This popped up on the ATK site. Looks like a KEI modified for surface to surface applications. It would be convenient (albeit expensive) as it would be air deployable and mobile.
“Forward-Based Conventional Strike
The U.S. Strategic Command has identified a requirement for the rapid fielding of a new, long-range, prompt conventional strike capability against time-sensitive, high-value targets.
ATK Launch Systems is leading a team that includes Textron, Draper Laboratory, and Honeywell to meet this emerging requirement. The FBCS concept proposed by the team will provide a conventional, land-based, penetrating long-range strike capability that will give the National Command Authority a means to attack fixed, hard and deeply buried, mobile and re-locatable targets with improved accuracy anywhere in the world.
The concept is focused on four key tasks:
Integration of highly accurate guidance systems for the launch vehicle and weapon.
Packaging and delivery of conventional weapons capabilities.
Integration of responsible mobile range safety with operational launch command and control.
Demonstration of flight hardware. “
http://www.atk.com/Customer_Solutions_LaunchSystems/cs_ls_m_fbcs.asp
By: sealordlawrence - 25th July 2007 at 19:51
I read somewhere that the sub launched one is only 32″ in diameter so they can fit four per tube.
That could mean up to 72 per sub, could mean enough to allow the USN to destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions for years in just 15 minutes!:eek:
By: sferrin - 25th July 2007 at 19:27
I would have thought that there is alot of cross over between the three projects. I cant imagine there being too much difference between this new missile and the sub launched one.
I read somewhere that the sub launched one is only 32″ in diameter so they can fit four per tube.
By: sealordlawrence - 25th July 2007 at 19:09
Looks like it’s grown even beyond the early figures. It’s up to 39″ in diameter and 40 feet long it looks like (KEI that is). Interesting that ATK is working on this in ADDITION to the IRBM they want to stick in the conventionally armed Ohios.
I would have thought that there is alot of cross over between the three projects. I cant imagine there being too much difference between this new missile and the sub launched one.
By: sferrin - 25th July 2007 at 19:04
I had forgotten how big that thing was! Seems like the perfect candidate for an IRBM though and there is no getting away from the advantages in terms of reaction time. If the USN does get forced down insane road of a 25,000 ton KEI carrying ABM cruiser this might be a way of making it multi-role.
Looks like it’s grown even beyond the early figures. It’s up to 39″ in diameter and 40 feet long it looks like (KEI that is). Interesting that ATK is working on this in ADDITION to the IRBM they want to stick in the conventionally armed Ohios.
By: sealordlawrence - 25th July 2007 at 12:48
Well they’re not quite in the same class. SM-4 is about a foot in diameter and 14 feet long. This thing appears to be based on KEI which is three feet and diameter and 36 feet long. More like a Pershing II (though you can bet your a$$ nobody would point THAT out) than an SM-2.
I had forgotten how big that thing was! Seems like the perfect candidate for an IRBM though and there is no getting away from the advantages in terms of reaction time. If the USN does get forced down insane road of a 25,000 ton KEI carrying ABM cruiser this might be a way of making it multi-role.
By: sferrin - 25th July 2007 at 00:30
Interesting concept, I would be intrigued to know the intended range of the system but it looks like it has promise. It should offer a better reaction time than either aircraft or cruise missiles and removes the need to have an aircraft over defended territory. Depending on size, it might make a good candidate to replace the now defunct land attack version of the SM-2 in the Navy?
Well they’re not quite in the same class. SM-4 is about a foot in diameter and 14 feet long. This thing appears to be based on KEI which is three feet and diameter and 36 feet long. More like a Pershing II (though you can bet your a$$ nobody would point THAT out) than an SM-2.
By: sealordlawrence - 24th July 2007 at 17:15
Interesting concept, I would be intrigued to know the intended range of the system but it looks like it has promise. It should offer a better reaction time than either aircraft or cruise missiles and removes the need to have an aircraft over defended territory. Depending on size, it might make a good candidate to replace the now defunct land attack version of the SM-2 in the Navy?
By: sferrin - 24th July 2007 at 13:44
If you are referring to the de-nuked version of ICBM missiles, there are some discrepancies.
The politicians have major problems with the fact there is no visual differences between the nuclear missiles and the non nuclear ones.
And this may provoke a nucelar reteliation attack by the other nuclear mights.
regards
It helps if you read the article :rolleyes:
By: pleuris - 24th July 2007 at 12:18
Conventional SSM’s
If you are referring to the de-nuked version of ICBM missiles, there are some discrepancies.
The politicians have major problems with the fact there is no visual differences between the nuclear missiles and the non nuclear ones.
And this may provoke a nucelar reteliation attack by the other nuclear mights.
regards
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July 18, 2007 at 2:35 am