VLS Enjoyer
@VLS_Appreciator
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A Thread on The Troubled Development of the Sapsan Ballistic Missile, Ukraine’s ATACMS. 1/19
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Thread on Ukraine’s Neptune: The Underdog That Struck Back. 1/20
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Thread on the US Navy’s most elegant missile: AGM-158C LRASM, stealthy AI-powered ship killer. 1/16
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A thread on France’s own Tomahawk cruise missile, Storm Shadow’s big brother: the Missile de Croisère Naval (MdCN). 1/21🧵
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🧵Thread on the US Air Force’s cursed stealthy nuclear cruise missile: the AGM-129. 1/28
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🧵A Thread on the US’ AIM-174B and China’s YJ-12 Carrier Killer Cruise Missile: A Dance of the Vampires with Chinese Characteristics. 1/17
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Thread on the RIM-8 Talos : the US Navy’s massive ramjet powered, optionally nuclear, guided missile, the Standard Missile’s insane grandfather. 1/27 🧵
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Sir there's a ship on top of your engineering building.
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Chinese Anti-Ship Missiles and the French Connection : the YJ-8 / YJ-83 Family. 1/23 🧵
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The ANS/ANF, the Cold War Franco-German supersonic antiship missile project, a short thread . 1/16 🧵
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🧵A Thread on China’s New Family of Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles: The YJ-18. 1/17
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Despite setbacks, the Neptune embodies the Ukrainian resilience and tenacity against all odds, starting as a relatively obscure project that went on to sink the Moskva, hard to find a stronger symbol. 20/20
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From there the development of the RK-360MC Neptune development started in 2010 as a collaboration between Artem Luch and Sich Motors. While slow at first, development rapidly accelerated after the 2014 Crimean annexation. 3/20
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Following the Russo-Ukrainian intergovernmental agreement on industrial, scientific and technical cooperation of the 18th November 1993, the Luch design bureau received an X-35 (Kh-35) missile from Zvezda-Strela. 2/20
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On April 3rd 2022 a Neptune struck the Admiral Grigorovitch class frigate Admiral Essen, damaging it but not sinking the vessel. However only a few days later the Neptune famously sunk the Moskva ~135km off Odessa on the night of the 14th April 2022. 16/20
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Interestingly research showed that abnormal meteorological conditions extended the reach of the Ukrainian’s radar allowing them to successfully detect and strike the Moskva. () 17/20
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As the low finesse nose cone suggests, the missile flies only at subsonic speeds, powered by the MC-400 turbofan following the initial booster burn. Here the solid fuelled sustainer is clearly visible with the dorsal heat exchangers. 4/20
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As the war highlighted the needs for land attack vectors, a new version the Neptune-MD emerged optimized for that task. It is said to have a longer range, a GPS guidance and an imagining infra-red seeker for terminal detection. 8/20
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Volume and platform integration ease were prioritized leading to its cylindrical axisymmetric body. While in Exocet’s lineage as a sea-skimming missile, it takes more cues from the Harpoon with its three sets of control surfaces arranged in an X pattern. 5/20
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Reaching a total of 870kg, with 280km+ range, the missile was guided via to its target, assisted via INS, before using an active radar for terminal guidance. 7/20
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Still numbers are low and this design was not originally optimised for such missions where a different shape emphasizing range and stealth would have been welcomed. Future evolutions are planned with a Romanian collaboration announced on the August 2nd. 19/20
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The large wings near the missile’s center of gravity is consistent with its subsonic flight regime giving it added stability, efficiency and manoeuvrability. It seems that only the tail control surfaces are used for guidance. 6/20
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A Neptune battery is composed of 6 USPU-360 mobile launchers with 4 Neptune each, and 6 reload vehicles. 13/20
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The IIR seeker would be vital as ground clutter would hinder its active radar. The IIR seeker could be housed in a chin mount as an interim solution as was seen on the North Korean equivalent of the Neptune. 9/20
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High level political statements have been made stressing the need to increase the slow production since 2022. The series of strike from March 27th 2024 to August 22nd seems to indicate at least a moderate rate of a few missiles per months being produced. 18/ 20
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Such modifications giving land attack, or easier littoral acquisitions, capabilities for antiship missiles were observed for the Chinese YJ-83. Chin mounts were installed directly by units before a dedicated windowed nosecone was adopted. 10/ 20
