NLOS-LS (Non Line Of Sight - Launch System) AKA Netfires - Progress

[Kirkhill]

The Netfires project was intended to put 15 missiles of the same size as a Hellfire into a vertical launch container in which they could be stored indefinitely, transported by any logistical vehicle and from which they could be fired.   The container could be vehicle or ground mounted at time of launch.

The Missiles seem to be continuing to be derivatives of the Hellfire system, a family of missiles that now include Longbow, Brimstone, the Joint Common Missile, the Precision Attack Missile and the turbo-jet powered Loitering Attack Missile.   All of them are based on what appears to be a common munition of 100 lbs and 7 inch diameter of which about 20 lbs seems dedicated to warhead, including seeker.   Hellfire, Longbow and Brimstone were all differentiated by different seekers for different targets but the movement now seems to be to create common seekers and warheads so that one missile can be reprogrammed at launch or in-flight to attack a variety of targets from different aspects (horizontal or vertical)

Early reports indicated that the goal of the Netfires NLOS programme was to produce a 70 km missile if I remember correctly but that seems to have been dialled back:

PAM is a direct attack missile that is effective against moving and stationary targets at ranges from zero to 40 km and effective against hard and soft targets.

However coupled with the inclusion of the NLOS-LS in the FCS demonstration ( http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/34907/post-276266.html#msg276266 ) it appears as if the capabilities offered are more important than the range, ie if range is the only limiting factor then maybe the programme can go ahead at the shorter range.   This would make the NLOS-LS system broadly compatible with M777 and other 155mm units as far as range.

Raytheon NLOS-LS Enhanced Precision Attack Missile Seeker Approved as Baseline Capability
 
 
(Source: Raytheon Co.; issued Sept. 28, 2005)
 
 
TUCSON, Ariz. --- The Raytheon Company-developed Enhanced Precision Attack Missile (EPAM) seeker has been transitioned to the baseline seeker for the Non Line of Sight â “ Launch System Precision Attack Missile (PAM).  

The EPAM seeker is a dual-mode unit using uncooled imaging infrared technology coupled with a semi-active laser. The EPAM seeker incorporates numerous improvements from the initial seeker designed, developed and successfully demonstrated during the predecessor Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency-sponsored NetFires program. The EPAM seeker was funded by Army Science and Technology through the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center.  

The EPAM seeker improvements include an optics package that provides significant image and producibility enhancements. NLOS-LS is currently in the system development and demonstration phase of the program for the U. S. Army. Work under this contract began in 2004. The EPAM seeker will be built, assembled and tested at Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz.  

"We're very pleased that the EPAM seeker has met and exceeded every design and performance parameter established by the program office for the Precision Attack Missile," said Scott Speet, executive vice president of NetFires LLC and NLOS-LS program director. "The EPAM seeker is just one part of ongoing, government-funded, seeker enhancement contracts for the PAM missile. Raytheon is also under contract to develop a tri-mode seeker for the PAM that will include millimeter wave technologies."  

The NLOS-LS system consists of Raytheon's Precision Attack Missile (PAM), Lockheed Martin's Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) and a joint Container Launch Unit (CLU). In 2004, the Army accelerated fielding of the NLOS-LS and CLU to the Army's Evaluation Brigade Combat Team into Spin Out 1 in fiscal year 2008.  

NLOS-LS provides a commander with immediate, precise and responsive fires on high payoff targets with real time target acquisition and battle effects. PAM is a direct attack missile that is effective against moving and stationary targets at ranges from zero to 40 km and effective against hard and soft targets. The missile includes a networked datalink that can be used for in- flight updates via ground and airborne sensor nodes and has a large multi-mode warhead effective against both hard and soft targets.  


Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.  

