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Originally Posted by LuftWolf
It is well known that the Mk60 CAPTOR mine can be submarine launched, so I'm wondering what you folks think about replacing the SLMM on the US submarines with the Mk60 CAPTOR Mine.
The submarine launched Mk60 CAPTOR Mine will have all the features of the air dropped CAPTOR, as well as a 4nm max range and 31kts max speed when under its own power to reach its enable point, at which time it will automatically stop and then behave exactly like the air dropped version of the weapon.
Cheers,
David |
I know of no such weapon (self-propelled sub-launched CAPTOR). When launched from a sub, the CAPTOR simply drops its 'anchor' where it was deployed. Furthermore, CAPTOR doesn't fit in well with today's emphasis on littoral ops.
"About 2,500 Mk60 ASW CAPTOR (enCAPsulated TORpedo) mines are being phased out because, as deepwater weapons, they do not meet the shallow-water littoralconflict needs of the future. Planned to be retired by the end of 2001." SEAPOWER Magazine, July 2000
I vote to keep the SLMM, which is something I am familiar with and gives a unique capability to the game.
"The SLMM is a self-propelled, torpedo-like weapon that travels underwater after leaving the submarine and comes to rest on the seafloor at the end of the run. The mine is then activated and can attack passing surface ships or submarines. This is the U.S. Navy's only self propelled mine
, with an electric motor providing a range of some 17,000 yards."
If you really want something different, then how about the Improved SLMM?
"Because their covertness permits them to enter waters denied to surface ships or aircraft, submarines can be highly effective in both minelaying and mine reconnaissance. Most attack submarines can carry the Submarine Launched Mobile Mine (SLMM) as part of their weapon loadout. Indeed, the Submarine Force keeps a fixed number of SLMMs on forward-deployed boats to fulfill specific Theater CINC warfighting requirements.
Improved Submarine-Launched Mobile Mine (ISLMM)
"Because of the significant “force-multiplier” value of naval mines, the Navy has decided to pursue an innovative modification of early variants of the Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo to an Improved SLMM configuration. A joint effort with the Royal Australian Navy, ISLMM will provide the covert capability to plant minefields from a safe standoff distance throughout the world’s littoral regions, to interdict military and hostile commercial traffic, and thereby support sea control and battlespace dominance needs. ISLMM characteristics offer increased range and precision placement accuracy, course-change capabilities, low-cost maintenance, and greater loadout for the delivery submarine compared to the obsolescent Mk 67 SLMM. Armed with two warheads [which can be dropped separately], each ISLMM will be able to attack two separate targets. The Mk 48-based delivery vehicle will be compatible with all current and future submarine weapons-handling rooms and launch tubes." UNDERSEA WARFARE MAGAZINE, Issue #3