Author Topic: navalized MLRS (Read 291 times)

Nilsen · « **on:** November 07, 2006, 07:37:46 AM »

Does anyone have any info in this system?
The germans are putting that and a 155mm cannon from the pzh2000 artillery system on the new F125 Frigates.

To me it sounds like a great combintation of weapons for land attack, and one that will prolly cost less to develope and maintain in the long run than similar systems buildt from the bottom up for warships. German engeneering will prolly make the systems work great on ships. My only consern is limited range.. 18 miles, but that may be enugh to support the troops just on the coast and abit inland.

Overall the F125 looks like a very potent system with all the other weapons, AUVs, commandos and sensors they are putting on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F125

Hornet33 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2006, 10:19:14 AM »

Wow that's the first time I've heard of using the MLRS system on a ship. I wonder if they will use the standard M26 rockets or the ATACMS Missle with the thing? At least with the ATACMS they get over 100 miles range. Of course they also have the new GPS guided rockets now as well.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2006, 10:24:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hornet33
Wow that's the first time I've heard of using the MLRS system on a ship. I wonder if they will use the standard M26 rockets or the ATACMS Missle with the thing? At least with the ATACMS they get over 100 miles range. Of course they also have the new GPS guided rockets now as well.

They used something simular during WWII in the pacific to support Marine Landings.

My guess is they'd go with something like the ATACMS for the simple fact that 16 miles will barely reach the coast in some areas.

Nilsen · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2006, 10:32:22 AM »

They say its a 12 round launcher, so im guessing its standard "ammo". I bet it will be GPS guided tho.

Perhaps they could Use ATACMS by replacing the tubes within the launcher but doesnt those missiles burn more ground around the base of the launcher than the standard rockets?

They have magazines on the ships, and perhaps some sort of loading system similar to the old ASROC system but that would make it more difficult to use ATACMS.

Viking · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2006, 10:40:45 AM »

There is one thing I find questionable about that ship. It completely lacks a shipboard ASW weapon system. In heavy seas with its two helicopters grounded it will be completely defenseless against even the most outdated sub. And since it is supposed to operate close to shore to support troops and whatnot … that's the diesel-electric's playground.

Viking · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2006, 10:46:50 AM »

LOL Interesting naming of ships. The German Lütjens class of destroyers are named: Lütjens (captain of the Bismarck), Mölders (LW fighter pilot), and Rommel (yes the fox himself).

Not very politically correct these Germans!

Chairboy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2006, 10:51:12 AM »

I've wondered about how modular surface weaponry could be adapted to use in the sea. In the spirit of the old Q-Ships, seems like parking a few Paladin self propelled artillery pieces on the deck of a container ship could provide a cheap bombardment platform, for instance. Put a patriot battery on same and you have air defense, add a squadron of Av-8Bs or F-35 STOLs and you have an inexpensive platform for launching long range sorties, and the whole thing can be whipped together in a few weeks in an emergency.

I can't imagine a situation where the existing naval assets wouldn't be enough, but I bet there are contingency plans to that effect in some dusty file cabinet.

Nilsen · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2006, 11:03:00 AM »

Im guessing the biggest problem may be the salty sea air and seaspray. There may be some issues with fiering some weapons from a rolling deck too if the land verision is not designed to fire on the move. Firecontrol should not be a problem tho... abit of cable and station should do it.

Hornet33 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2006, 02:09:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
They say its a 12 round launcher, so im guessing its standard "ammo". I bet it will be GPS guided tho.

Perhaps they could Use ATACMS by replacing the tubes within the launcher but doesnt those missiles burn more ground around the base of the launcher than the standard rockets?

They have magazines on the ships, and perhaps some sort of loading system similar to the old ASROC system but that would make it more difficult to use ATACMS.

The MLRS system doesn't individualy load the rockets. They come pre loaded in a modular container. The M26 rocket (6 rockets per container) and the ATACMS (1 missile per container) containers are the same size and load in the launch modual the same way with the same electrical connections. The only difference is the fire control computers and software used to launch the things. Onboard a ship they could have both system hooked up to the same launcher and be able to switch between the two depending on the mission.

The other issue is the stability of the launch platform. For the M26 it is a free flight rocket so the launcher must be perfectly still or the rocket will miss the target. With a guided munition that would be as much of a concern.

Nilsen · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2006, 03:02:41 PM »

Thx Hornet. I knew the innards of the launcher could be changed in some way to allow for different diameter rounds. So its basicly a one sized "box" you slide into the launcher that has either 6 or one round, or is it 12 or one?

Should not be too difficult to build GPS guidance on a projectile the size of the M26 tho. We have MLRS launchers that have been mothballed until such a round with one warhead is available. Bomblet ammo has been forbidden by the government here because of the high number of bomblets that are left behind on the battlefield. The system will prolly be operational again either with ATACMS or smaller (M26 size) guided rounds.