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Following its public unveiling at the Kyiv 2015 Arms and Security International exhibition, the missile went into testing from March 22nd 2016 to April 6th 2019, notably reaching a target 100Km off of Odessa in 2017. It was accepted into operational service in March 2021. 12/20
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Eary use following the Russia war of aggression in Feb. 2022 proved disappointing with a first failed launch and another partial fail revealing a general failure linked to a single piece. It is unclear if it was sabotage or build quality issues. 15/20
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Alongside the various support trucks the battery is centred around the engagement module, here visited by Petro Poroshenko, and the radar module with its Mineral-U radar. 14/20
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This obtruding part near the tip of the missile could be a housing for such as seeker, not seen in earlier promotional material, but it does not look the part. It could also be a datalink antenna. I would be curious if anyone has info on it. 11/20
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On the opening night of Operation Desert Storm on the 17th January 1991, the US launched a massive salvo of 288 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles. This destructive power left a lasting impression on many nations including France. 2/21
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I love that in every picture of a high tech production site for US weaponry people are just dressed casually in polos or whatever. I don’t expect everyone to be in white blouse but it still gets me every time I love it.
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In the mid-2000s, the US Navy concluded that the legacy Harpoon would not be enough anymore in light of the worsening security environment at sea, along with the rise of the People’s Liberation Army’s Navy as a credible near-peer adversary. The US needed a new ship-killer. 2/16
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Within the year, in 1991, the French Joint Defense Staff expressed a need for two new missiles including the Arme de Precision Tirée à Grande Distance (APTGD), or Long Range Precision Weapon, intended as a conventional weapon used to against high value and hardened targets. 3/21
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Contrary to what some have claimed here, LRASM can and will hit precise area of your ship, DARPA made sure of that. These capabilities were validated in the missiles’ first test flight on August 27th 2013. 10/16
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In 1995 this program becomes SCALP-EG, focusing on a wider conventional use. In 1996 the UK joins, leading to the merger of Matra and BAE created MBD, soon to be MBDA, eventually leading to the Storm Shadow, currently used to hunt Russian submarines and S-400s. 7/21
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In light of recent events with the unveiling of the US’s new AIM-174B, let’s discuss the threat it’s mostly meant to counter, the YJ-12. 2/17
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The main requirements for LRASM were to offer significantly more range than Harpoon, greater survivability and increased autonomy in detecting, identifying and engaging moving targets at sea thanks to on-board sensors. 4/16
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Due to the urgency of the situation, an interim solution, the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Increment 1, would offer a quick fix before Increment 2 delivered a long term more capable system. OASuW inc 1 became the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, LRASM. 3/16
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In 1995-1996, the US’s display of power during the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, sending both the USS Independence and USS Nimitz carriers, profoundly shocked the PRC’s leadership. This strengthened the Chinese ambition to develop weapons powerful enough to threaten US CSGs. 3/17
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The first from Aerospatiale was the ASMP-C, a conventional variant of the infamous French nuclear last warning air-launched missile. It had a High-Low flight profile at supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 3. 5/21
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The second option from Matra, the APACHE-C, was a conventional version of its APACHE anti-runway missile, with a subsonic very flow flight profile. The 1994 LPM selected this option, seen as stealthier, and as giving terminal sensors more time to identify the target. 6/21
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LRASM is certified for use with the B-1, F/A-18, and is currently being integrated on the F-35 and P-8. While currently only planned for air-launches, it has been certified in 2014 for Mk 41 VLS use, using the ASROC’s booster, and deck mounted angled canisters in 2017. 12/16
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Additionally, LRASM is a team player and will be able to coordinate attacks with multiple missiles. This was recently demonstrated for the Integrated Test Event 12 on April 3rd 2024, with a flight of 4 missiles. 11/16
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Tomorrow is the end of the summer break, a return with a thread on Ukraine’s Neptune missile.
