USS Carl Vinson tests RIM-116 missile, Phalanx CIWS

U.S. Navy sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) carried out a live-fire exercise with the ship’s RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile weapons systems and Phalanx Close-In Weapons System on November 2.

Carl Vinson fired at two drones using the ship’s aft RAM launcher and fired the CIWS as part of a pre-aim calibration firing evolution during the carrier strike group’s composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), a series of drills designed to prepare a ship’s crew for deployment.

During the RAM live-fire portion of the exercise, Team Vinson successfully tracked and engaged two targets, and fired two missiles.

The CIWS PAC fire served a dual purpose — allowing Carl Vinson Sailors to perform a maintenance check, as well as readying the mounts for a rogue drone situation, according to Smith.

“The firing exercise tested the strike group’s entire self-defense capability, from the radars to the missile systems and everyone operating them,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelly Smith, the defensive weapons coordinator for the exercise. “We also verified the ship’s self-defense capabilities to track and engage a threat.”

“If we’re under attack, today’s evolutions prove we can defend ourselves against an air strike,” concluded Smith.