DrainBamage
Gold Member
- Dec 31, 2016
- 1,750
- 183
- 140
This has been evolving rapidly over the last few years, from a relatively stagnant state spanning decades to lots of new players as US Military realizes growing threat of China and resurgent Russia.
Legacy
Harpoon - Relatively short ranged for a cruise missile, questions on survivability to target vs. modern warships, and relatively primitive active radar seeker. However we do have a shit ton of them and they are easy to install on open deck space.
SLAM-ER - If it came down to a blue water navy fight, this would be US Navy's primary antiship missile today. Same survivability questions as harpoon, but better warhead and far more advanced seeker with dynamic targeting capabilities. Air launch only, both from F-18 and maritime patrol.
SM-2 - Secondary antishipping role has been proven effective vs. Iran in the Persian Gulf, when USN fired several and crippled an Iranian vessel far faster than they could have with harpoon.
New
JSOW-C1 - Latest version of JSOW that uses a BROACH warhead instead of the submunitions off JSOW-A, and has IIR terminal guidance so can engage moving targets like ships. Technically a glide bomb, but 60 mile standoff range makes it comparable. Went IOC last year, costs half as much as cruise missile with comparable punch but easier to shoot down despite LO characteristics.
SM-6 - Don't laugh, USN actually sunk the former FFG Reuben James (OHP class frigate) in a test with an SM-6 last year. Even with a small warhead a 3,000lb hunk of metal hitting at mach 3 = big problems. They can target them over the horizon so possible 200 mile range using aircraft or other ships for targeting cue. USN is ordering almost 2,000 so numbers will be significant across the fleet.
Future
LRASM - Will the the most advanced antiship cruise missile in the world with 1,000 lb warhead, stealthy, passive seeker, range up to 300 miles (exact is classified), can work completely autonomously to identify the best target in a group. The US has only ordered 250 under a stopgap contract, but will be in the competition for the larger production run in a few years. Despite all the talk of sub and ship launch it is currently only slated for air launch B-1 and F-18.
Tomahawk Block IV - Same old tommy but with a passive radar seeker that can engage moving targets. Longer range but not as sophisticated or survivable as LRASM, big advantage is that it is an upgraded seeker so can be added to existing stock, ships carry them anyway so not VLS tubes used for specialization like LRASM. Also can leverage existing extensive sub launched capabilities of USN.
I've not included Joint Strike Missile, it sounds like a great piece of hardware and will probably equip quite a few of the world's navys but it seems US has thrown their weight behind LRASM and leveraging multimission capabilities with tomahawk upgrade, SM-6, and JSOW-C1.
Legacy
Harpoon - Relatively short ranged for a cruise missile, questions on survivability to target vs. modern warships, and relatively primitive active radar seeker. However we do have a shit ton of them and they are easy to install on open deck space.
SLAM-ER - If it came down to a blue water navy fight, this would be US Navy's primary antiship missile today. Same survivability questions as harpoon, but better warhead and far more advanced seeker with dynamic targeting capabilities. Air launch only, both from F-18 and maritime patrol.
SM-2 - Secondary antishipping role has been proven effective vs. Iran in the Persian Gulf, when USN fired several and crippled an Iranian vessel far faster than they could have with harpoon.
New
JSOW-C1 - Latest version of JSOW that uses a BROACH warhead instead of the submunitions off JSOW-A, and has IIR terminal guidance so can engage moving targets like ships. Technically a glide bomb, but 60 mile standoff range makes it comparable. Went IOC last year, costs half as much as cruise missile with comparable punch but easier to shoot down despite LO characteristics.
SM-6 - Don't laugh, USN actually sunk the former FFG Reuben James (OHP class frigate) in a test with an SM-6 last year. Even with a small warhead a 3,000lb hunk of metal hitting at mach 3 = big problems. They can target them over the horizon so possible 200 mile range using aircraft or other ships for targeting cue. USN is ordering almost 2,000 so numbers will be significant across the fleet.
Future
LRASM - Will the the most advanced antiship cruise missile in the world with 1,000 lb warhead, stealthy, passive seeker, range up to 300 miles (exact is classified), can work completely autonomously to identify the best target in a group. The US has only ordered 250 under a stopgap contract, but will be in the competition for the larger production run in a few years. Despite all the talk of sub and ship launch it is currently only slated for air launch B-1 and F-18.
Tomahawk Block IV - Same old tommy but with a passive radar seeker that can engage moving targets. Longer range but not as sophisticated or survivable as LRASM, big advantage is that it is an upgraded seeker so can be added to existing stock, ships carry them anyway so not VLS tubes used for specialization like LRASM. Also can leverage existing extensive sub launched capabilities of USN.
I've not included Joint Strike Missile, it sounds like a great piece of hardware and will probably equip quite a few of the world's navys but it seems US has thrown their weight behind LRASM and leveraging multimission capabilities with tomahawk upgrade, SM-6, and JSOW-C1.