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Still, it seems that development is being prioritized to compensate for the firing restrictions imposed by some partner nations. Hopefully production will ramp up and we could be expecting some spectacular fireworks by next year if trials are conclusive. 19/19
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Guided by GPS complemented by INS to defeat potential jamming, LRASM uses a multimodal sensor suite combining passive radar-detection with an IR sensor augmented by software, relying on a large threat library to precisely identify priority targets within a group of ships. 9/16
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To save time, LRASM would be based on the Air Force’s AGM-158B JASSM-ER, in development since 2002. The increase space taken by electronics reduced the fuel tanks back to the standard JASSM ones, from 950km+ to 370, still a big upgrade over the Harpoon’s 140-220km. 6/16
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For the ones wondering where the threads are, i’m back at a cruising speed now so I will have time to cook some, currently reading a lot on Soviet SAMs, might do that or the importance of HAWC for US hypersonic research.
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The IR signature reducing measures, low radar cross-section and the effort made to reduce emissions down to the minimum, short pulses for the datalink, ensure LRASM’s stealth and survivability. 8/16
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The development was initially split between two competing approaches: LRASM-A betting on stealth with a low flying subsonic missile, and LRASM-B going the traditional Russian route with a supersonic highflying missile. The LRASM-A was chosen in 2012. 7/16
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As requested by the Marine Nationale who wanted naval cruise missiles since 1998, the French MoD started a program on February 2002 to adapt the SCALP-EG for naval use. A contract was signed with MBDA in September 2002. 8/21
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The finalized design takes all the elements of SCALP-EG to fit them in an elongated 6.5m cylindrical outer shell with deployable wings. Powered by a TR50 turbojet, it is guided via GPS, INS terrain following system and datalink, with an IR sensor for terminal targeting. 10/21
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The program was established as a DOD 5000.2 Model 4 accelerated acquisition program after a March 2008 urgent operational request. DARPA got to work and selected Lockheed as a sole-source contractor in 2009. 5/16
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Shooting down the archers before they fire their arrows is the best counter to these attacks. The recent sighting of operational AIM-174Bs aboard the USS Carl Vinson is a sign that the Navy is returning to these Cold War tactics.
@heatloss1986
12/17
Alongside AIM-174, a reintroduction of the Outer Air Battle seems to be the direction that the US Navy is going to mitigate the effectiveness of H-6es and YJ-12s in a possible future war, while JATM will be more of a direct AMRAAM replacement. Second image credit to
@Lantirn40K
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The LRASM will continue to be the Navy’s high-end ship-killer until the OASuW Increment 2 comes online, with EOC planned for FY29, also known as the Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO). 16/16
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The tragic story of the AGM-129 is representative of disruptive but troublesome programs like the B-2 or F-22. Designed to fight a bygone enemy, they brought significant improvements in stealth to a post Cold-War world that no longer had a need for them. 2/28
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The AIM-174Brs long range, important payload and high definition radar makes it the ideal long-range bomber killer, likely lacking the end game kinematics it would need to go after more nimble fighters. A worthy (and superior) heir to the AIM-54 Phoenix. 13/17
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The 6thtest in October 2014 qualified the VLS version as operational and with 7thtest launched from the FREMM frigate Aquitaine on May 19th, 2015, France became the first Western European nation to fire a domestic naval launched cruise missile. 13/21
