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Subject: Redundancy US missile programs?
dwightlooi    8/11/2004 2:07:12 AM
It seems to me that the US is in the habit of having two or three programs that strive for similar goals and which can be merged into one system. 1) PAC-3 and SM-3. These two could have been one system. Or at least, the SM-3 could have used the PAC-3 airframe. It'll certainly fit into the Mk41 cell envelope. And it is arguably better than relying on the 40 year old TARTAR airframe. 2) THAAD can actually be a land and naval system the 37cm by 6 m THAAD airframe fits neatly into the Mk41 envelope too. And there is no reason why some variation of the missile cannot be put to sea. 3) The ESSM should have been a navalized AMRAAM from the beginning. I am not saying that there aren't technical issues with adapting one system to another use, but whatever it is it'll be more economical than have two separate developments with similar objectives.
 
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doggtag       2/27/2008 12:54:38 PM

As for launcher mods, the Raytheon literature says nothing about it:
ht tp://www.raytheon.com/products/stellent/groups/public/documents/content/cms01_055809.pdf

The MK29, like most mechanical systems from that era was overbuilt, probably for upgrades like ESSM.

Well, I won't argue it.
IIRC (have to dig deep into some 1980's-era books laying around),
Sea Sparrow itself was, originally,
configured with its folded wings to be fired from (at least in its early testing phase) adapted cells of those old 8-round ASRoc launchers (Mk16? Mk 112?),
before the lighter, more familiar Mk29 came into service (always thought the Dutch Kortenaer class frigates were beauts, with their 76/62 gun in A pos and the Mk29 in B pos).
I'd expect that certainly, if the original 8-cell launcher could handle an AsRoc, then a SeaSparrow, and later even ESSM, would've been little difficulty (weight balancing, but I suspect the hardest part was redesigning the proper interfaces to operate Sea Sparrows in addition to ASRoc).
 
Sure, I'll conceded that the Mk29 obviously can fire an ESSM,
but overbuilt or not,
it still looks somewhat flimsy,
especially when compared to the even older AsRoc launcher (complete ASRocs weighed in the neighborhood of 1400 pounds, and close to 13inches in diameter, easily outsizing even an ESSM).
 
(I know its for another thread entirely,
but if they can quad pack a 10inch diameter, 12foot long ESSM into VLS cells, that's where I see again the potential to also fit/fire G-MLRS rockets (or a revamped POLAR) if we want fire support from lesser ships who'll never carry large guns capable of fire support).
 
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GIJane33401       9/15/2008 5:22:04 PM
Saw a 1995 report from the Senate Armed Services Committee that said:
 
Slide 45
nSenate Armed Services Committee?s (104th Congress) Defense Authorization Bill, recommends DoD pursue a restructured program by merging efforts in two other key TMD programs
nOngoing efforts in Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD programs can be merged to produce a mobile hybrid system with 360 degree coverage to replace Corps SAM
nA hybrid system would satisfy the requirement more rapidly and in a more cost-effective manner than the Corps SAM/Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program according to the report
nIf implemented properly, production of the new system could be phased into ongoing PAC-3 production thereby providing savings from both ends of the spectrum
 
Obviously the two programs were never merged, but I wonder if this is still a possibility, especially with a declining defense budget.
 
Any thoughts?

 
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B.Smitty       11/7/2008 2:37:11 PM
 
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B.Smitty       11/7/2008 2:41:31 PM
*sigh*  Let's try that link again.
 
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B.Smitty       11/7/2008 2:42:43 PM
Third time's a charm? Link
 
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dwightlooi       11/9/2008 12:03:47 PM

*sigh*  Let's try that link again.

Maybe this will help? The SLAMRAAM-ER or ASSM -- Surface-Launched AMRAAM Extended Range or Active Sea Sparrow Missile -- same thing really. Basically an ESSM motor and warhead mated to an AIM-120D seeker/guidance package. An Active missile (with available semi-active mode), ~50km range and a Mach 4+ burnout velocity from zero-zero ground launch.
 
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6436/aa26e55cacda4a549ae14d2be6.jpg" /> 
 
 
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benellim4       2/27/2009 8:23:22 PM
OK, the idea of an AIM-120 seeker on a RIM-162 makes me feel all warm inside.
 
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