Ping
I’ve always wondered about this exact problem, it seems like a huge vulnerability,
ARRRGH !!
Preparation is the key to success ! Jeez.
Will we ever freaking learn ??
Curious. IIRC we are talking deployment in the ‘80’s of this technology, and we are talking of the problem being from the git-go I believe. (somebody correct me if I’m wrong)
Being the timing it is, I would believe we have another screw-up from the infamous Jimmy Carter era once again.
But why is it still a problem with no fix?
The problem is that the VLS Canisters are too big to move forward and aft. We had vert rep pads near the VLS, so I suspect with the onboard crane and a vert rep we could replenish in a pinch.
The real issue is transfering the VLS Canister from a Helo to the crane, the VLS Canisters are too heavy to carry or move without that. They would need to be able to take the VLS Canister from the Helo and transfer it directly to the cranes.
The cranes suck too, because they don’[t have a long range, the Helo would have to drop the VLS Canister directly onto the VLS where the crane would grab it.
The Navy doesn’t want to take the risk that a Helo will drop a loaded VLS Canister right onto the magazine, this would be bad.
If they were willing to accept the risk, then they could pull it off, but they aren’t.
The Navy shot their wad years ago, I made a bid on their SUB COMM contract and they discarded me because I was AF. F-em.