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China most likely relied on the Russian supersonic SS-N-22 Sunburn, in use aboard their Sovremenny destroyers, to inform their design decisions. Both uses the same ramjet propulsion system, fed by 4 flank air intake and a double set of control surfaces in an X layout. 5/17
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Two versions exist: one for VLS launch, only fitting in the SYLVER A70 specifically made for its cylindrical body, and one for submarine launch. The range depends on the version with ~1400km for the VLS variant and 1000km for the sub launched one. 11/21
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Requirements were drafted for a supersonic missile that would take on US carriers and their escorts. It would complement the medium range sea skimming subsonic YJ-83, not be survivable enough on its own to break through the Aegis Combat System. 4/17
Chinese Anti-Ship Missiles and the French Connection : the YJ-8 / YJ-83 Family. 1/23 🧵
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Finally, the MdCN may have a future on land as MBDA unveiled at Eurosatory on June 18th, 2024, the Land Cruise Missile, a land launched 1000km range MdCN for France’s Long Range Land Strike program. 21/21
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In 2006 the DGA signs a global production contract of 910 million euros and agrees on a first batch of 50 missiles. Critical Design Review is completed in 2010 including wind tunnel analysis and sub-systems ground tests. 9/21
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In the mid-70s the US Air Force relied on the AGM-86 to carry on the air launch leg of the nuclear triad. The subsonic missile relied on its low flying abilities to ensure its survivability against Soviet air defenses. 3/28
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In 1993, the Directorate General of Armament (DGA), sent detailed requirement and received two proposals from the industry.4/21
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The ramjet uses an integral rocket booster, the ramjet chamber is used to host fuel boosting the missile to speeds allowing ramjet operations accelerating up to its more efficient speeds of Mach 3 to 4. At these speeds its gives ~30s reaction times past the radar horizon. 6/17
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Most recently, the ability to conduct a joint strike from both vectors was demonstrated on April 18th, 2024, with the Aquitaine frigate and an unnamed submarine, most likely Dugay-Trouin, striking simultaneously a target with two MdCN. 16/21
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Following the Early Operational Capability in 2018/2019 on launch platforms, development shifted to the 1.1 configuration with improved communication, survivability and obsolescence upgrades. After a 2022 Quick Reaction Assessment, configuration 1.1 was adopted in FY23. 13/16
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In FY22 development started on the C-3 variant with increased range, also known as LRASM-ER. Land strike capability was considered but it was decided to focus on its anti-ship mission instead with range and target library improvement. EOC is planned for 2026. 14/16
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However, rapid Soviet development in AEW&C with the A-50 Mainstay and the new look-down/shoot-down radars on MiG-31s and Su-27s suddenly meant that low flying missiles could more easily be detected and intercepted. 4/28
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The missile is guided by an Inertial Navigation System with mid-course corrections via Beidou satellite link, and is fitted with an active radar in its nose cone for terminal guidance. Violent high Gs terminal maneuvers are used to increase terminal survivability. 7/17
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The Sapsan would also threaten S-300PM1/2/3 and S-400 not optimized against ballistic threats as the poor performances against ATACMS have highlighted. Other systems such as the S-300Vs and S-500 would be able to intercept it more easily, however. 14/19
#BREAKING
Here's the moment of Russian S-400 battery getting knocked off by Ukrainian ATACMS strikes in Mospyne, Donetsk region.
S-400s tried to shot down ATACMS missiles, but failed.
