France considers rocket launchers for new frigates

Mere Et Marine,France ^ | 21/09/2006

[sukhoi-30mki]

A multiple rocket launcher on the frigates multi-missions?

The ministry for Defense currently thinks of the possibility of installing a new type of material on the future frigates multi-missions. It would be about a navalized version of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), conceived by American Lockheed Martin and developed in co-operation with Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany. Paris plans the launching of a study plan upstream (PEA) in 2007 to determine the feasibility of the project. This material, successor of the LRU, imposing rocket launcher used on the vehicles of the terrestrial forces, would have, thanks to its guided rocket, a range of 60, even 100 kilometers. It would be intended for the European frigates multimissions, built in co-operation with Italy.

France envisages to obtain 17 units from this class, including 8 in anti-submarine version and 9 in Action version Towards Earth (AVT). These last, in addition to naval cruise missiles (MDCN), must be equipped with a small foundation raft allowing the setting the water of the future Ecume boats intended for the commandos. In order to increase their capacities against the objectives located on the littoral tape, FREMM AVT could thus receive GMLRS, to replace the gun before 76 Misters the weight of such a system, of a score of tons, would not be opposed by no means to the technical specifications of the frigate. The question of artillery For the attack against the littoral, the part of 76 mm, before very anti-aircraft, is considered to be too weak (5 kilometers of range against goal surfaces). This is why the Italians plan to install a gun of 127 mm on their ships. A lighter turret, 22 tons (against 27 on the preceding model), is under study with the British Vickers and a guided shell could give to this gun a range of 116 kilometers. One will note that this type of new ammunition is also planned for the 76 mm, conferring to him, in theory, a range of 40 kilometers. Side French, if it is estimated that 76 mm OTO Melara Compact SR is a good material, it seems to remain very dubitative as for the performances of the 127 mm and the Italian guided ammunition. This is why, in order to be able to touch targets beyond of a littoral band of 40 kilometers, the solution of the rocket launcher is considered. It is not however the only possible option. GIAT would always work on a gun of 155 mm navalized. Also equipped with guided shells, the lengthening-piece of this material would be likely to reach 80 kilometers. According to certain soldiers, the weight much more important of the 155 mm and its impact on the stability of the part before frigate could be corrected by a reduced capacity of the compartment and a better distribution of the weights, for example by spreading out the system of provisioning. DCN, which will produce the frigates in Lorient, envisages the beginning of the machining of Aquitaine with the first quarter 2007.

[sukhoi-30mki]

The GMLRS

The FREMM class

[mkjessup]

French version with custom nosecose:

[rmlew]

Aren't the Germans using one of these, as well as a 155mm gub, on their new destroyers?

[sukhoi-30mki]

Don't know if the Germans have firmly decided on integrating their PZH-2000 howitzers on their destroyers-they were carrying out evaluations.Anyway,many nations are planning on integrating 155mm guns with extended range projectiles to their ships.