Seawolf Real Life Question

Kirk · 09-22-06, 12:32 PM

Is it true that on a real Seawolf Class that they do not use the Harpoon missle? Next question is about the tubes. Are each tube designed for a different weapon? Say tubes 1 & 2 for the Mark 48, tubes 3 & 4 for the harpoon(if they really use them in real life) and tubes 5 - 8 for the tomahawk? Or are the tubes all the same? Because I can't see how a tube for a Mark 48 would also work for a tomahawk or harpoon? The reason I ask this, is I though I read somewhere in real life that a harpoon could fit in the VLS on the 688 class? Sorry about being picky, I just would like to play the sim as in real life. Thanks for any thought.

awood6535 · 09-22-06, 02:18 PM

From what I have seen The navy is not showing any harpoons being loaded on any of our subs. As for the tubes the are all the same 8-660mm torpedo tubes.But sea wolf was designed for
50 Tomahawk cruise missiles or
50 Harpoon antiship missiles or
50 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes or
up to 100 mines

as for the harpoon I haven't heard about it beeing able to launch from a VLS tube but I wouldn't see a problem. And remember your not being picky your paying attention to detail.

Henson · 09-22-06, 03:07 PM

The Harpoon has been deemed less useful for subsurface platforms than the ADCAP torpedo. Likewise the TASM. The sublaunched harpoon has been out of service longer than I have been IN the service. The TASMs have all been converted to TLAMs nd shot at Iraq by now.

As for the tube question, our tubes are fitted to carry any weapon we have on board. They basically fit the weapon to the tube, not the other way around. VLS is significantly different from CLS (torpedo tube launched) weapons; it is, in effect, a completely different weapons system.

I hope this answers your questions.

SeaQueen · 09-22-06, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henson

The Harpoon has been deemed less useful for subsurface platforms than the ADCAP torpedo. Likewise the TASM. The sublaunched harpoon has been out of service longer than I have been IN the service. The TASMs have all been converted to TLAMs nd shot at Iraq by now.

I think it's interesting because even though they don't deploy Harpoons anymore, they still fund R&D on "the next Harpoon." I think they want to maintain the capability of deploying a sub launched ASCM, even though they don't anticipate them being useful against their estimated future threats.

Henson · 09-22-06, 08:56 PM

The technology hasn't caught up with the intent of the missile yet. Until things advance a little further, it's in the realm of pointlessness to have an over-the-horizon weapon deployed from submarines. It's the equivalent of bringing a cannon to a kinfe fight...unwieldy and impractical.

Kirk · 09-23-06, 08:13 AM

Thanks all. That does clear things up. Never served in the Navy but very interested in the boats & weapons.

SeaQueen · 09-23-06, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henson

The technology hasn't caught up with the intent of the missile yet. Until things advance a little further, it's in the realm of pointlessness to have an over-the-horizon weapon deployed from submarines. It's the equivalent of bringing a cannon to a kinfe fight...unwieldy and impractical.

It also raises the question, why didn't you just target the ship for a strike by aircraft? I guess ASCMs from subs, from are US perspective, a really very Kola Penninsula/Norwegian Sea.

09-22-06, 12:32 PM	#1
Kirk Helmsman Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 102 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Seawolf Real Life Question Is it true that on a real Seawolf Class that they do not use the Harpoon missle? Next question is about the tubes. Are each tube designed for a different weapon? Say tubes 1 & 2 for the Mark 48, tubes 3 & 4 for the harpoon(if they really use them in real life) and tubes 5 - 8 for the tomahawk? Or are the tubes all the same? Because I can't see how a tube for a Mark 48 would also work for a tomahawk or harpoon? The reason I ask this, is I though I read somewhere in real life that a harpoon could fit in the VLS on the 688 class? Sorry about being picky, I just would like to play the sim as in real life. Thanks for any thought. __________________ -Kirk

09-23-06, 08:13 AM	#6
Kirk Helmsman Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 102 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Thanks all. That does clear things up. Never served in the Navy but very interested in the boats & weapons. __________________ -Kirk

09-22-06, 02:18 PM	#2
awood6535 A-ganger Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grove City ,Ohio Posts: 72 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	From what I have seen The navy is not showing any harpoons being loaded on any of our subs. As for the tubes the are all the same 8-660mm torpedo tubes.But sea wolf was designed for 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles or 50 Harpoon antiship missiles or 50 Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes or up to 100 mines as for the harpoon I haven't heard about it beeing able to launch from a VLS tube but I wouldn't see a problem. And remember your not being picky your paying attention to detail.

09-22-06, 03:07 PM	#3
Henson Planesman Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 185 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	The Harpoon has been deemed less useful for subsurface platforms than the ADCAP torpedo. Likewise the TASM. The sublaunched harpoon has been out of service longer than I have been IN the service. The TASMs have all been converted to TLAMs nd shot at Iraq by now. As for the tube question, our tubes are fitted to carry any weapon we have on board. They basically fit the weapon to the tube, not the other way around. VLS is significantly different from CLS (torpedo tube launched) weapons; it is, in effect, a completely different weapons system. I hope this answers your questions.

09-22-06, 08:56 PM	#5
Henson Planesman Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 185 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	The technology hasn't caught up with the intent of the missile yet. Until things advance a little further, it's in the realm of pointlessness to have an over-the-horizon weapon deployed from submarines. It's the equivalent of bringing a cannon to a kinfe fight...unwieldy and impractical.