US Navy News and updates

[barney41]

The Iranian Navy put on a show in the Hormuz Strait, with swarming boat attacks blowing up a huge mockup of a Nimitz-class CVN. If the idea was to intimidate the US Navy, it was a bust. Per Commander Kevin Stephens, the spokesman for the US navy's fifth fleet... "We're quite confident of our naval forces' ability to defend themselves. It seems they've attempted to destroy the equivalent of a Hollywood movie set."
LOL, the North Koreans probably wish they had thought of this stunt.

Iran Just Blew Up a Fake American Aircraft Carrier

 

[Ranger25]

The Iranian Navy put on a show in the Hormuz Strait, with swarming boat attacks blowing up a huge mockup of a Nimitz-class CVN. If the idea was to intimidate the US Navy, it was a bust. Per Commander Kevin Stephens, the spokesman for the US navy's fifth fleet... "We're quite confident of our naval forces' ability to defend themselves. It seems they've attempted to destroy the equivalent of a Hollywood movie set."
LOL, the North Koreans probably wish they had thought of this stunt.

Iran Just Blew Up a Fake American Aircraft Carrier

Thank You!

Pretty funny actually, made for domestic consumption I would assume.

 

[Blackshoe]

The Iranian Navy put on a show in the Hormuz Strait, with swarming boat attacks blowing up a huge mockup of a Nimitz-class CVN. If the idea was to intimidate the US Navy, it was a bust. Per Commander Kevin Stephens, the spokesman for the US navy's fifth fleet... "We're quite confident of our naval forces' ability to defend themselves. It seems they've attempted to destroy the equivalent of a Hollywood movie set."

Iran Just Blew Up a Fake American Aircraft Carrier

Very odd timing on the part of the IRGC, viz the ongoing (and close to finishing) P5+1 talks. Noble Prophet has been tamer for the last few years, and then...this. Pretty provocative, unless they are sure that there's not going to be any response (which they might be at this point, actually).

 

[StobieWan]

There was a BMD test off the coast of Virginia earlier in the week.

Defense.gov News Article: Missile Defense System Performs Successful Flight Test

The comments about a distributed engagement system for ABM work are very interesting - worth taking a look at the link for more information if anyone's interested - being able to assess which of the shooters are best placed to engage and avoid over-commitment of missiles during a multi ship engagement is likely to be key to fending off a large attack.

 

[Ranger25]

The comments about a distributed engagement system for ABM work are very interesting - worth taking a look at the link for more information if anyone's interested - being able to assess which of the shooters are best placed to engage and avoid over-commitment of missiles during a multi ship engagement is likely to be key to fending off a large attack.

I thought the same, ideal for ASCM saturation attacks on a CSG

 

[barney41]

I thought the same, ideal for ASCM saturation attacks on a CSG

It reads to me like DWES may be limited to the to the BMD role.

 

[AegisFC]

Hellfire has begun testing for use on LCS.

PEO LCS Begins At Sea Testing of Modified Longbow Hellfire Missile - USNI News

 

[barney41]

Hellfire has begun testing for use on LCS.

PEO LCS Begins At Sea Testing of Modified Longbow Hellfire Missile - USNI News

Should be great for fending off swarm attacks that manage to get by Hellfire-equipped Seahawks and Firescouts.

 

[Ranger25]

Should be great for fending off swarm attacks that manage to get by Hellfire-equipped Seahawks and Firescouts.

But many Iranian Fast boats feature ASMs with far longer ranges than the Hellfire,

 

[barney41]

But many Iranian Fast boats feature ASMs with far longer ranges than the Hellfire,

It's one additional layer that they would have to deal with. Other layers extend farther out. USN doctrine is no ship fights alone.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

Hellfire has begun testing for use on LCS.

PEO LCS Begins At Sea Testing of Modified Longbow Hellfire Missile - USNI News

It would be nice if they could boost the range of the Hellfire's to at least the surface range of the LCS' radar system. But, I guess there are also serious constraints and limitations based on the planned dimensions of the NLOS-PAM on how they can increase the missiles range.

By the way does anyone know what that surface radar coverage distance would be? I could estimate it, but I don't know how high above the waterline the radar is mounted. I would guesstimate it's likely to be somewhere in the area of 10-to-12 miles.

 

[barney41]

It would be nice if they could boost the range of the Hellfire's to at least the surface range of the LCS' radar system. But, I guess there are also serious constraints and limitations based on the planned dimensions of the NLOS-PAM on how they can increase the missiles range.

By the way does anyone know what that surface radar coverage distance would be? I could estimate it, but I don't know how high above the waterline the radar is mounted. I would guesstimate it's likely to be somewhere in the area of 10-to-12 miles.

The US Army has issued a RFP for EM&D and possible LRIP for JAGM Increment 1 which is to convert existing Hellfire to dual-mode seeker ie. SAL and mmW. JAGM roadmap has range increasing to 12Km and 16Km in Increments 2 and 3, respectively.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

The US Army has issued a RFP for EM&D and possible LRIP for JAGM Increment 1 which is to convert existing Hellfire to dual-mode seeker ie. SAL and mmW. JAGM roadmap has range increasing to 12Km and 16Km in Increments 2 and 3, respectively.

