Vertical Launched Ground Munitions

VLS for ship weapons seem to be the hype these days, but how about a vertical launched weapon for the individual ground vehicle? So far, I can't find any sort of VLS for ground units on the Internet, so I will like discuss the feasibility of such system here.

What I have in mind is some sort of cold launched rocket munition with a EFP/HEAT warhead. The munition is fired through a top hatch on an AFV from an autoloading system in the hull, launched vertically up into the air. At perhaps 50-70 metres, sensors on the side of the VLGM will search for targets designated by a laser designator. Once it acquires a target, the rocket motor fires and the weapon follows a mortar-like trajectory towards it's target, guided by fins (or thrusters as in the XM395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition). Terminal homing will be achieved either by the initial SACLOS system or self-homing millimeter wave/infrared homing system.

Such a system will bear a few advantages over traditional direct-attack weapons like tank guns and LOS missiles:

• the VLGM's characteristics essentially turns it into a top-attack weapon against armor vehicles.
• Unlike a conventional gun/missile system, you do not need to transverse a big turret or barrel as the munition is self guiding. Reaction and engagement time will hence be reduced.
• Vehicle weight and profile can be smaller for a VLGM vehicle, as turrets, barrels, recoil system, etc... are discarded. A VLGM-armed tank can essentially be just a hull chasis.
• The VLGM equipped vehicle can engage the enemy safely behind cover or targets hiding behind cover.
• If a SACLOS system is used such as laser-designation, friendly infantry or vehicles can be directly linked to the VLGM vehicle and operate it as a short range tactical artillery against targets. An added benefit is that the carrier vehicle does not need to expose itself to enemy fire when launching the munitions in support.

The main advantages here are being able firing behind cover, no need to aim the weapon, top-attack capabilities, and having reduced size profile for the carrier vehicle. If augmented with datalink fire control system, versatility is greatly increase compare to conventional vehicle weapons. However, there are also some distinct disadvantages with a VLGM weapon compare to a conventional tank gun or wire-guided missile.

• The high trajectory means the munition will take quite a while to reach it's target compare to a high velocity tank round or LOS missile. During that time, the enemy can evade or launch countermeasures. One solution is to have the VLGM sharply "right-angle" itself after acquiring a target and fly towards its target at a flatter trajectory.
• A very complex guidance system will be needed to allow the munition to search and lock onto it's target. Adding the guidance package to the VLGM may mean a smaller warhead (less firepower) and larger munition (reduced ammunition capacity) compare to a 120mm tank round.
• As with any guided munition, they can be jammed. The carrier vehicle will most likely have a minimal radius where it can engage targets. Though, this can be solve by arming the vehicle with cannons or MGs as secondary weapons.
• The cost of a VLGM system will be high compare to tank guns and LOS missiles. Will such a expensive weapon be needed when a cheaper 120mm tank round will do?
• Complexity, how will a complicated VLGM system hold out in a combat environment? What will its logistic implementations be?

I look forward to hearing points from other people :china:.

Edit: Also, can the PLA potentially develop such a weapon?

There is a weapon system NLOS-LS which almost fit your requirements. It only needs to be put on a vehicle.

The Russian style of cold launch used on their VLS takes up a great deal of space and weight. First there must be stores of the necessary materials and the equipment to create the high pressure coal gas. Second, the method of launch requires a long piston and cylinder beneath the VLS tube. Coal gas expands in this cylinder, driving up a piston which in turn ejects the missile from the tube. If you ever wondered why the Russians use a rotary VLS this is why. They have a single launch piston under the ejection hatch and missiles revolve over this piston to be fired. Placing a piston under each VLS tube really eats up internal space. See, there is a good engineering reason for the USN to use a hot launch system and this also explains why western ships with hot launch VLS carry more missiles than Russian and Chinese ships of equal displacement.
This sort of equipment is simply too large and heavy for a land vehicle. An elevated launcher that lets the hot rocket exhaust blow out the back is a lot more practical.

I see your point. Will a new miniaturized cold system be possible? I was thinking of perhaps using compressed air to push the VGLM out.

man overbored said:

The Russian style of cold launch used on their VLS takes up a great deal of space and weight. First there must be stores of the necessary materials and the equipment to create the high pressure coal gas. Second, the method of launch requires a long piston and cylinder beneath the VLS tube. Coal gas expands in this cylinder, driving up a piston which in turn ejects the missile from the tube. If you ever wondered why the Russians use a rotary VLS this is why. They have a single launch piston under the ejection hatch and missiles revolve over this piston to be fired. Placing a piston under each VLS tube really eats up internal space. See, there is a good engineering reason for the USN to use a hot launch system and this also explains why western ships with hot launch VLS carry more missiles than Russian and Chinese ships of equal displacement.

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The Chinese vessel with cold launched VLS is about 6000 mt displacement with 48 rather big honking SAMs and still has space for 8 big honking AshMs.



You can go find Western vessels of about the same tonnage, and see 48 or less SAMs of smaller size.

And these designs here don't seem to agree with your description above. Hardly experimental, these are the launchers which are with India's Talwars, which are frigate sized.

This sort of equipment is simply too large and heavy for a land vehicle. An elevated launcher that lets the hot rocket exhaust blow out the back is a lot more practical.

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S-300 launchers are all cold launched.

Here they are in mobile TELs. Enjoy the movies.

kiki666 said:

There is a weapon system NLOS-LS which almost fit your requirements. It only needs to be put on a vehicle.

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Opps, missed your post. Thanks for the link kiki.

I am thinking a big concern with this type of Missile vs Projectile is cost, which could be order of magnitude larger. Since most of the advantages you describe of this type of system can already be accomplished by other systems, the increase in capabilities does not seem to compensate for the increase in logistics and cost.