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http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.4308111.1089903978.QPadasOa9dUAAESlMZk&modele=jdc_34

Could this lead to a pairing of:

60mm mortar - ALAAWS (Javelin or Gill/Spike-MR) at 2.5 km

81mm mortar - Hellfire or Gill/Spike-LR or CKEM at 5 km

120mm mortar or 105mm howitzer- Gill/Spike-ER or EFOGM at 10 to 15 km

155mm howitzer - NLOS-LS at 40 km

Helicopters - MRLS at   70km or more

Aircraft at > 200km

I note that the 155mm calibre, MRLS munitions are both being considered for shipboard use and Helicopters are obviously already suitable for deployment by ship.

 

[Kirkhill]

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.4308111.1089903978.QPadasOa9dUAAESlMZk&modele=jdc_34

General Dynamics warhead selected for PAM

40 km range, hard and soft targets, moving and stationary.

I don't know the weight of the warhead yet but looking at the airframe, its commonality with the Hellfire family in size and weight then something on the order of 9 kg or 20 lb looks to be about right.

 

[Kirkhill]

US Navy looking at 40km NLOS-LS (PAM) for Littoral Combat Ship

Raytheon/NetFires LLC successfully Completes Preliminary Design Review for NLOS-LS Precision Attack Missile
 
 
(Source: Raytheon Company; issued Nov. 7, 2005)
 
 
TUCSON, Ariz. --- Raytheon Company and the NetFires Limited Liability Company (LLC), a company composed of Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, successfully passed a preliminary design review for the Non Line of Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM). 

The successful completion of the PAM preliminary design review (PDR) represents the accomplishment of a significant milestone in meeting the design and performance parameters of the NLOS-LS PAM supporting FCS Spin Out 1. NLOS-LS is currently in the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the program for the Army. 

Work under this contract began in 2004, and the PAM PDR was completed "right on schedule," said Scott Speet, executive vice president of the NetFires LLC and Raytheon's NLOS-LS program director. "The NLOS-LS PAM team, comprised of Raytheon and its component suppliers, worked very hard to meet this critical milestone, and this is a credit to the entire team." 

The PAM missile, developed under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) NetFires program, successfully conducted numerous flight tests during the DARPA program. That program focused on innovative design and performance of a compact, networked, precision attack missile launched from a self contained, platform independent launcher. The demonstrated flight performance success of the PAM during the DARPA program supported transition to the Army SDD and the decision by the Army to accelerate fielding of the NLOS-LS PAM and Container Launch Unit (CLU). 

"We're very pleased with the manner in which the NLOS-LS team worked to reach PDR. They have demonstrated a preliminary design that meets all design and performance requirements for the Precision Attack Missile," said Col. Doug Dever, the Army's NLOS-LS program manager. 

The NLOS-LS system consists of Raytheon's Precision Attack Missile (PAM), Lockheed Martin's Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) and a joint CLU. In 2004, the Army made the decision to accelerate the Raytheon PAM and CLU for incorporation into the Army's Evaluation Brigade Combat Team, Spin Out 1." 

The Navy entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Army in 2004 for the NLOS-LS system. The Navy has selected the NLOS-LS PAM and CLU for integration on the Littoral Combat Ship, which is also scheduled for delivery in fiscal year 2008. Successful completion of the PAM PDR is a major step along the development path to support both services requirements for the system. 

NLOS-LS provides a commander with immediate, precise and responsive fires on high payoff targets with real time target acquisition and battle effects. PAM is a direct attack missile that is effective against moving and stationary targets at ranges from zero to 40 km and effective against hard and soft targets, bunkers and small boats. The missile includes a networked datalink that provides in-flight updates to each missile with ground and airborne sensor nodes and has a multi-mode warhead effective against both services' target sets. 


Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide. 