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The nuclear-powered attack submarine Suffren, first of its class, fired a MdCN on October 20th, 2020, validating the sub launched version. 15/21
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Firing tests of the VLS version began with the 1st flight test on May 28th, 2010, at the Biscarrosse range. The first end to end test was the 3rdone on July 9th, 2012, validating the IR terminal guidance, with the 5th test in July 2013 testing the mission planning software. 12/21
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The latest figures I could find mentioned a target of 488 LRASMs for the Air Force and 727 for the Navy, including a request in PB25 for 523 LRASM-ER between FY25-29. 15/16
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Following the initial order of 50 in 2006, a second order for 150 was signed in 2009. The 200 McDN are split in 150 VLS launched and 50 sub launched. The first VLS production lot was delivered in February 2017, second one 2018 and the first sub launched lot in 2019. 17/21
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If Boeing’s offer remains unknown, Lockheed brought their Skunk Works SENIOR PROM design to the table, directly inspired by the HAVE BLUE design that led to the F-117. At that time SENIOR PROM had been flying since 1978 above the infamous Area 51 and Edwards AFB. 6/28
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The most strategically important version is the classic YJ-12 air launched from the JH-7A but mostly from the H-6J, extending its range up to 1900km including the bomber’s ferry and its 400+km range when fired at altitude. 10/17
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The Sapsan boast a range estimated to reach 500+km, more than the 280km of the Hirm-2 limited by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This would allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory independently. 13/19
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MdCN will remain the Marine Nationale’s naval cruise missile until the FC/ASW program with the UK delivers the cruise missile variant in 2028. Details on the configuration or launch platforms are still blurry. 20/21
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The sub launched version was tested at the Levant Island range from an underwater test vehicle. The first test of that version, 2nd overall test, was on June 8th, 2011. The 4th test on October 24th, 2012, was end to end validating the GPS guidance. 14/21
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Back in 2006 the National Security and Defence Concil of Ukraine looked for a system to replace the ageing Totchka-U ballistic missile with its 120km range. Design of that system was given to the Pivdenne Design Bureau known for their work on Soviet ICMBs and rockets. 3/19
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The YJ-12 fits perfectly within the PRC’s anti-ship missile arsenal, and alongside with the H-6J it is giving the US the challenge of a Dance of the Vampires with Chinese characteristics, however as recent event have showed never count the US out of the race. 17/17
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Pen aids such as decoys and other measures aim to complicate the opposing side’s calculus by adding targets or making the Reentry Vehicles (RVs) harder to detect. Discriminating and destroying the RVs then requires advanced detection means and powerful algorithms. 3/24
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I see a lot of people being confused when referring to this system, switching between Hirm, Grom-2 or Sapsan, hopefully this thread will clarify the situation. 2/19
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Regarding ballistic missiles, especially nuclear tipped ones, the focus is often on their destructive powers and on the questions of deterrence or proliferation, so for a change this thread will dive in the underappreciated world of ballistic penetration aids. 2/24
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The need for guided missiles to defend Navy assets became evident following the use of the German Fritz-X guided glide bomb, sinking the Italian battleship Roma on the 9th of September 1943, damaging the USS Savanah on the 11th. 2/27
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With a capable ISR network this satellite link could allow China to target missiles beyond the radar range of the firing platform to make full use of the missile long range and high speed, similarly to the US’s Collaborative Engagement Capability (CEC). 8/17
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The fully supersonic flight profile of the YJ-12 complements the PRC’s missile arsenal with the fully subsonic YJ-83 and the mostly subsonic but supersonic in final phase YJ-18, range wise it also fits in between the YJ-83’s ~180 and the the YJ-18’s ~400 ish km. 9/17
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The bomber’s long range and high flexibility combined with the missile’s relatively low flying flight profile at high speeds creates tactical challenges for US planners compared to the faster but more predictable and less flexible ballistic missiles. 11/17
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Currently the MdCN equips solely the French Navy onboard the 6 FREMM frigates equipped with 16x A70 VLS cells each for the missile and will equip all 6 of the Suffrenclass nuclear powered attack submarines, with an inventory of ~4/8 each usually. 18/21
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However, despite its unmatched stealth characteristics , SENIOR PROM was too large to fit in a bomber’s internal weapons bay and therefore, General Dynamics’ Convair Division’s smaller clean sheet design won the contract in 1983. 7/28
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GD designed the missile with the aim to maximize stealth from frontal and upper perspectives, where the low flying missile would most likely be observed. This led to its unconventional “upside down aircraft” look. 8/28
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On August 27th 2024 president Zhelensky declared a first successful test of a domestically produced ballistic missile. 11/19
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The faceted nose, straight fuselage, radar absorbent material paint and NACA-style lush jet intake aimed at mixing the missile’s signature with the ground clutter while flying low, and remain undetected the enemy’s radar’s Doppler notch. 9/28
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