Hypersonic and Hyper-Velocity Japan announced it is pursuing accelerated development of two classes of standoff hypersonic systems - the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) and the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP). The idea is to field initial ground-launched systems as early as 2024, while pursuing increased 1,500km range, targeting and navigation improvements for later inclusion. Official data indicates that both ship-defeating and ground/surface attack warheads are to be available. The former is to pierce a ship deck and the later using multiple EFPs (explosively formed projectiles) for area suppression. The United States has been actively developing hypersonic weapons since the early 2000s, with the current focus on hypersonic glide vehicles. However, as reflected in a July 2022 CRS Report to Congress, at present the Army, Navy, Air Force and DARPA each have hypersonic programmes. The Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) pairs the Common Hypersonic Guide Body (C-HGB) with the Navy booster to provide a weapon with over 2700km range. However, the Army sees what is has named Dark Eagle as “a strategic attack weapon system,” although it could address “defeat of A2/AD and suppress adversary long range fires, and engage other high payoff/time sensitive targets.” It currently reflects LRHW as part of its proposed Strategic Fires Battalions. It aims to introduce an initial operational capability in 2023. DARPA is also pursuing its own hypersonic research, some of which could have application directly to service efforts. One effort is directed to providing an approach that could be compatible with the VLS – with obvious potential benefits to both Navy and Army. Its Operational Fires (OpFires) sought to lever its Tactical Glide Booster to a ground-launcher to “penetrate air defenses.” A successful demonstration was conducted using a Marine Corps vehicle in 2022, however, MCSC indicated this was not their effort. Implications and Implementation The capabilities offered by some Long Range Precision Fires challenge traditional definitions of ‘tactical’ and ‘operational’. In some cases they border on being viewed as strategic – opening new military and political concerns. With weapon ranges measured in hundreds of kilometres, the divide between defensive and offensive capability becomes less apparent. A question raised for US forces by CRS is who “is receiving permission for their basing in Europe and the Indo-Pacific”. This is hardly a forgone conclusion for stationing ground-based systems on non-US territory. It could particularly be a red flag for forward pre-conflict force insertion, as proposed in the US Marine Stand-in-Forces (SIF) concept or in Army response contingency plans. The CRS in March 2021 also identified service duplication issues in some long-range programmes. The USAF has questioned the rationale for the Army LRHW, which it states it can more effectively accomplish with its air-launched hypersonic weapons. It could similarly question how a 1,600km range TLAM fits within the codified Marine Corps mission, and why the Army should duplicate existing capabilities. The pursuit of LRPW is stretching the current guidelines on what long-range precision fires capabilities and missions most appropriately fall within each service’s responsibility. That these concerns are apparent even before the systems are fielded increases the importance of assuring a common framework and integrated approach as to how they will be employed. acquisition of Boeing’s Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS) and further production and improvement of its indigenous Hsiung-Feng III supersonic missile, which employs a semi-tractor trailer launcher with four missiles. Taiwan plans to increase its launchers to seventy before 2023. Deep strike of up to 1,000 km will be provided by the HsiungSheng missile, which is entering production, with 100 planned by 2025. Equipped with either bunker-defeating or fragmentary warhead, it is capable of hitting Chinese mainland targets. The US Army and US Marines are separately pursuing efforts (though in “close coordination”) towards a ground-launched configuration of the Tomahawk Land-Attack cruise missile (TLAM). The R/UGM-106 Block V has a range of more than 1,600km, with in-flight data link, and a multi- mode seeker. At 6.27m length and 1,557kg with booster, it is not a compact missile and presents launcher and transportability challenges. The 1970’s USAF Ground Launched Cruise Missile version employed a heavy tractor trailer configuration – an approach the US Army appears to be following in its Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system. Typhon adapts the USN four-cell Vertical Launch System to a three-axle semi-trailer using a M983A4 8x8 Oshkosh prime mover. A battery is presently to be organized with four launch systems, a reload truck/trailer, support vehicle, and trailered operations centre. The Army MRC will be able to fire both TLAM and SM-6 Standard missiles. The proven supersonic SM-6 surface attack version has a range of 450km, in-flight data link, and dual-mode seeker: it uses Navy-developed software and technology. According to manufacturer Raytheon Missiles and Defense, it offers anti-air, ground strike and anti-ship in one missile. Capitalizing on this multi-functionality would be a major advantage for forces deployed at a distance – a circumstance that could typify combat in the Pacific. The particulars of the MCSC ground launched TLAM are less clear. The project office declined indicating whether the launcher might be the VLS or an elevated type, or whether the platform would be a trailer or multi-axle truck. The Navy contracted in May with Raytheon for 54 Tactical Tomahawk All-up Round VLS missiles for the Marines for 2025 delivery, including “Maritime Strike Tomahawk with Joint Multiple Effects Warhead”. Given this commitment and schedule, one would expect that a launcher would be further defined. Speculation suggests it could be a semi-trailer like the Army using the Marine’s LVSR mover or MTVR or 10x10 LVSR, either manned or unmanned. In each case, like the Army, air transportability will likely be limited to C-17s, with ground mobility highly dependent on local conditions. In addition, given its significant footprint and unique signature concealment, discrete movement, tactical emplacement, security and protection will require special effort. Another broader question noted by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) is the issue of “receiving permission for their basing in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific regions,” a proposition that is far from a forgone conclusion. Another basic programme question is why the US Army and US Marines are in effect developing two different systems, using the same munition to execute the same roles and missions. The CRS in a March 2021 report identified potentially unnecessary duplication by the services in some of these long-range weapon programs. The US Army’s Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile systemtakes advantage of the Naval Vertical Launch System, allowing it to fire the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile as well as the current SM-6 Standard Missile, which has the ability to engage sea surface, land and air targets. (Photo: US DoD) 10 · MT 5/2022 Defence of the US and its Allies f
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