Navy Aegis Cruisers need counter-battery Land attack Missiles

Aegis cruiser firing a missile

Carlton Meyer
21st Century Weapons
e-mail May 1998

The Land Attack Standard Missile (LASM) provides the U.S. Navy with a new strike capability. Unfortunately, the ability of the LASM to support tactical operations ashore is limited since targeting data must be received from external sources. This intelligence must be instantly transmitted to ships offshore free of enemy jamming and normal communications interference. These factors undermine the value of LASMs on fluid battlefields.

The solution is to incorporate counter-battery computer software into the Aegis radar system. Artillerymen have already perfected radar systems which instantly locate the origin of small projectiles. If this technology were adopted to Aegis, Navy cruisers and destroyers could evaluate the speed, size and trajectory of projectiles and immediately target missile launchers, howitzers, mortars, and even anti-aircraft guns. Since Aegis can guide Standard missiles to intercept supersonic aircraft, it can certainly guide Standard missiles (or 5-inch guns) to strike targets ashore.

Standard SAM firing from a Vertical Launch System

A sophisticated enemy may jam missiles guided by Aegis radar or GPS satellite signals. Therefore, the Navy should also develop a Radar Attack Standard Missile (RASM). A RASM would incorporate the proven radar-seeking guidance now used by HARM air-to-ground missiles. When ships locate enemy radar emissions, RASMs could be fired. As a RASM begins its descent in the vicinity of the radar site, the radar-seeker would take control and guide the missile to the source. RASMs could be employed against radar-guided anti-aircraft and anti-ship systems ashore, enemy counter-battery radar, and possibly against radar emitting ships over- the horizon.

Utilizing Aegis as a counterbattery and radar targeting system will greatly enhance our Navy's ability to strike targets ashore. Enemy weaponry firing upon friendly ships, aircraft, or troops will face immediate destruction. This capability will prove valuable in high intensity amphibious operations as well as small peacekeeping operations. Even primitive guerrilla units firing simple mortars and anti-aircraft guns would face detection and rapid destruction from ships offshore. Adapting Aegis to guide LASMs and RASMs does not require the development of new technology, only the incorporation of existing artillery counterbattery software.

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