A cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels into the Red Sea on the night of Jan. 30th came within a nautical mile of the USS Gravely, marking the closest such attack on a U.S. warship to date, CNN reported. The missile was ultimately destroyed by the ship’s Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), marking the first time this defensive system has seen combat action on a warship.
Official Navy Page from United States of AmericaLt. Cmdr. Corey Barker/U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Previously, Houthi missile attacks against vessels in the Red Sea had been intercepted at a distance of eight miles or more. This incident, however, highlights the evolving capabilities and potential threat posed by the rebels, raising concerns about the safety of maritime traffic in the crucial waterway.
The Phalanx CIWS, pronounced as “SEE-wiz,” is a rapid-fire, radar-guided system designed as a last line of defense against incoming threats like missiles, drones, and small boats. Equipped with a six-barreled 20mm cannon capable of firing over 4,500 rounds per minute, the CIWS can shred incoming projectiles at close range, offering critical protection for ships in high-risk situations.
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