To be honest with everyone here, I believe it has been discussed in various Naval circles that “mob” attacks by small vessels is an actual vulnerability and that larger naval vessels would actually have a hard time preventing sever losses. What our ships need in my opinion is an Aegis-type system capable of targeting small surface vessels in the same way it targets incoming missles and air attacks. The Aegis was designed when it was determined that swarm attacks by missles and bombers would be catastrophic to a CAG. The surface mob attack is a logical method for inflicting great harm to a naval force, especially in the tight confines of the persian gulf.
Block 1B Phalanx Surface Mode (PSUM) incorporates a side mounted Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) which enables CIWS to engage low slow or hovering aircraft and surface craft. Additionally, the FLIR assists the radar in engaging some ASCM’s bringing a greater chance of ship survivability. Block 1B uses a thermal imager Automatic Acquisition Video Tracker (AAVT) and stablilization system that provide surface mode and electro-optic (EO) angle track. These Block 1B enhancements will allow day/night detection capability and enable the CIWS to engage small surface targets, slow-moving air targets, and helicopters.