noting that Phalanx is often the object of ridicule. This is due to the appearance and abrupt movements of the installation. Sailors often joke about his appearance and irritable nature. Below you can see how the complex was turned into a R2-D2 robot, Santa Claus and a minion.
As for the overflying aircraft, it appears to have been a US Navy P-8 Poseidon based on the Boeing 737. Naturally, the Phalanx system did not pose any real danger to the aircraft. However, there are less funny stories in the history of the anti-aircraft complex.
Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS can operate in fully automatic mode. In this case, the system itself selects targets and hits them at its discretion. During Operation Desert Storm, a Phalanx mounted on the frigate USS Jarett fired on the battleship USS Missouri, launching a burst of 20 mm armor-piercing shells at it. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
During the existence of the Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS has been upgraded. Modern versions of the anti-aircraft system are equipped with an array of cameras that help it visually identify targets before opening fire on them.
Source: The War Zone
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