SeaRAM

The War Zone Reports,

The U.S. Navy plans to add RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles(RAM) to the arsenals of its Arleigh Burke class destroyers to boost their defenses against incoming cruise missiles, drones, and other air and surface threats. RAM launchers will take the place of existing 20mm Vulcan cannon-armed Mk 15 Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS), but the exact final configuration will differ depending on the sub-class of ship.

Replacing the Phalanx with SeaRAM on National Security Cutters would be a major improvement in their ability to survive an air attack. It has much greater range and greater ability to deal with multiple targets, as well as much better anti-surface capabilities, than the Phalanx which has an absolute max range of about three miles and an effective range of about one mile.

It is an easy swap.

The SeaRAM combines the radar and electro-optical system of the Phalanx CIWS Mk-15 Block 1B (CRDC) with an 11-cell RAM launcher to produce an autonomous system—one which does not need any external information to engage threats. Like the Phalanx, SeaRAM can be fitted to any class of ship. Due to the common mounting, SeaRAM inherits the relatively easy installation characteristics of its gun-based sibling, with Raytheon stating that SeaRAM “fits the exact shipboard installation footprint of the Phalanx, uses the same power and requires minimal shipboard modification”. In 2008, the first SeaRAM system was delivered to be installed on USS Independence.

The Missile: 

RAM or Rolling Airframe Missile, RIM-116, is a relatively small, relatively cheap, quite  mature weapon system having its Initial Operational Capability in 1992. Fitting SeaRAM would bring the NSC’s weapons fit more in line with that of the LCSs which are also fitted with the 57mm Mk110 and RAM. RAM is currently fitted on virtually every US Navy surface combatants other than cruisers which will soon be decommissioned and the destroyers that will be getting the system.

Anti-Surface Capability:

RAM would also provide an enhanced anti-surface capability. SeaRAM would be an excellent complement to the 57mm Mk 110. The 57mm has a greater maximum range than the RAM, but effective ranges are similar, at five to six miles. SeaRAM has only eleven rounds immediately available, but it’s combination of high hit probability, Mach 2+ speed, 164 pound mass, and a 1.3 kg (24 lb 15 oz) warhead means it can inflict significant damage quickly.

(Eleven rounds times 164 pounds equals 1804 pounds. That mass is equal to 340 rounds of 57mm HE and the RAM probably has a higher hit probability.)

Why isn’t the Navy Converting all Phalanx?

The fact that the Navy is not replacing all Phalanx systems with SeaRAM might suggest they don’t believe RAM is necessary for all classes, but, actually, every US Navy combatant that has a Phalanx, also has a longer ranged missile system. If they don’t have the longer ranged Standard or ESSM missile systems, then they have RAM, many have more than one.

Hopefully all Coast Guard NSC Phalanx systems will be replaced by SeaRAM.

The Offshore Patrol Cutter:

For many potential naval missions, OPCs are interchangeable with the NSCs. They probably should be similarly equipped. If the NSCs need SeaRAM, the OPCs need it more.

Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

April 8

U.S.R.C. Onondaga, America’s Cup races, 1901. Library of Congress.

1902  President Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and his party of 40 guests boarded USRC Onondaga in Charleston Harbor.  The cutter, which had been dressed in “rainbow fashion,” extended to the President “all honors as prescribed by the Regulations, Revenue Cutter Service.”  The cutter and its crew of transported them to Fort Sumter and back. The cutter expended “42 6 pdr saluting charges” by firing two separate 21-gun salutes.

1909  Race Point, Massachusetts: The sloop Keewaydin IV’s mast was carried away and the sloop anchored 2 miles SW of station, but dragged ashore.  Station crew was on the beach when she struck and the keeper rowed out surf and threw a heaving line on board.  One of the two men was rescued by this means.  The other jumped overboard and was pulled ashore by the keeper.  The sloop drifted up on the beach and became a total wreck.

USRC Seneca, 1908

1913 USRC Seneca, designed from the keel up as the nation’s first “derelict destroyer,” inaugurated the service’s participation in the International Ice Patrol.

SAULT SAINT MARIE, Mich. (Sept. 15)–The Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay (WTGB 101) is tied to the pier at Group Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. USCG photo by PA1 Harry C. Craft III

1978 CGC Katmai Bay was launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Inc., in Tacoma, Washington.  Katmai Bay was the first cutter in the Coast Guard’s new class of icebreaking harbor tugs.  The cutter was sponsored by Ms. Jeanmarie Griffin.

Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) visited Palmer Station, a United States research station on the Antarctic peninsula, March 3, 2023, after completing a successful deployment in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2023. This was the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star’s first visit to Palmer Station in 35 years. Operation Deep Freeze is one of many operations in the Indo-Pacific in which the U.S. military promotes security and stability across the region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Aidan Cooney)

2023 CGC Polar Star returned to Seattle 8 April 2023 following a 144-day deployment to Antarctica. The deployment marks the ship’s 26th journey to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze, an annual joint military service mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations. Polar Star departed Seattle on 14 November 2022, traveling more than 25,000 miles through the North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, Southern, and South Atlantic Oceans. While en route, the crew made two stops in Australia. After arriving in Antarctica, the cutter broke a 15.3-mile channel through fast ice to create a route for cargo vessels to reach McMurdo Station. The cutter then departed the Antarctic region on March 2. On the return journey, the ship crossed the Drake Passage, rounded Cape Horn, and stopped in Chile. At the stop in Valparaiso, Chile the Polar Star’s crew conducted exchanges with the Chilean Navy and First Naval Zone members. “The completion of this mission is a testament to our crew’s hard work, sacrifice, and dedication,” said CAPT Keith Ropella, Polar Star’s commanding officer.

Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

April 7

Photograph of Ellsworth P. Bertholf, Commandant of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service from 1911 to 1915 and Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1915 to 1919. Coast Guard photo.

1866  The first Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Ellsworth P. Bertholf, was born in New York City.  He entered the Revenue Cutter Service as a cadet on September 14, 1885 and graduated from the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction with the Class of 1887.

1938  Congress passed HR 8982, an amendment to the Alien Fishing Act (50 Stat. 639).  The amendment clarified the earlier laws on salmon fishing in Alaskan waters by limiting commercial salmon fishing in the vicinity of Bristol Bay, Alaska, to U.S. citizens only.  The act was enforced by the Coast Guard.

HMT Bedfordshire one of over 20 Royal Navy trawlers dispatched to the US to escort coastal convoys, sunk by the German submarine U-558 on 11 May 1942 off the coast of Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with the loss of all hands.

1942  A Coast Guard aircraft directed a Royal Navy trawler to a life boat with 24 survivors off the coast of North Carolina.

1952  The breakup of ice in the Missouri River and its tributaries at Bismarck, North Dakota, and above, and on the Big Sioux, created the worst flooding conditions in that area in thirty years.  U.S. Coast Guard personnel rendered assistance, utilizing small boats, mobile radio stations, automotive equipment, helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft.  The Coast Guard evacuated stranded persons, transported critical relief supplies, evacuated livestock from low ground, transported personnel engaged in levee construction, and generally assisted the Red Cross, local, state, civil, and military authorities.

Aerial view of China’s icebreaker Xue Long 2 berthing at the pier of Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center on July 3 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China.
This icebreaker, delivered in 2019 and with a displacement of about 14,000 tons, is said to be the first icebreaking vessel capable of breaking polar ice with both its bow and stern in the world.

The Diplomat provides an unusually balanced assessment of China’s current icebreaker competence. It also projects their growing technical development.

It looks at the relationship between China and Russia in the Arctic, opportunism but with some degree of distrust.

China’s largest and most capable icebreaking research vessel, Xue Long 2. Snow Dragon 2, sails in Antarctica’s Prydz Bay in this aerial photo taken on Nov. 19, 2019

It talks about the Chinese military’s interest in polar regions, not just the Arctic, they see the Antarctic as an area of possible future conflict.

Aerial view of China’s icebreaker Ji Di berthing at the pier of Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center on July 3 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China.
© Sun Qimeng/VCG via AP

Also of interest is the growing number of ships of various types that are not icebreakers, in the usual sense of a ship that breaks ice to allow other ships to pass, but are ships of various types that are simply designed to operate independently in ice covered waters.

China’s first icebreaker, Ukrainian built, Xue Long 1. Snow Dragon 1

I did did a post about the testing of SAAB’s torped 47 from their small high speed Combat Boat 90 less than a week ago, but the video above from Naval News, includes some additional information about the testing and shows the torpedo launched from the smallest and simplest surface craft I have ever seen launch a torpedo, an unmanned outboard motorboat.

I am interested in this type of weapon because I believe it is the cheapest and easiest way for a patrol craft to forcibly stop a medium to large vessel regardless of size. It would probably sink any vessel under 1,000 tons and seriously damage any vessel up to about 10,000 tons.

Given that this system is wire guided and provides sensor information back to the operator, it might be better, if it were thought of as one way suicide unmanned underwater vehicle. In a pinch, I wonder if it might be used to clear mines.

Reportedly the Ukrainians have this weapon along with the CB90. With a max speed of 40 knots and a range of 12 miles, I’m sure they will find a use for it.

Based on the Coast Guard Historian’s timeline, https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
With inspiration from Mike Kelso

April 4

1912  President William Howard Taft recommended abolishing the Revenue Cutter Service.  Instead of elimination though, his actions led to the creation of the Coast Guard by consolidating the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service on January 28, 1915.

A Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk inside USS Akron (ZRS-4) hangar.

1933  The Navy airship USS Akron crashed near the Barnegat Lightship. The ensuing search and rescue efforts employed over 20 Coast Guard vessels and aircraft.

BMCM Thomas McAdams

1972  BMC (later BMCM) Thomas D. McAdams became the first Coast Guardsmen to receive the new Coxswain insignia.  Then-Commandant ADM Chester Bender presented the insignia to Chief McAdams at a ceremony at the Coast Guard’s Small Boat School in Ilwaco, Washington, where McAdams was the OIC.

1975  Four Coast Guard helicopters saved 36 crewmen from the 557-foot tanker Spartan Lady after the oil-laden vessel broke up in heavy seas 165 miles south-east of New York.  Two of the helicopters were from AIRSTA Brooklyn and two were from AIRSTA Cape Cod.

Janna Lambine, Cdr. USCG

1977  The Coast Guard designated its first female Coast Guard aviator, Janna Lambine.  She was Coast Guard Aviator #1812.

U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam Commander Capt. Nicholas R. Simmons and the Honorable Joses R. Gallen, Secretary of Justice, Federated States of Micronesia, signed an expanded shiprider agreement allowing remote coordination of authorities, the first of its kind aboard the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) in Guam, on Oct. 13, 2022. The agreement will enable to U.S to act on behalf of the FSM to combat illicit maritime activity and to strengthen international security operations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)

Stars and Stripes reports,

Senior Coast Guard leadership in Washington D.C., ordered the shift, Muir added. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security, now under Secretary Kristi Noem. To achieve that goal, Sector Guam is deploying its cutters closer to islands like Guam and Saipan, rather than farther out to sea, Crose said. However, new cutters would allow more flexibility on deployments.

Thanks to Paul for bringing this to my attention.