In case you missed it, here’s a brief update on ESSM Blk 2
missile deliveries. According to
DOT&E[1], ESSM production missiles began delivery to the Navy in July
2022. Raytheon has just delivered the
500th missile to the Navy.[2]
That’s 500 missiles in a bit over three years. That also tells us what the entire current,
maximum Blk 2 inventory for the Navy is.
Those who envision ships teeming with quad-packed ESSM missiles should
note that a single Burke, with 96 VLS cells, would consume almost the entire
inventory of ESSM Blk 2 missiles!
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| ESSM Blk 2 |
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/10/rtxs-raytheon-delivers-500th-essm-block-2-to-u-s-navy/
2023 max capacity was 300 per year and should now be at 540 per year. So far as I know ours is the only production line so it also serves the entire consortium. https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1791803542572777625?lang=ar
ReplyDeleteI've been told by an acquaintance serving on a Tico that while you *can* quadpack ESSM into a Mk41 cell, there are certain modifications that have to be made to accomodate that, and it's a dockyard job.
ReplyDeleteHe hinted that an average range of ESSM-modified VLS cells would be 8 to 16 cells, because all the cells in a 8-cell bank would need to have the modifications. Which is still some 32 to 64 defensive missiles, to be sure.
I would really like to see the navy develop a twin-arm launcher for the ESSM, basically a scaled down MK26.
DeleteThe twin-arm launcher has the advantage that it can be trained at the incoming missile to eliminate the tip-over time associated with a vertical launch.
And scaled down to ESSM size, the launcher system would penetrate down into the hull spaces significantly less than VLS does, with only the magazine and mechanicals beneath the deck.
This would free up VLS cells for more mission essential weapons like Standards and Tomahawks, with only a very few VLS quad-packed as a backup in case of launcher malfunction or battle damage.
Lutefisk
Hypothetically, let's say China does a cold start Taiwan invasion this afternoon.....what would be the "America of WW2" approach to producing weapons and ordinance? And by that I mean what would be the contractual relationship between the government and the industry producers? What contractual regime would we have to institute to recapitulate the success of WW2 powerhouse industrial capacity?
ReplyDeleteFor example in WW2 Chance Vought produced the F4U corsair as well as Goodyear. We can find other examples of this. But can another contracter also produce the SM2 ? Perhaps the Navy should consider having the losing contractor produce the winning contractors design as well ! But how this is done is another matter due to legalities. But can the navy intiate this step & work out the legalities ? If so this could increase production capacity.
DeleteMeant to say ESSM but this couls hold true for other procurement programs.
DeleteI just watched a video on ww2 synthetic rubber production. The US gov essentially told the 4 major chemical companies commit to cooperating and sharing data with one another or be nationalized. They chose the former and the US syn rubber industry grew to an amazing size at an amazing pace.
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