• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

New Missile Launcher Tested in Indiana

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071105-09
Release Date: 11/5/2007 3:13:00 PM

By Mary Camacho, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Public Affairs

CRANE, Ind. (NNS) -- A missile launcher that is being considered for the next generation of strategic submarines, and could be used on existing submarines, is being tested at the Glendora Lake Facility 50 miles from Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), Ind.

A joint effort between scientists and engineers from NSWC Crane, NSWC Dahlgren, NSWC Indian Head, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Virginia Tech resulted in the first successful test launch of a test article from a water piercing missile launcher (WPML) in September.

The WPML is an underwater missile launcher that creates its own path to the water's surface. Researchers anticipate this design will save the Navy money and reduce complexity for future submarines.

"Underwater launch is used primarily in offensive strike systems, but also supports special missions operations," said Jerry McKamey, joint mission office director of NSWC Crane's global deterrence & defense department. "NSWC Crane personnel are providing extensive support to those two sets of customers in the strategic missions and special missions focus areas."

In the past, missiles would launch from submarines and make their way to the surface through the water. A missile in the WPML missile launcher works differently –it uses its own exhaust to create an atmosphere for the missile to enter, almost like its own tunnel to the surface.

According to Jon Yagla of NSWC Dahlgren, designer and patent holder of WPML, "the exhaust gas path provides the missile with a higher ejection velocity and a lower drag as it moves away from the submarine." He said in the past compressed air, water turbines and propellant gas generating systems have been used to eject missiles from submarines.

"The problem is the subsystems for these approaches are pretty complicated, which adds cost, weight, and noise to the submarine. There are safety issues with the gas generators that have to be addressed." Yagla added that the WPML concept eliminates all these subsystems, reducing the space needed on submarines and saving the Navy money. The rocket motor provides the energy, and the ship and launch control system is greatly simplified.

How the WPML works is the missile is housed within a concentric canister launcher. This inner cylinder guides the weapon while in the launcher. The missile exhaust moves up between the inner and outer cylinders and pierces the water creating a path for the missile to egress.

If WPML continues to work, the Navy won't have to make missiles specifically designed for submarines, but use existing missiles designed for aircraft or helicopters. Yagla added that anti-aircraft warfare missiles like Sidewinders "would allow the submarines to spend more time in shallow water supporting special operations missions ashore."

Another missile that can be used is the Army's future combat system non-line of sight missile.

"They are small surface-to-surface missiles that can be fired at distant targets such as tanks, armored personnel carriers and buildings," said Yagla.

As with the Sidewinder, this missile would assist Navy special operation forces to obtain fire support from submarines.

"Underwater launch is not a Crane technical capability. What NSWC Crane provides to this is a unique facility with the flexibility to support multiple customers," McKamey said. "In addition NSWC Crane is willing to make it available to our sister activities to support their technical capabilities."

The next generation of strategic submarines is about 13 years away, but with the testing being done on WPML, NSWC Crane and NSWC Dahlgren are leading the way.