How much longer will 20 mm close-in weapons remain useful against growing air and surface-drone threats?
Short answerThey should move to a tertiary role behind lasers, missiles, and larger guns, ideally combined in an automated layered mount.
NotesThe 20 mm gun already belongs in a tertiary role because lasers can handle many of the same light threats, while targets that defeat lasers may require a larger projectile. A self-contained Phalanx-like mount could combine RAM missiles with at least a 40 mm gun, although reload difficulty and deck hard-point limits still govern replacement weapons. A mount designed for an octuple pom-pom cannot accept a much heavier system without structural reinforcement. Phalanx's self-contained tracking and control also distinguish it from larger-gun systems that need cues from the ship's radars.