POWERFUL DEFENSE WEAPONS ♦ PHALANX CIWS CLOSE IN WEAPONS SYSTEM ♦ LIVE FIRE TEST

A close-in weapon system (CIWS), often pronounced "sea-whiz," is a point-defence multiple-barrel rotary cannon weapon system for detecting and destroying short-range incoming missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses, typically mounted shipboard in a naval capacity. Nearly all classes of modern warships are equipped with some kind of CIWS device.

There are two types of CIWS systems. A gun-based CIWS usually consists of a combination of radars, computers, and multiple-barrel, rotary rapid-fire cannons placed on a rotating gun mount. Missile systems use infra-red, passive radar/ESM or semi-active radar terminal guidance to guide missiles to the targeted enemy aircraft or other threats. In some cases, CIWS are used on land to protect military bases.