CIWS
Military abbreviation · Weapon and Military Equipment
| Stands for | Close-in weapon system |
|---|---|
| Categories | Military |
CIWS stands for Close-in weapon system, a weapon and military equipment abbreviation.
Ship-mounted automatic weapon that defends against missiles, aircraft, drones and small boats at short range. The US Navy's Phalanx uses a radar-guided 20mm Gatling gun firing thousands of rounds a minute.
Example: The destroyer's CIWS engaged the incoming drone moments before impact.
Usage notes
Pronounced "SEA-whiz." Sailors call the Phalanx "R2-D2" because of its white dome. Some ships also carry the Rolling Airframe Missile system for close-in defense. The Army adapted Phalanx as a land-based counter-rocket system called C-RAM.
Related abbreviations
More weapon and military equipment abbreviations
- AWACS – Airborne Warning and Control System
- BFV – Bradley Fighting Vehicle
- BMD – Ballistic missile defense
- BZO – Battle sight zero
- CBU – Cluster bomb unit
- CH – Cargo helicopter
- DMR – Designated marksman rifle
- DPICM – Dual-purpose improved conventional munition
- EFP – Explosively formed penetrator
- FMJ – Full metal jacket
- FPV – First-person view drone
- GBU – Guided bomb unit