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http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.16743278.1131606546.Q3LyEsOa9dUAADz4jJI&modele=jdc_34

 

[Kirkhill]

Loitering Attack Missile   and Net-Centric Warfare

Lockheed Martin's Succesful Experiment Alpha Furthers Collaborative Net-Centric Experimentation
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Nov. 15, 2005)
 
 
SUFFOLK, VA. --- Lockheed Martin has completed a successful experiment at the Center for Innovation that demonstrated the power of networked warfighting in driving critical, time-sensitive intelligence data to combat commanders in minutes instead of hours, enhancing operational results and safety of deployed troops.  

The experiment involved the use of "non-traditional" intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data acquired from loitering missiles. In a net-centric environment, the sensors on-board a loitering missile or a missile en route to a target can be used to gather battlefield information. An estimate of how long it would take for the intelligence to be accessed by an analyst was compared to actual data generated in the experiment.  

In one scenario a Littoral Combat Ship supporting a special operations force deployed in coastal waters might be able to respond to a threat identified by a loitering missile--and do so in minutes rather than hours. The experiment validated the ability of networked systems to dramatically compress the time from initial discovery of a threat, to being able to act upon it.  

In a non-networked, conventional environment, the data gathered might have to be relayed by e-mail, by telephone, by instant messaging or by personal communication, taking possibly hours to reach people who need to know.  

"From an operational view, the experiment proves the increased awareness of the battlefield acquired by these loitering munitions, while they seamlessly interface with the Global Information Grid (GIG) and interact with operational commanders on the ground," Glenn Kuller, program management director, said.  

The experiment also accomplished three objectives that pave the way for future collaborative experimentation at the company's state-of-the art laboratory that opened in April.  

These include: development and validation of an experiment process that customers for future collaborative work; implementation of prototype net-centric enterprise services; and integration of the Center's operational analysis capability to qualitatively assess experiment hypotheses and objectives.  

"The successful completion of Experiment Alpha validated our proof-of-concept ideas and provided a foundation for new development work with our customers," said Buck Marr, vice president of the Center for Innovation. "We've validated the Center's readiness for collaborative projects and set the stage for further experimentation with our customers."  

From a process standpoint, Lockheed Martin began with the Department of Defense Command and Control Research Program's "Code of Best Practices for Experimentation" publication that provided a management framework for warfighting experimentation in a net-centric environment and created a new engineering and technology support process.  

The lessons learned from this early experiment will allow the company to quickly and systematically build experiments for customers. "Discovering what's available on the Global Information Grid is a tough challenge," explained Tom Haser, director of net-centric integration. "Finding services on the GIG should be as simple as finding a plumber or electrician in the Yellow Pages. The technology is not quite there, but we're definitely making progress."  

The experiment leveraged the corporation's Net-Centric Enterprise Services (NCES) prototype as part of the experiment infrastructure. Lockheed Martin has already emulated the transport layer at the Center with its GIG testbed. This combination of capabilities enables experimentation with unprecedented interdependence of systems across the future battlespace.  

"The experiment demonstrates a vast improvement in the speed of discovery made possible by the ability to collect, transport, and share information quickly and intelligently," Haser said. "Experiment Alpha and other initial experiments at the Center represent a powerful foundation for experimentation to support effective and repeatable collaborative experimentation with customers."  


Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.  

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http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.16753036.1132153995.Q3tMi8Oa9dUAACDjIrY&modele=jdc_34

 

[a_majoor]

Sadly, it looks like the only Netfires we will see are incoming ones:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/weapons/russian-missile-in-box

Missiles in Boxes: The Pentagon Cancels Plans, Russians Market Theirs

By Joe Pappalardo
Missile in a Box

When Robert Hewson, of Jane's Defence Weekly, saw the promotional video for a new missile system called Club-K, he must have known it was special. A Russian company called Morinformsistema-Agat is marketing a cruise missile that can hide inside and launch from inside a shipping container. The six-minute video depicts an invasion from a neighboring country, and the afflicted nation hiding the missile in a port setting, inside an innocuous grey shipping container. The container's top flips open, the missile extends vertically and launches. In the video (embedded below), music blares—what sounds like the soundtrack to the Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean—as the Club-K's four missiles careen into the sky. The missiles take separate paths, aimed at warships, a concentration of tanks and an airfield.