Those ranges really have no correlation with the weapons possible future use on the LCS. They are based on horizontal rail launches. What ever fills the requirement of the LCS' Surface-to-Surface Missile System (SSMS) will use vertical launch, which will significantly reduce it's organic range.

 

[barney41]

Those ranges really have no correlation with the weapons possible future use on the LCS. They are based on horizontal rail launches. What ever fills the requirement of the LCS' Surface-to-Surface Missile System (SSMS) will use vertical launch, which will significantly reduce it's organic range.

Yes, but you don't think doubling the range over Increment 1 won't translate into a longer effective range? Hellfire or JAGM is just one part of the puzzle.

 

[ADMk2]

Those ranges really have no correlation with the weapons possible future use on the LCS. They are based on horizontal rail launches. What ever fills the requirement of the LCS' Surface-to-Surface Missile System (SSMS) will use vertical launch, which will significantly reduce it's organic range.

Unless a booster is added to the propulsion system, which is pretty standard for converted air launched weapons, modified for naval use...

Sparrow -> Sea Sparrow -> Evolved Sea Sparrow and Harpoon are examples that spring to mind for this...

 

[CB90]

But many Iranian Fast boats feature ASMs with far longer ranges than the Hellfire,

True, but it also helps if air support platforms can prioritize larger/longer ranged threats instead of having to worry about the swarm of smaller boats pushing in. Having the Longbow Hellfire on LCS lowers the priority of the close in swarm.

Also, the air support platforms could prioritize larger/longer ranged threats first.

Those ranges really have no correlation with the weapons possible future use on the LCS. They are based on horizontal rail launches. What ever fills the requirement of the LCS' Surface-to-Surface Missile System (SSMS) will use vertical launch, which will significantly reduce it's organic range.

Certainly a concern now, but I'd be surprised if the vertical launch version doesn't ultimately end up having greater or at least comparable to air launch range. Hellfire is a pretty short missile, even for the shorter launcher lengths available for an LCS, which leaves a lot of room for a good sized booster to bump that range out quite a bit.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

Certainly a concern now, but I'd be surprised if the vertical launch version doesn't ultimately end up having greater or at least comparable to air launch range. Hellfire is a pretty short missile, even for the shorter launcher lengths available for an LCS, which leaves a lot of room for a good sized booster to bump that range out quite a bit.

No, not really. The Hellfire is already longer than the cancelled NLOS PAM. The NLOS PAM was designed as 60 inches long, with the individual round canisters being 69 in x 11 in x 11 in. An AGM-114L Hellfire (the Longbow MMR version to be use aboard the LCS) is 69.2 inches long. Every decision the USN has made so far would seem to indicate that they intend to have whatever system they use (in simple terms) to fit into the holes already in the boats.

Of course, they could possibly go up, and protrude above the originally intended deck limits. But, that might interfere with the traversing to the rear of the 30mm cannons on the Freedom-class ships.

 

[RobWilliams]

US Navy Details New Strike Fighter Need

Explanation from the CNO about SHornet/F-35C procurement. Interesting read, but here's something pleasant to read. Imagine what an integrated air wing with F/A-18E/F + F-35C + E-2D will be capable of.

"I am trying to get rid of the myth that all the Navy wants to do is continue F-18 Es and Fs. If I only have F-18 Es and Fs in 2024 I can't win. I have to have a number of F-35C squadrons."

"What I try to do is avoid — because it's not true — the F-18 Boeing versus the Lockheed Martin F-35" story line, he said. "Because for the United States Navy, it's not all about getting the F-35, it's about getting the integrated capabilities of the high-end war fight, which takes the F-18 E/F and the F-35C. It takes them both."

 

[John Fedup]

US Navy Details New Strike Fighter Need

Explanation from the CNO about SHornet/F-35C procurement. Interesting read, but here's something pleasant to read. Imagine what an integrated air wing with F/A-18E/F + F-35C + E-2D will be capable of.

I think the USN appreciates what the F-35C will offer and is still committed. However, the delays necessitate the need for addtional jets and procuring more SH/Growlersis just makes sense. The other way of looking at this the USN wants to CTAs because they don't trust LM to come close to their delivery promises.

 

[Ranger25]

I think the USN appreciates what the F-35C will offer and is still committed. However, the delays necessitate the need for addtional jets and procuring more SH/Growlersis just makes sense. The other way of looking at this the USN wants to CTAs because they don't trust LM to come close to their delivery promises.

Boeing has developed the F15SE with internals weapons bays and increased stealth, sort ot a Gen 4++/5- airframe. Why not upgrade current F18s in a similar fashion to lengthen their service lives and survivability. I know it hasn't been discussed but why not? Could be economical and keep the line open.