US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

A

anzha

Captain
Registered Member
voyager1 said:
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Click to expand...

This will require a new launcher. The VLS systems on the Zumwalts are too small, even the Mk 57, for the diameter of the new missiles. While entirely doable, I'd be a little surprised if the launchers can be designed, bought and installed on the Zumwalts in that time frame.
If they use the same system the USN is planning for the Virginia and Ohio classes, it will be something of a waste of volume and only have between 14 to 21 hypersonic missiles. They really need to get a tightly packed VLS like the Mk 41 (but larger). The number of cells possible would mean between 32 to 48. If they did the cell design right, they could pack in multiple SM-x, ESSM and others in subdividing cells. They did it for the standard MK 41 for 4 ESSM/cell.

However, I am pretty confident the USN will find some way to screw this up. They've done a LOT of really dumb things in the last couple decades.
 
A

anzha

Captain
Registered Member
silentlurker said:
How do you know what the final diameter of the missile will be?
Click to expand...
The almost three-foot diameter of the weapons would make them too large to fit into the approximately two-foot-diameter Mk-41 vertical launch system cells on the ship.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The Mk 57 on the Zumwalts is 28 in max canister size. Almost 3 ft would imply somewhere near 36 inches.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
 
N

nlalyst

Junior Member
Registered Member
anzha said:
The almost three-foot diameter of the weapons would make them too large to fit into the approximately two-foot-diameter Mk-41 vertical launch system cells on the ship.
Click to expand...
The article that you linked includes an illustration of the new weapon, with a suggested body diameter of 34.5 inches. Without including the clearance to the canister walls, this weapon would be too big even for the U-VLS on Type 055.
1619685646100.png

anzha said:
This will require a new launcher. The VLS systems on the Zumwalts are too small, even the Mk 57, for the diameter of the new missiles. While entirely doable, I'd be a little surprised if the launchers can be designed, bought and installed on the Zumwalts in that time frame.
If they use the same system the USN is planning for the Virginia and Ohio classes, it will be something of a waste of volume and only have between 14 to 21 hypersonic missiles. They really need to get a tightly packed VLS like the Mk 41 (but larger). The number of cells possible would mean between 32 to 48. If they did the cell design right, they could pack in multiple SM-x, ESSM and others in subdividing cells. They did it for the standard MK 41 for 4 ESSM/cell.

However, I am pretty confident the USN will find some way to screw this up. They've done a LOT of really dumb things in the last couple decades.
Click to expand...
We don't know whether weight might be a limiting factor in how many missiles they can pack in lieu of a single gun turret mount. It's unclear/doubtful that they will adopt the MAC tube layout from the Virginia class, since those are cold launched. I don't think multi-packing commonality would be much of a priority for this mount, since it's also going to be a lot deeper than the Mk41 mount weapons, and all that volume would go to waste. I think the Mk-57 can dual pack SM-2s, however.
 
S

silentlurker

Junior Member
Registered Member
anzha said:
The almost three-foot diameter of the weapons would make them too large to fit into the approximately two-foot-diameter Mk-41 vertical launch system cells on the ship.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The Mk 57 on the Zumwalts is 28 in max canister size. Almost 3 ft would imply somewhere near 36 inches.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
Click to expand...
Sorry my bad I got my Imperial units wrong
 
Temstar

Temstar

Brigadier
Registered Member
siegecrossbow said:
The fact that they are testing them is disturbing in and of itself.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure USAF test them by launching one every few month. I recall the notices for such tests last year too. Up to now it's all been successful which is why this one came as a surprise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top