How could such a weapon be used? For starters, it could make any container ship a clandestine missile boat, able to severely damage an aircraft carrier or escort. It could also be smuggled into a nation and shot from inside that nation's missile defense system. Loaded on trains, they become hidden missile launch sites. Such a system could counter many U.S. advantages, including satellite and UAV reconnaissance imagery and the ability to use ships as a base to support land operations. Remember the less-than-perfect mobile missile Scud huts of the first Gulf War? Imagine if they could hide in nondescript boxes. Close-to-shore terrorism threats also become a little more real, although the chance that a non-state actor would get their hands on one and ship it to the United States seems remote, mainly due to the price and the ability of the United States to track down the culprits via Russia.

The U.S. has its own proposed missile-system-in-a-box plans, but the Army is poised to cancel the project, which was part of the now-defunct Future Combat Systems program. The Navy can't be happy about the prospect, since it was going to use a version of the system on its upcoming Littoral Combat Ship program.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/weapons/russian-missile-in-box

 

[GnyHwy]

These types of weapons and munitions sure are fancy but, what type of target calls for this that we can't already hit with what we have now?

With the way the budget is likely to go, we can only dream that we will get it in 20yrs.

I say conventional with a much more precise approach.

My prediction.  105mm LG1 (fancy 105mm is in development) and 155mm M77 will become a service gun.

THe GMLRS was going to show up but, not likely now.

 

[GnyHwy]

The moving target and target recognition ammo is pretty cool though.

I am wondering about procedure and how we would screw it up, rendering the projectile ineffective cause the moving target would be long gone.

 

[Kirkhill]

This may be the Biggest Bump in Army.ca history.

Bump.

I saw this article about Loitering Attack Munitions and thought back to first time I heard the term. It was in the context of the cancelled NetFires programme.

Loitering Munitions Proliferate As Tech Changes Battlefield

Loitering Munitions Proliferate As Tech Changes Battlefield

www.nationaldefensemagazine.org

As a reminder here is a summary of the programme from Defense Industry Daily

Cheap, Fast, Deadly: NETFIRES "Missiles in a Box" (NLOS-LS) - Defense Industry Daily

NETFIRES concept(click to view larger) The basic concept of NETFIRES is to develop a family of artillery-like precision attack missiles based upon a vertical launcher design. Yet the idea goes far beyond that simple description. The NETFIRES CLU box launcher is intended to be be fully...

www.defenseindustrydaily.com

The basic concept of NETFIRES is to develop a family of artillery-like precision attack missiles based upon a vertical launcher design. Yet the idea goes far beyond that simple description. The NETFIRES CLU box launcher is intended to be be fully autonomous, meaning it can be dropped off anywhere and operate on its own without a support vehicle. The launch unit includes power generation and control systems as well as a total of 15 missiles, each with a warhead similar in size and capability to a 155mm artillery shell.

The system is also known as XM501 Non Line-Of-Sight, Launch System, or NLOS-LS. At one time, it was one of Future Combat systems’ most promising programs, slated for early fielding to the Army and even for integration with US naval forces. It has been canceled in both areas, and its absence threatens to leave a serious hole in both the Army’s and Navy’s modernization plans.

The idea behind the $1.124 billion NETFIRES system development program is to make every engagement an ambush from the enemy’s perspective, by giving even an army platoon the ability to reach out and engage enemy tanks, fortifications, and other targets with sudden, over-the-horizon precision attack. While artillery can already perform this role, NLOS-LS would be able to handle moving targets, from a launch system that is lighter, more versatile, and mountable to a variety of platforms – including the USA’s new frigate-sized Littoral Combat Ships. Its size may also make it convenient as a quick addition to platforms like amphibious support ships, or even support vessels if required.

