Page 49 - Australian Defence Magazine April-May 2021

APRIL-MAY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
SEA POWER
MISSILES 49
ABOVE: Two ESSMs are fired from HMAS Hobart during test firings off the US West coast.
and ship-launched missiles to be derived by a customer operating both types.
Defence subsequently inked a further agreement to con- tinue the integration and qualification into the JSM of a passive radio frequency sensor produced by BAE Systems Australia.
This enables the (unclassified) 270 kilometre-range JSM to locate targets on the basis of their electronic signature in addition to the missile’s existing advanced imaging infrared sensor. Actual range is dependent on a range of factors in- cluding launch altitude and flight profile.
Japan has now signed three separate contracts for the JSM to equip its F-35As (along with the LRASM to equip its F-15J Eagle interceptors) and Kongsberg says it’s hopeful that the JSM will be considered by Australia as a potential solution for Air 3023 Phase 2 (Maritime Strike Capability for F-35A).
TOMAHAWK
As far as the ship-launched long range land attack missile is concerned, only Raytheon’s BGM-109E Block IV or Block V Tomahawk appear able to meet the 1,500km require-
ment. Despite a pedigree stretching back to 1983, to date the missile is operated only by the USN, and aboard Royal Navy submarines.
The Tomahawk is fired using a booster from the strike- length Mk41 VLS equipping the Hobart-class DDGs and mandated for the Hunter-class. The UGM-109E variant is launched from the torpedo tubes of a submerged submarine.
The current Block IV configuration entered service with the USN in 2004, adding features such as in-flight repro- gramming of targets via satellite links and the ability to loiter for long periods over war zones.
Orbiter® 4
Chosen as the Next Generation ISR System
• Multi mission maritime & land • Carries multiple payloads • Long endurance • Silent & Covert • Catapult take-off, net recovery or parachute and airbag
Ahead of Time
DEFENCE