Raytheon’s Post

Ohio Guided Missile Submarines Were Designed To Be Drone-Carrying Clandestine Command Centers The four converted ballistic missile submarines are so much more than Tomahawk slingers and transports for Navy SEALs. Today, the U.S. Navy’s quartet of converted Ohio class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarines, or SSGNs, are among America’s most powerful, in-demand, and flexible weapons. These giant and secretive submarines are known for their ability to carry up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and dozens of special operations frogmen into contested territory to ply their quiet trade, but really, they are much, much more than that. A decade and a half ago, the U.S. Navy was testing incredible new capabilities that it would subsequently integrate into its four yet to be converted SSGNs, including one highly elaborate, but obscure proof of concept exercise that solidified the SSGN concept for the seagoing service. Here is the story of how these vessels came to be and the highly unique, if not exotic capabilities, from drone mothership to command and control center, they possess.

The fortress fleet concept will challenge naval forces worldwide and necessitate joint doctrine re-design. This is at the heart of the US Army multidomain operations concept where one domain has greater influence + interdependencies over another. In this case, the land domain is more consequential in the success/failure of the maritime domain. “With the dramatic sinking of the Moskva serving as a harbinger of future trends, the Army has an emergent opportunity to reimagine the fortress fleet concept by building out fortified positions at locations that hold critical value to American and coalition interests.” “This evolved approach centers on the age-old role of coastal forts in both antiaccess and protection operations, which continues to be a primary responsibility for Army forces in littoral settings. With dramatically increased missile ranges, a panoply of drone innovations (aerial, surface, and subsurface), and advances in active defense systems currently redefining relationships between fire and maneuver, ground forces can employ a variety of traditional and new targeting arrays to both safeguard forward ports for naval resupply and deny adversary interdiction in troubled regions such as the South China Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Persian Gulf.”

Mk-45 Vertical Launching System VLS Submarines SSN SSGN The Mk-45 Vertical Launching System (VLS) is a submarine-launched missile system used by various types of submarines, including SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) and SSGNs (nuclear-powered guided missile submarines). This VLS allows submarines to launch a variety of missiles while submerged, significantly expanding their capabilities for engaging surface ships, land targets, or other submarines. The Mk-45 VLS is a modular system that can accommodate various types of missiles, including anti-ship missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, and anti-submarine missiles. It provides submarines with enhanced flexibility and firepower, allowing them to perform a wide range of missions effectively. Submarines equipped with the Mk-45 VLS are capable of engaging targets at long ranges while remaining stealthy and difficult to detect. This system significantly enhances the submarines' ability to contribute to both offensive and defensive operations in naval warfare scenarios.

𝐔𝐒 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐚: 𝐈𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐀 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚?  A hulking warship bobbing in the Pacific, its missile silos as empty as a politician’s promises. Until last week, that ship would’ve been limping back to port, tail between its legs. But on October 11, 2024, the USS Chosin pulled off a magic trick that would make David Blaine jealous – reloading its missiles at sea. On October 11, 2024, sailors aboard the USS Chosin used the Transferrable Rearming Mechanism (TRAM) to load an empty missile canister into the ship’s vertical launch system (VLS). This marks a significant milestone for a military branch limited to pier-side missile reloading for decades. Yet, as impressive as this feat is, the Navy still lags behind commercial technology. Moreover, it faces a far greater challenge—a real-world strategic game unfolding off our shores, from the Red Sea to the South China Sea. TRAM, developed by engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, California, where shoreside testing was resumed in July is meant to change the way the Navy fights. Historically, U.S. warships had to make time-consuming trips back to port to reload their missile silos. With TRAM, they can now do that while still steaming ahead, keeping ships in the fight longer. It’s a game changer. Or at least, it should be.

➡️ The U.S. Navy in partnership with Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a historic Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) flight test with four missiles simultaneously in flight. During the 12th Integrated Test Event (ITE-12), the U.S. Navy was able to demonstrate the weapon’s inherent high-end lethality from mission planning through kill chain integration and its effects on the target. All mission objectives were met, reinforcing high confidence in the weapon’s capabilities and superior firepower. Read more: https://hubs.la/Q02s-9jD0 #manufacturer #bostoncenterless #manufacturing #contractmanufacturing #machining #manufacturers #manufacturingindustry #industrial #industrialmanufacturing #aerospace #defense

The Defence Industry Development Strategy is hot off the press (link in the comments). The seven Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities are: 1️⃣ Maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade of ADF aircraft. 2️⃣ Continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment. 3️⃣ Sustainment and enhancement of the combined arms land system. 4️⃣ Domestic manufacture of guided weapons, explosive ordnance and munitions. 5️⃣ Development and integration of autonomous systems. 6️⃣ Integration and enhancement of battlespace awareness and management systems. 7️⃣ Test and evaluation, certification and systems assurance. Now excuse me while I get into a detailed read of all the Defence Industry content... #FutureReady #DefenceIndustry

Perfectly for Coastal Defence!

