Well, when the navy and general dynamics were developing this system, a phalanx sucessfully hit a drone at approx 2500 feet from the test platform, then proceded to vary its aim until all the pieces decending were broken down into about 6 inch chunks. so imagine an airplane that was just hit the gun keeps firing until there are small chunks and a pilot hanging from a parachute. major pucker factor. and, yes there are manual target designaters.
Is it capable of other uses? Can it depress enough to hit a small boat, close aboard, say within 100 yards, in a port? Can it's radar pick out a plywood or even rubber boat in heavy seas with spoofed returns? A visually aimed system can, and without spray-n-pray expending ammo.
And to ADVERTISE this, so that some Iranian sailor KNOWS that if he gets within range, he's going to be unidentified flaked fish food. One BRRT! and he's a greasy spreading slick on the ocean.
Knowing is a powerful deterrent. To KNOW that some 19 year old infidel gets all tickly in the nethers at the thought of minced Iranian. You don't tug on Superman's cape...