Author Topic: Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea  (Read 3518 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline rangerrebew

  • TBR Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 184,426
Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea
« on: April 01, 2025, 05:50:57 am »
Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea

Vertical Launch Systems or VLS are arguably the best thing that have happened to Naval weapon systems since the 1980s, but they have one massive shortcoming: They are extremely tricky to reload. And despite many attempts at addressing this problem, it still remains the single weakest link in the logistics of rearming these systems.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/why-warships-cannot-reload-missiles-at-sea/vi-AA1BZFRD?ocid=widgetonlockscreen&cvid=94605ff0ab4f4fc0a394abb35c7ace91&ei=94
abolitionist Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will.”

Offline Canuck Conservative

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 789
  • Gender: Male
  • Nature-loving Conservative!
Re: Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2025, 08:00:34 am »
Can send men to the Moon, but can't figure out how to reload missiles at sea?
The elimination of the evil Soviet Union was one of the most glorious moments in Human History!!

Offline Timber Rattler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,942
  • Conservative Purist and Patriot
Re: Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2025, 08:04:12 am »
Can send men to the Moon, but can't figure out how to reload missiles at sea?

I actually understand this problem having worked with Navy engineers and scientists earlier in my career.  The sea is always in motion and unforgiving, and the missiles represent a major fire and explosion threat, especially during shipment and transfer.  The way VLS's are designed and built pretty much requires a stable platform with a mounted crane to reload, much like SLBMs, which just can't be done in turbulent, heavy water.  That's why the Navy actually prefers gun-systems over missiles because the ammunition is much cheaper, its easier to transport and reload, and there is much more of it available.  $10,000 shots vs $1,000,000 shots too.
aka "nasty degenerate SOB," "worst of the worst at Free Republic," "Garbage Troll," "Neocon Warmonger," "Filthy Piece of Trash," "damn $#%$#@!," "Silly f'er," "POS," "war pig," "neocon scumbag," "insignificant little ankle nipper," "@ss-clown," "neocuck," "termite," "Uniparty Deep stater," "Never Trump sack of dog feces," "avid Bidenista," "filthy Ukrainian," "war whore," "fricking chump," "psychopathic POS," "depraved SOB," "Never Trump Moron," "Lazarus," and "sock puppet."

"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."  ---George Orwell

Offline Canuck Conservative

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 789
  • Gender: Male
  • Nature-loving Conservative!
Re: Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2025, 08:21:48 am »
That's why the Navy actually prefers gun-systems over missiles because the ammunition is much cheaper, its easier to transport and reload, and there is much more of it available.  $10,000 shots vs $1,000,000 shots too.

Thanks for the interesting details.

Guess that's why the navy is working hard to get laser-based systems in operation, they don't need any reloading.
The elimination of the evil Soviet Union was one of the most glorious moments in Human History!!

Offline Timber Rattler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,942
  • Conservative Purist and Patriot
Re: Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2025, 10:59:17 am »
Thanks for the interesting details.

Guess that's why the navy is working hard to get laser-based systems in operation, they don't need any reloading.

Exactly, or transport at sea.
aka "nasty degenerate SOB," "worst of the worst at Free Republic," "Garbage Troll," "Neocon Warmonger," "Filthy Piece of Trash," "damn $#%$#@!," "Silly f'er," "POS," "war pig," "neocon scumbag," "insignificant little ankle nipper," "@ss-clown," "neocuck," "termite," "Uniparty Deep stater," "Never Trump sack of dog feces," "avid Bidenista," "filthy Ukrainian," "war whore," "fricking chump," "psychopathic POS," "depraved SOB," "Never Trump Moron," "Lazarus," and "sock puppet."

"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."  ---George Orwell

Online Smokin Joe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 64,179
  • I was a "conspiracy theorist". Now I'm just right.
Re: Why Warships Cannot Reload Missiles at Sea
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2025, 11:01:18 am »
Thanks for the interesting details.

Guess that's why the navy is working hard to get laser-based systems in operation, they don't need any reloading.
Not just the bottomless magazine, but no ordnance on board to blow up if you're hit.
How God must weep at humans' folly! Stand fast! God knows what he is doing!
Seventeen Techniques for Truth Suppression

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

C S Lewis