VLS Question

PubFather · 10-14-2006, 16:51 PM

I've being doing some digging and wonder if anyone could help.

The quad-packing of ESSM has acted as a dramatic force multiplier. I believe that MDBA are looking to do the same with VL Mica.

How fealisible would it be to dual-pack missiles such as JASSM, Harpoon, Exocet, Stormshadow etc in a Mark 41? They might not have the range of the TacTom but for littoral and AsuW work, this might be a very worthwhile approach, especially for smaller vessels with fewer VLS tubes.

B.Smitty · 10-14-2006, 19:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PubFather

I've being doing some digging and wonder if anyone could help.

The quad-packing of ESSM has acted as a dramatic force multiplier. I believe that MDBA are looking to do the same with VL Mica.

How fealisible would it be to dual-pack missiles such as JASSM, Harpoon, Exocet, Stormshadow etc in a Mark 41? They might not have the range of the TacTom but for littoral and AsuW work, this might be a very worthwhile approach, especially for smaller vessels with fewer VLS tubes.

JASSM has something like an 18" diameter. IIRC, Mk41 VLS cells are only 22-23" square. So I don't think you can dual-pack JASSM.

I think it might be interesting to develop a 9-10" diameter cruise missile / expendable UAV that can be quad-packed in Mk41 cells. Maybe make it the same diameter as MLRS, so they can be fired from MLRS launchers as well. Should be able to share the warhead with GMLRS unitary, or trade the warhead for additional fuel and sensors in a UAV configuration.

HKDan · 10-14-2006, 23:00 PM

As for the JASSM, I think that the coming ER version should have the range to make it a useful VLS candidate even if it can't be dual or quad packed. Im not sure if it is being investigated for VLS use on surface ships, but have seen reference to it being considered for use on the SSGNs because its stealthy qualities would make it useful against targets that are defended by advanced SAMs. Whether or not this will ever come to pass is a whole other story though.

PubFather · 10-15-2006, 13:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.Smitty

JASSM has something like an 18" diameter. IIRC, Mk41 VLS cells are only 22-23" square. So I don't think you can dual-pack JASSM.

I think it might be interesting to develop a 9-10" diameter cruise missile / expendable UAV that can be quad-packed in Mk41 cells. Maybe make it the same diameter as MLRS, so they can be fired from MLRS launchers as well. Should be able to share the warhead with GMLRS unitary, or trade the warhead for additional fuel and sensors in a UAV configuration.

Thanks for that. I would agree than an "off-the-self" cruise missile with a smaller diameter could be a cheap, useful alternative - sacrificing range/warhead for numbers, especially on low-cost platforms. It could be produced in anti-ship, anti-radar and land attack variants ( or have a seeker on the lines of the JCM program (I know it was cancelled lol)).

On a related matter, I believe there was some discussion of dual-packing SM2's a few months ago. Does anyone have uptodate info on this?

Anon · 10-15-2006, 14:33 PM

How many PAMs can fit in a VLS cell?

That's what i wanna know.

B.Smitty · 10-15-2006, 20:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M21Sniper

How many PAMs can fit in a VLS cell?

PAM is a 7" missile, so with some repackaging, perhaps 9.

10-14-2006, 16:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
PubFather *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 04-25-06 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,198 Country:	VLS Question I've being doing some digging and wonder if anyone could help. The quad-packing of ESSM has acted as a dramatic force multiplier. I believe that MDBA are looking to do the same with VL Mica. How fealisible would it be to dual-pack missiles such as JASSM, Harpoon, Exocet, Stormshadow etc in a Mark 41? They might not have the range of the TacTom but for littoral and AsuW work, this might be a very worthwhile approach, especially for smaller vessels with fewer VLS tubes. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacessit - Scottish Motto "They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion” Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan

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10-14-2006, 23:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
HKDan Contributor Join Date: 05-23-06 Location: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Hangzhou, wherever the wife drags me Posts: 406 Country:	As for the JASSM, I think that the coming ER version should have the range to make it a useful VLS candidate even if it can't be dual or quad packed. Im not sure if it is being investigated for VLS use on surface ships, but have seen reference to it being considered for use on the SSGNs because its stealthy qualities would make it useful against targets that are defended by advanced SAMs. Whether or not this will ever come to pass is a whole other story though.

10-15-2006, 14:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anon New Member Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 0	How many PAMs can fit in a VLS cell? That's what i wanna know.

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