ComNavOps,
along with many readers, has called for looking into the possibility of
mounting a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) on ships to provide firepower
support for troops ashore.
To refresh
your memory, the Army’s M270 MLRS can
fire, among other munitions, 12 guided rockets with a range
of 60+ km (37+ miles) with a unitary high explosive (HE) warhead or a
payload of 404 M85 submunitions.
Alternatively, the MLRS can fire the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile
System (ATACMS) which is a ballistic missile with a range of 300 km (186 miles)
and a 500 lb HE warhead. ATACMS is being
upgraded with a new seeker to enable it to hit moving targets including targets
at sea. The missile occupies the same
space as six of the smaller rockets in the MLRS launcher enabling two to be
fired from a single launcher.
The Army seems to be replacing the MLRS with the M-142 High
Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) which is a lighter version of the
MLRS but with only half the weapon capacity.
Thus, a HIMARS can fire 6 smaller rockets or 1 ATACMS.
We see, then, that the Army already has the long range rocket
system that the Navy has spent $24 billion dollars on in the form of the
Zumwalt program and which has totally failed due to the prohibitive cost of the
rockets.
To bring us completely up to date, USNI News website reports
that the Marines have test fired a HIMARS system from the deck of an amphibious
ship (1). This is both good news and
stupid news.
 |
| HIMARS - Publicity Stunt With Potential |
First, the stupid …
Firing HIMARS from the deck of a ship is a publicity stunt, at
best. Such an application is unworkable
for a variety of reasons. The HIMARS
system includes a launcher vehicle, resupply vehicle, and two resupply trailers. This is space and volume that no ship has to
spare. Someone, at least, seems to
recognize this.
“And
then,” said O’Connor [Rear Adm. Cathal O’Connor, ESG-3 commander], “there is
the question of trade-offs because ships are limited in volume, weight and
personnel. So in order to bring X, we’d have to give up Y. So it’s something to
consider.” (1)
That’s why the idea of placing trucks on the deck of an
amphibious ship is silly. The deck space
is already completely accounted for and utilized. Some essential function, like helos and
MV-22s, would have to be sacrificed to accommodate the MLRS.
Further, a non-marinized HIMARS truck sitting out on the deck
of a ship, subject to saltwater and the elements, will quickly corrode into
inoperability.
Frankly, this stunt just smacks of more of the Marine’s
recent trend to try to be and do all things instead of concentrating on its
unique role and doing it well.
Now, the good news …
It appears that someone is at least thinking along the right lines. As stated in many previous posts and
comments, a MLRS system adapted to naval vessels is an outstanding idea. The base system and munitions are already fully
developed and in production with fully matured and understood costs.
The two main challenges to adapting MLRS to a ship are
developing a naval launcher and writing code to allow the launcher to function
on a constantly moving ship as opposed to the rock solid base of dry land.
Developing a permanent naval launcher, possibly a box
launcher along the lines of the old Mk112 ASROC or the Mk29 Sea Sparrow
launcher should not be that difficult.
We already know how to build both if we can resist the temptation to reinvent
the wheel and gold plate it.
The software, or at least the basis for it, has already been
developed, according to the article.
Having noted the stupidity of a truck on the deck of an
amphibious ship, a viable alternative is a purpose built ship designed to
operate MLRS launchers. Such a system would
possibly be a good fit for the LCS. The ample
flight deck and hangar space could be converted to launchers, magazines, reload
mechanisms, and support mechanisms. The
resulting modified fire support LCS could be highly useful as a ground forces
firepower support vessel. Add in three
or four SeaRAM launchers for self-defense and the ship would be well suited for
close in fire support work. There you
have it – a useful purpose for the LCS!
(1)USNI News website, “Marines Fire HIMARS From Ship in Sea
Control Experiment With Navy”, Gidget Fuentes, 24-Oct-2017 ,
