Page 50 - Australian Defence Magazine April-May 2021

50 SEA POWER MISSILES
APRIL-MAY 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
The latest Block Va Maritime Strike variant is expected to enter service with the USN in 2023. This can target surface ships at ranges greater than 1,500km following the integra- tion of a new seeker capable of precisely identifying and tar- geting moving warships at sea.
The Block Vb hard-target kill variant combines blast- fragmentation and enhanced penetration in its 450kg Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System (JMEWS) warhead.
This enables the missile to attack soft targets like parked aircraft, vehicles, and military formations in addition to hard- ened targets like bunkers, underground command posts, and aircraft in hardened shelters.
USN budget documents for the 2021 fiscal year, while stress- ing that prices can vary due to a number of factors.
COST CONCERNS
Bottom line; they’re all expensive (all figures US$).
SM-2 Block IIIC – $2,349,000; SM-6 Block I – $4,318,632; SM-3 Block 1B ballistic missile interceptor – $11,830,000; SM-3 Block IIA next-generation ballistic missile intercep- tor – $36,387,000; ESSM Block II – 1,795,000; Tomahawk Block V land attack – $1,537,645 (Maritime Strike cost not available); Naval Strike Missile – $2,194,000; AGM-114N Hellfire air-to-surface – $45,409; AGM-158C – Long Range
Anti-Ship Missile (air-launched) – $3,960,000.
The Hobart-class DDGs have 48 cells in their strike- length Mk 41 VLS, the Hunter-class will have 32. Each cell holds a single missile or alternatively can accommodate
quadpacked ESSMs.
Future load-out for a DDG would depend on the mission
and threat profile, but assume a theoretical mix of 38 SM-6 (US$163 million); 16 ESSM Block II (around US$29 mil- lion), six Tomahawks (around US$9 million), and 16 NMS (around $US32 million).
Throw in 16 Hellfires (around $736,000) for the em- barked MH-60R naval combat helicopter, and at an ex- change rate of 70c/$A1, that missile loadout would cost a very approximate, eye-watering $A304 million.
It’s worth noting that rapid developments in hyperson- ics, including SCIFiRE collaboration between the US and Australia, have the power to transform maritime warfare and outdate current defensive capabilities such as those represented in the nominal DDG loadout. It should also be noted that all Australian hypersonics programs are now completely classified. ■
ABOVE: Working in a coalition environment will be key for any future technology path.
“IMPORTANTLY, THE BLOCK V TOMAHAWK IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT AROUND US$1.5 MILLION PER UNIT.”
Whether launched from a surface warship or a subma- rine, Tomahawks typically hit within 10 yards of intended targets using a variety of guid- ance methods including GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching.
Designed to operate at very low altitudes while maintaining high-subsonic speeds, the missile uses GPS navigation and a satellite datalink to con- tinue through a pre-set course but can be reprogrammed in- flight to a new target. An on-board camera provides imagery immediately prior to impact to help determine whether the
missile is on target, and likely damage from the attack.
The Block V Tomahawk includes upgraded navigation and communications package as a baseline capability with improved resistance to jamming, and while lacking stealth features is ex-
pected to remain in service with the USN beyond 2040.
And importantly, given the soaring cost of other guided weapons either already in service with the RAN or of poten- tial interest, Block V cost is expected to remain at around
US$1.5 million per unit.
The specialist US website The War Zone recently collated
the per-unit cost of US ship-launched missiles as stated in