DragonFire, the groundbreaking laser weapon developed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), has completed successful testing, marking a significant milestone in military technology. Capable of neutralizing drones with unparalleled precision, DragonFire offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional missiles. The recent tests, conducted in January at the Herbrides Range in Scotland, demonstrated the weapon's remarkable accuracy by striking a £1 coin from a kilometer away. Following the triumph of these tests, DragonFire is now poised for full-scale production, with plans underway to integrate the system onto Royal Navy ships within the next five years. This advancement heralds a new era in naval warfare, where laser-directed energy weapons provide instantaneous engagement and inflict structural damage on targets, offering heightened effectiveness compared to conventional armaments. #Auroxatech #DragonFire #UKMoD #laserweapon #navaltechnology #militaryinnovation #RoyalNavy #HerbridesRange #dronecountermeasure #precisionstrike

In ‘Historic’ First 𝗨𝗦 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁-𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗠𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 In a groundbreaking advancement for naval warfare technology, the US Navy, in a collaborative effort with Lockheed Martin, successfully executed the inaugural simultaneous launch of four Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM), heralding a new era in next-generation missile capabilities. This landmark flight test was designed to showcase the missile's superior lethality and its precision in striking targets, effectively serving as the culmination of the latest LRASM configuration's development phase and setting the stage for future enhancements in missile technology. Lockheed Martin confirmed that each missile flawlessly met its designated test goals, from launch to the precise elimination of targets, although detailed specifics of the outcomes were not disclosed. "This event was a testament to our commitment to deliver reliable products that work each and every time, ensuring those who serve stay ahead of ready," stated Lisbeth Vogelpohl, the program director, emphasizing the company's dedication to providing dependable and effective defense solutions. The LRASM stands out as a stealth missile, engineered to deliver unparalleled lethality against well-protected maritime targets. With a striking range of 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 kilometers), it is versatile enough to be deployed from various aircraft platforms. The missile's cutting-edge GPS-assisted guidance system is designed for enhanced target accuracy. However, its most distinctive capability lies in its autonomous course-correction feature, allowing it to adapt its trajectory in response to emerging enemy defenses dynamically. Lisbeth Vogelpohl further remarked, “We have continued to invest in the design and development of LRASM’s anti-surface warfare capabilities to ensure that warfighters have the 21st-century security solutions they need to complete their missions and come home safely.” This statement underscores the strategic importance of the LRASM in modern military operations, providing the US Navy with a formidable tool to maintain superiority in maritime combat and safeguard the lives of service members with state-of-the-art defensive technology. #lrasm #antiship #missile https://lnkd.in/dCJqSc_t

Here's the video of the Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyers, DDG-114 to DDG-119, brought to life in stunning detail! Each model, expertly crafted by Squadron Nostalgia, showcases the power and precision of these modern naval giants! 🚢 From their advanced missile systems to their sleek design, these ships are a testament to cutting-edge maritime engineering. Take a closer look! 🔍 The Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyers are equipped with the Aegis Combat System, making them highly versatile for anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and ballistic missile defense missions. These ships feature an expanded Vertical Launch System (VLS) with 96 missile cells capable of launching various. They can launch Tomahawks, SM-2/SM-3s, and ASROCs, providing robust offensive and defensive capabilities. Flight IIA destroyers have dual hangars to accommodate two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. This enhances their anti-submarine warfare and search-and-rescue operations, making them a key asset in naval fleets. 🔻🔻🔻 Relive your initial flight, deployment, ship, submarine, or unit by commemorating it with an exquisite model, plaque, or patch! 💯 Discover more on our webpage by clicking the link below! www.squadronnostalgia.com✅ #SquadronNostalgia #GuidedMissileDestroyer #ArleighBurkeClass #Aviation #Collectible #Handmade #Miniature #Naval #Navalhistory #Navy #Scalemodel #Ship #Shipmodel