🇺🇸 Naval Modular Missile concept: unifying modular surface-to-air missiles for use from Mk 41 VLS cells to counter massed combined attacks by kamikaze UAVs and anti-ship missiles

The US Navy has initiated development of the Naval Modular Missile (NMM) family, intended to radically reshape the architecture of shipborne air and missile defence. The concept is based on a standardised 250 mm interceptor built around a modular design. The missile includes standardised guidance, warhead, control-system and propulsion sections. This architecture allows the weapon to be adapted for a wide range of missions, from intercepting aerodynamic targets to engaging ballistic and manoeuvring hypersonic threats.

Particular attention is being paid to increasing ammunition density within Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) cells. Three NMM variants are being developed for surface combatants: the long-range version occupies a full cell, while optimised variants allow two or four missiles to be packed into a single cell. This provides a several-fold increase in the firepower available to an individual warship. In addition, one NMM variant is being adapted for launch from torpedo tubes or vertical launch tubes aboard Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

The NMM programme is intended to replace a number of existing surface-to-air missile types, simplifying logistics and reducing operating costs. Planned production is expected to reach 1,000 missiles per year within five years of the start of a full-scale production contract.

The introduction of NMM would allow the US Navy to build a layered defensive system capable of countering modern aerial threats, including future hypersonic weapons, while benefiting from the high flexibility of a modular missile platform.

#info
#USA #Navy
#SAM

🇮🇷⚔️🇺🇸📝: How does the loss of the U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf hinder the U.S. Navy's ability to maintain ships deployed in the Arabian Sea for long periods of time?

The US Navy and US Fifth Fleet are operating a fleet of about 20 ships in the northern Arabian Sea centered around two carrier strike groups - Lincoln and Bush - and an amphibious ready group - Boxer.

The loss of access to bases in and around the Persian Gulf means that all the food have to be procured either from local sources in and around the Indian Ocean, or brought in from East Asia.

To replenish the ships at sea with food, there are four ships available: USNS Arctic, Cesar Chavez, Wally Schirra and Alan Shepard. Some of these ships departed from bases in East Asia over a month ago.

Food, depending on the type, has specific shelf life. The Navy is well aware of this. Nuclear submarines load up all the food they need for months when they deploy. Surface ships have the advantage to receive fresh food on a more regular basis.

However, because of the number of ships on station, the limited number of store ships (four), and the elongated distance from supply sources, means that the food onboard ship will be of the type that can be stored, frozen or preserved for long duration. This means less fresh fruit & vegetables, or milk (butter there is good old fashion nuclear milk - if you know, you know).

What this story tells us, is that we need more logistics to keep our Navy at sea in a contested environment. In 2015, the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command re-introduced the concept of commercial shipping transferring fuel to Navy underway replenishment ships.

What we have lost are the commercial ships that can transfer dry stores and ammunition to restock.

Currently, the four stores ships have to shuttle between bases to the forward deployed fleet.

Remember, deployed warships are not cruise ships in the Caribbean. This does not mean we cannot do better, but admirals never like to prioritize and fund logistics over warships.

🔗 Sal Mercogliano

🇮🇱⚔️🇱🇧 Israeli Military Claims “Battle of Wits” Unfolding at Ali Taher

A “battle of wits” is unfolding between Hezbollah and Israeli forces around the strategic Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, Israeli outlet Walla reported, citing a senior Israeli military source.

➤ Haaretz reports the Israeli military has “decided not to allow Hezbollah operatives trapped in tunnels beneath southern Lebanon's Ali Taher ridge to leave unless they surrender, amid reports Israel is preparing an operation to seize the area”

➤ Walla said Hezbollah is tracking Israeli positions and attacking detected troop movements, as occurred Saturday when a drone strike wounded three Israeli soldiers, including an officer. Hezbollah has not claimed the attack.

➤ The Israeli outlet claimed Hezbollah is trying to resupply fighters trapped in underground facilities, who have emerged searching for food, while Israel hunts them and attempts to destroy the underground infrastructure.

“Anyone who emerges from the underground and surrenders will be taken to Israel for questioning, while anyone who remains underground will either die or we will kill him,” the Israeli source claimed.

➤ Walla reported that Israel attacked multiple areas after its soldiers were wounded but left Beirut and senior Hezbollah officials there “off-limits due to an American demand.” Israeli strikes killed 11 people, including three children, in Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani.

➤ L’Orient Today correspondent Muntasser Abdallah reported that Israel on Sunday bombarded Ali Taher with white phosphorus shells, airstrikes and helicopter machine-gun fire, including overnight.

🔗 DropSite

🇺🇸❌🇴🇲 AP: U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman because he is unhappy the country is close to a deal with Iran to manage ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, two regional officials said Tuesday, a day after Trump leveled the threat.

The officials said the Trump administration has told Oman it is opposed to parts of the yet-to-be-announced deal, including the joint Iranian and Omani management of the exit route out of the passage that’s critical to global supplies of oil and natural gas.

Meanwhile, a projectile hit a ship as it sailed out of the strait, according to the British military’s maritime monitoring agency, and an Iranian official said the waterway would not reopen until the United States meets Iran’s conditions.

@CIG_telegram