APKWS Takes Down Cruise Missile

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Vampire Surface to Air/Surface guided 70mm Guided Rocket System using Fletcher launcher and APKWS guided Hydra Rockets.

We have reports that the Ukrainian Navy has shot down a Russian KH-59 cruise missile using an APKWS guided 70mm guided Hydra Rocket.

Russian made Kh-59 air to surface cruise missile. Photo from Wikipedia

I have an intense interest in the system because I believe it meets many of the US Coast Guard’s needs for increased capability against drones, aircraft, small fast highly maneuverable surface craft, and larger vessels, while being small and light enough to equip WPBs. I have been talking about APKWS since 20217. 

And it is cheap. For comparison, an all-up APKWS round cost about the same as a single 57mm Mk110 round, the probability of hit is higher, the effective range–about 5,000 meters–may be shorter, but each round can be more destructive.

The weapon is already in the USN supply system. The Navy would be paying for them, but we have to ask for them, not just for wartime, but for peacetime counter-terrorism as well.

The VAMPIRE system can fit in almost any pickup or vehicle with a cargo bed. (Courtesy of L3Harris)

The complete system was developed by L3Harris.

“Proximity fuzes are used to engage fast-moving targets like drones, aircraft or missiles. L3Harris’ Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE™), equipped with the WESCAM MX™-10D RSTA sensor system, uses proximity fuzes in order to significantly increase the probability of hitting the target.”

In addition, Vampire includes the four round Fletcher Launcher from Arnold Defense and the APKWS guidance system for 70mm Hydra Rockets.

I believe the Fletcher launcher can be mounted on the mounts we use for the .50 caliber machine gun.

Installed on a cutter, we could have the Electro-optic device on the mast and a Fletcher launcher on either side.

An alternative c-UAS system with radar here.

There is no indication what type of patrol boat the Vampire system was mounted on, but I hope it was one of the former US Coast Guard patrol boats transferred to the Ukraine Navy. Three of the four largest vessels in the Ukrainian Navy are former USCG Island class WPBs. A fourth was lost in combat.

Ukrainian Navy Island-class patrol boats, formerly of the U.S. Coast Guard, conduct maritime security operations in the Black Sea off the coast of Odesa, Ukraine.
UKRAINIAN NAVY

7 thoughts on “APKWS Takes Down Cruise Missile”

  1. We need a fire-and-forget APKWS that seeks IR and RF, not just laser illumination.

    Investments in improvements of Hydra-70 Rockets should be made.  The Hydra-70 is the most basic, least costly, and short range capable (> 5-miles when air launched) that need attention.  A lot of technology has transpired since the last components of these weapons were manufactured.  With a new rocket with greater impulse of longer duration we will have a longer range weapon for visual and directed engagements.

    Warhead work is required. Greater energetics and other technologies incorporated to improve lethality and performance is required.

    Mid-body guidance should continue, but we can plumb different things in the sensor locations using the same form factor.

    We need a launcher that can go anywhere, interface with anything, and handle salt-air exposure for long periods of time.

    A completely new family of rocket motors needs development.  Rocket fuel of greater energetics are possible in this construct. A two-stage design rocket motor is needed with a short hot stage fuel for initial launch and slower and longer burning sustainer stage that carries the rocket to target in the same form factor. New nozzle designs are needed. New fin designs are possible, but keep what works as we test improvements.

    Greater and more efficient/effective energetics for explosives in warheads has increased capabilities in smaller packages. These given, known, and well understood warheads can all be improved. Things are much smaller, lighter, and more capable with just a little time, investment, and development & test.

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