Light enough to ride in the back of a Humvee, 15-missile Container Launch Units (CLUs) can be rapidly deployed by ground, helicopter, or airdrop throughout an area, then networked by radio to begin engaging the enemy immediately. A JTRS radio link was originally planned, but ongoing difficulties with key clusters, delays, and program restructuring may force the Army to select alternative communication systems.

The Precision Attack Missile (PAM)

is a low-cost direct attack missile that does not loiter, simply fires and hits its target. It will be 7 inches in diameter and weigh about 117 pounds, and will provide fire support out to 40 km/ 25 miles. PAM will include a variable thrust solid rocket motor and a tri-mode seeker that includes uncooled imaging infrared, semi-active laser, and GPS/inertial guidance.

The multi-target warhead and fuse developed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems possesses both a shaped-charge capability, to defeat armored targets, and a blast fragmentation capability for use against buildings, bunkers, small boats, lightly armored vehicles and other soft targets.

In 2004, the Army decided to accelerate fielding of the PAM missile and Container Launch Unit (CLU) box launcher to the Army’s Evaluation Brigade Combat Team, with Spin Out 1 now scheduled for FY 2008. That would be later be pushed back further, to 2011.

The NLOS – LS Loitering Attack Missile (LAM)

was an integral part of the Army’s Future Combat Systems, but has been removed from the program. It was envisioned as a hunter-killer missile with 30 minute loiter time and automatic target recognition via its LADAR seeker; one able to attack high value targets, or report their target locations for attack by other weapons systems like a mini-UAV.

The LAM and its LADAR (LAser-based raDAR) seeker were successfully demonstrated under previous DARPA NETFIRES and U.S. Air Force’s Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) programs. On the other hand, the Army considered the economics of LAM and asked itself: why not just field a real UAV for that job? At present, therefore, NLOS-LS will include only the PAM system.

Militaries who want an artillery solution that can strike moving targets in the 40-90 km belt outside PAM’s range can turn to team member Lockheed Martin. Their privately developed P44 rocket

fits in the popular M270 MLRS, and the tactically portable truck-mounted M142 HIMARS rocket launchers.

A turn of the Millenium project that led thinking on both the Army's Future Combat System and the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship. Both of those projects failed to live up to the timeline and expectations.

But the technologies, the concepts, the notions, were picked up and adapted by others and 20 years on they are being integrated into present day warfighting and being adopted (haltingly) by Real Armies, Nayies and Air Forces.

When you are a 20 year old Lieutenant a 20 year development time line is impossibly long.
When you are a 65 year old retiree - 20 years is yesterday.

 

[Kirkhill]

Netfires – Non Line Of Sight (NLOS) Missile System - Defense Update:

The Non Line-Of-Sight-Land Systems (NLOS-LS) is in development for the US Army by Netfires LLC, a joint venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin

defense-update.com

Are we there yet?

 

[KevinB]

View attachment 72410

Netfires – Non Line Of Sight (NLOS) Missile System - Defense Update:

The Non Line-Of-Sight-Land Systems (NLOS-LS) is in development for the US Army by Netfires LLC, a joint venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin

defense-update.com

View attachment 72411
View attachment 72412

Are we there yet?

LocMart delivered a Spike NLOS system on JLTV this year with a proprietary CLU/mounting system.

Lockheed Martin Delivers Long-Range Precision Strike Missile System on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles

ORLANDO, Fla., May 10, 2022 - Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully delivered the Spike Non-Line-of-Site (NLOS) missile system on the Oshkosh’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to US...

news.lockheedmartin.com

 

[KevinB]

Sorry got distracted while posting the above.

I think that with the UKR conflict ongoing some programs that don’t offer much of an improvement over current systems are being scrapped and reviewing what can be done to current systems is being done.

