Posted on 09/17/2020 1:43:24 AM PDT by Patriot777
In an amazing first, an artillery cannon took out a cruise missile.
An M109 Paladin 155 mm howitzer made history recently by shooting down a fast-moving maneuvering cruise missile with a “hypervelocity projectile” able to travel at speeds up to Mach 5, according to an Air Force announcement. Historically, armored vehicles such as tanks, howitzers or infantry carriers have not operated with an ability to destroy fast-moving, long-range cruise missiles, yet the successful demonstration breaks new ground.
The shoot-down, which took place at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, destroyed a “surrogate” Russian cruise missile target using the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). Firing a hypervelocity projectile (HVP) from an artillery cannon is a concept that has been under development for many years, dating back to Roper’s time directing the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office. The origins of the HVP can be traced to the Navy’s Rail Gun developmental effort as well as initiatives intended to explore firing the HVP from deck-mounted guns on Navy surface ships.
Due to its ability to reach speeds of up to 5,600 miles per hour, the hypervelocity projectile is engineered as a kinetic energy warhead, meaning no explosives are necessary. It can travel at speeds up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) per second, a speed which is about three times that of most existing weapons. The weapon brings such force, power and range that could hold enemies at risk from greater distances and attack targets with the kinetic energy force equivalent to a multi-ton vehicle moving at 160 miles per hour, developers have said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
He said, "Look up rail guns." Didn't understand him at first, so he repeated, "Rail guns. Look that up."
After finishing my grilled ham and cheese meal, time was then spent exploring everything that was on the internet concerning rail gun technology. Overwhelmingly interesting, I'd never heard or read anything on this type of machinery. All of the information was just basic at to what exactly rail guns were with some very old machine pictures and some working-model sketches.
So then again I had another conversation with Dad, in which he said, "Write them [branches of the U.S. Military] about it." After taking a short nap, which I took a lot of because of the trauma my body was still convalescing from, time was then spent outlining and constructing such a letter in broad form addressing all branches of the U.S. Military.
I would have to do a search as to exactly when the first blip hit the 'net as to when our Armed Forces started doing some thinking. But, my beloved FReeper Friends, kudos to my Dad. He served in the Army National Guard years before I became along, and as a staunch Patriot and quite the innovator it is my firm belief that it was he that helped our Armed Forces to get to the point where they are now able to utilize such an intriguing but indeed powerful weapon to our arsenal. Thank you, Dad.
And if they miss and hit the Moon?
Nothing.
More to the story than one means of delivery with the Advanced Battle Management System. The HPV round in itself is a breakthrough. The only caveat is cost per round:
What was the first part? :)
Things are getting crazy fast.
Time to prepare and respond will get less and less.
Gonna have to leave out the “prepare” part :)
Isn’t White Sands where they had the Critical Race controversy?
Cruise missiles are relatively slow—as missiles go...
Around 1992 I was doing some work at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. They had a building that they used to test rail guns. IIRC one was a small one (20’ long??), and one was a large one (50’ long???).
I only was in that building once and just sort of passed by the rail guns.
I remember one building where they would test EVERYTHING from small guns to tanks for various “environmental factors”. Hot and cold temperatures, dust, mud, ice, water, wind, etc. I thought it was interesting. Makes sense to test everything under all the various conditions it might encounter.
Ping
It can travel at speeds up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) per second, a speed which is about three times that of most existing weapons.
Unbelievable!!!
Thank you so much. It is my profound hope to continue in his legacy.
To have any useful reaction time, you'd have to keep that howitzer loaded and pointed roughly in the direction the anticipated missile would be coming from. The 155mm is a separate-loading weapon system, which means the round needs to be fully rammed into the chamber, propellant charge placed, and primer in the chamber before it can be fired. They are also heavy and immobile: even the M109 has a relatively slow rate of traverse if the tube isn't already pointed where it should be to engage the oncoming missile.
Railguns are nifty, but have they solved the difficulties in firing projectiles with an electronic payload? While I was in weapons development, the acceleration loads and massive EMP would melt/crush anything loaded into it - and since whatever is fired must maneuver to engage a maneuvering missile, it's important.
As an aside, while I commanded an artillery battalion in 1993, we were picked to test fire new 155 projectiles at China Lake, great experience for my young Marines.
No, Los Alamos is where that was made mandatory.
....proving that HR weapons are more dangerous than HVP weapons...
I would like to believe that is true...:)
Reminds me of the story of the Lunar Module, and how they were soliciting opinions from Americans in all walks of life, and one guy they thought was a crackpot...well, he was the key!
He wasn’t a crackpot, but a hard working engineer working a job who had an idea.
That is what is great about America.
And I thought the 155 muzzle blast was bad.
The problem with rail guns, they require huge power sources. And so far are still plagued with problems.
I don’t know much about HVP weapons. If it is conventional propulsion and as fast as described, I cannot imagine an electronic guidance system surviving firing.
The magic bullet?
Not sure.
Another name for the rail gun is Navy Swamp
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.