Sidemounted RAM launcher?

[kato]

In a random search i've found this patent from 1991 online, which describes an upgrade to Mk45 5-inch guns with two full 21-cell RAM pods mounted somehow on the side of the turret. The sketch in there (available with login) looks... sci-fi to say the least.

Has this ever actually been considered by the USN or potential other Mk45 / RAM users?
Are there any other similar "alternative" RAM mounting concepts except of course the full launcher and SeaRAM?

 

[AegisFC]

I've seen that drawing before, don't know how well it would work though. The added weight would add a lot of strain on the motors of the gun mount for example.

 

[gf0012-aust]

Are there any other similar "alternative" RAM mounting concepts except of course the full launcher and SeaRAM?

I've only seen such combo mounts on land based assets - although there has been some increasing development on laser/missile, laser/gun combos.

The last one I've physically seen was a Chapparal/25mm combo adapted to the LAV. GD bought a mule out to Australia in the late 90's and I remember seeing this thing parked in the special vehicles bay at JRA.

Depending on what the missile dismount weighs, there shouldn't be too much of a fatigue problem as the ring mounts are undertaxed for load anyway.

IIRC, this mount was going to be trialled on small OPV's and Corvette sized vessels. Never heard anything after I finished at JRA though.....

 

[McTaff]

I'm not too keen on combined mounts only because you may have multiple inbound threats of different types. If you want to use your 5-inch on something like medium sized attack craft, then it is possible there could be airborne or land launched missiles from another direction. Kinda sucks if you can only have your point-defence in one direction.

In theory it would work, though.

Added weight could potentially put a fair load on when slewing the mount due to the added inertia of the mount itself, so an uprated motor might be in order if it would prove insufficient. I'm no engineer, so I'm only putting it out there.

As for the LAV and the missile/cannon combo; this sort of thing has been around for a while on the Bradley as the M6 Linebacker, although we are comparing apples and.. well... something that is not an apple. Pool table?

 

[zrok]

I don't think that it would work. Unless the mount was redesigned to get access to the components inside the turret. The MK45 has two pretty good sized access doors on the side of the turret.