The goal of NLOS-LS was 40km and while Spike doesn’t have that, it does offer 32km, and between Raytheon and LocMart there is the potential to upgrade the seeker head and other aspects to increase its ability and lethality.
Plus the ability to make a clip on CLU for vehicles means anything current in service can be upgraded to use this.

 

[Kirkhill]

One of the intriguing concepts of the NetFires project was an ability to drop off magazines of 15 missiles to any site in any number and have them launch from the magazine direct to target.

My sense is that there is continued movement in that direction.

 

[Kirkhill]

US Army sheds light on AML unmanned HIMARS launcher

After first trialing a specially-adapted HIMARS launcher as an autonomous system in September last year, the US Army has provided further details on the concept. The Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) takes a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System — or HIMARS — and modifies it with hardware an

defbrief.com

The Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) takes a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System — or HIMARS — and modifies it with hardware and software to be controlled remotely and driven autonomously.

So it seems the US Army is proceeding along a similar track as the USMC with their NMESIS programme - the optionally manned JLTV armed with the NSM missile.



To my eye there doesn't look to be a lot of difference between those vehicles and this vehicle



Except that the pods are mounted on a pallet.

Just as they are in this NASAMs system





And in this Polish Coastal Defence System that uses the same NSM missile as the USMC NMESIS but employs the NASAMS C2 architecture



All of the above systems can also be fired from the ground



All of which suggests to me that the day of NETFIRES is getting closer and closer.

It also suggests to me that the future of artillery looks to be more of a small cadre of professional gunners and armourers for C2, Targeting and Maintenance and a number of truck drivers with PLS trucks whose primary job is long haul convoys - and with the autonomous controls and follow me systems you only need one driver per truck. One driver in three can be on watch while the other two are literally asleep at the wheel.

Unmanned, autonomous ROBOT TRUCK CONVOY 'drives though town'

US Army droid teamsters 'avoid pedestrians' without trouble

www.theregister.com

Once the launchers, with their missiles, are in place, one option available is for the drivers to drop off their loads and abandon their launchers leaving the missiles to the remotely sited gunners in their command post. Or perhaps the missiles stay on the trucks and the drivers retire to safety while they or the gunners jockey the trucks around the site to make them harder targets.

Either way, driving trucks seems to be a great job for the reserves.

 

[Kirkhill]

Continuing the thought

Saab of Sweden, Nammo of Norway and Boeing of the US have produced this containerized concept. It puts a HIMARS/MLRS pod inside a remotely operated TEU-20 container.

That means, in addition to short range ballistic missiles and GMRLS/ER missiles the same concept can be applied to the GLSDB (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb), ATACMS and PrSM (>500 km).



The GLSDB can carry both the GBU-39/B and the GBU-53/B bombs creating a missile that can deliver rounds to 150km, hit targets in 6400 mils, on reverse slopes, static or moving and hit them with 1-10m CEP accuracy.

Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb | Saab

Developed in partnership with Boeing, our GLSDB is exceptionally flexible, highly effective and accurate over long distances.

www.saab.com

Which prompted this thought



The AOPS has room for 3x TEU-20 containers, with utility hook ups, in its stern.

12x GLSDB with 150km range and 2x PrSM with >500km range would put a considerable sting in her tail.


The USN has already tried containerized SM-6s on a USV. Maybe the AOPS can become part of the NORAD system.

U.S. Navy deploys SM-6 missile on USV Ranger for tests - Naval Post- Naval News and Information

According to a video released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy deployed four-pack of containerized SM-6 launchers on an unmanned surface vessel "Ranger" for tests.

navalpost.com

 

[GK .Dundas]

Continuing the thought

Saab of Sweden, Nammo of Norway and Boeing of the US have produced this containerized concept. It puts a HIMARS/MLRS pod inside a remotely operated TEU-20 container.

That means, in addition to short range ballistic missiles and GMRLS/ER missiles the same concept can be applied to the GLSDB (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb), ATACMS and PrSM (>500 km).

View attachment 72626View attachment 72627

The GLSDB can carry both the GBU-39/B and the GBU-53/B bombs creating a missile that can deliver rounds to 150km, hit targets in 6400 mils, on reverse slopes, static or moving and hit them with 1-10m CEP accuracy.

Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb | Saab

Developed in partnership with Boeing, our GLSDB is exceptionally flexible, highly effective and accurate over long distances.

www.saab.com

Which prompted this thought

View attachment 72629

The AOPS has room for 3x TEU-20 containers, with utility hook ups, in its stern.

12x GLSDB with 150km range and 2x PrSM with >500km range would put a considerable sting in her tail.


The USN has already tried containerized SM-6s on a USV. Maybe the AOPS can become part of the NORAD system.

U.S. Navy deploys SM-6 missile on USV Ranger for tests - Naval Post- Naval News and Information

According to a video released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy deployed four-pack of containerized SM-6 launchers on an unmanned surface vessel "Ranger" for tests.

navalpost.com

View attachment 72628

Colin will be so pleased.

 

[GR66]

It makes total sense to have a palletized and/or containerized version of a VLS that can be hauled around by a standard truck (or placed on the ground or on a ship). Multiple missile types that can be used for different purposes but with a different control unit.

Simplifies logistics support for the transport vehicles (uses the same type as your standard heavy transport) and makes it more difficult for the enemy to target your weapon systems (hmm....is the container on that truck a missile launcher or a load of toilet paper?)

 

[dimsum]

It makes total sense to have a palletized and/or containerized version of a VLS that can be hauled around by a standard truck (or placed on the ground or on a ship). Multiple missile types that can be used for different purposes but with a different control unit.

Simplifies logistics support for the transport vehicles (uses the same type as your standard heavy transport) and makes it more difficult for the enemy to target your weapon systems (hmm....is the container on that truck a missile launcher or a load of toilet paper?)

Or, container ships as arsenal ships.

 

[GR66]

It makes total sense to have a palletized and/or containerized version of a VLS that can be hauled around by a standard truck (or placed on the ground or on a ship). Multiple missile types that can be used for different purposes but with a different control unit.

Simplifies logistics support for the transport vehicles (uses the same type as your standard heavy transport) and makes it more difficult for the enemy to target your weapon systems (hmm....is the container on that truck a missile launcher or a load of toilet paper?)

So what we need is to have something like three levels of multi-munition launch tubes.

Type 1 - A light pod (or cluster of pods) that can be mounted on a light vehicle like the JLTV or ISV (or Kirkhill's Milverado) that can fire a selection of smaller munitions like 70mm guided rockets, MANPAD-type SAMs, light ATGMs, smaller UAVs/Loitering Munitions, etc.


Type 2 - A heavier launch cluster the size of a Pallet that can be placed on the ground/ship deck or mounted on heavier vehicles like the LAV, the rear section of a BVS 10, etc. that can fire a heavier range of Rockets, SAMs, Hellfire-class ATGMs, and UAV's/Loitering munitions.


and Type 3 - A Shipping Container-sized system that can again be placed on the ground/ship deck or on the back of a heavy transport vehicle to fire the largest group of land and anti-ship missiles, SAMs and UAVs/Loitering Munitions.

 

[Kirkhill]

It strikes me that these modules could be deployed in the Argo/Sherpa UGVs but could also be deployed in the back of a pickup truck, on a trailer, on the ground, on a BV206....

Tie the support team to the modules - not to the vehicle.

 

[GR66]

It strikes me that these modules could be deployed in the Argo/Sherpa UGVs but could also be deployed in the back of a pickup truck, on a trailer, on the ground, on a BV206....

Tie the support team to the modules - not to the vehicle.

Exactly what I was thinking. The Type 1 and 2 modules could have standard mounting/powering connection points something like a scaled-down version of the Boxer or a STANFLEX module.