High-Altitude Torpedo Launch

Juergen Nieveler wrote:
wrote:

Or is the Navy really worried about Sub-launched SAM's?

The answer to both questions is probably "yes."

Why? So far nobody has fielded a sub-launched SAM system, and given the
difficulties found in the experiments (mast mounted blowpipe, for
example), it's unlikely that anybody is going to try again in the near
future.

Well, this is mostly unconfirmed, but there were rumors to the effect
that Russian Kilo-class boats (but only the actual Russian ones, not
the ones sold to India, China and Iran) have a few SA-N-8 Gremlin
(Strela) or SA-N-9 Gauntlet (Kinzhal/Klinok) missiles mounted in the
sail, for defense when they're forced to surface. This probably makes
more sense for diesel boats than nuclear ones, though. More likely they
carry Gremlin than Gauntlet, if anything at all - Gauntlet isn't a huge
missile, but it's not tiny either - see the size of the SA-N-9 VLS on
Udaloy, Neustrashimy or Kuznetsov. On the other hand, it does have the
advantage of being designed for vertical launch. Strela is normally a
MANPADS.

Juergen Nieveler
--
Don't hit me, Mr. Moderator... I'll go back on topic... I swear!

In message . com,
Kronoman writes
Well, this is mostly unconfirmed, but there were rumors to the effect
that Russian Kilo-class boats (but only the actual Russian ones, not
the ones sold to India, China and Iran) have a few SA-N-8 Gremlin
(Strela) or SA-N-9 Gauntlet (Kinzhal/Klinok) missiles mounted in the
sail, for defense when they're forced to surface.

Pressure-tight canister with a SA-14/16/18 gripstock and a few rounds
inside, according to some sketches. Nothing more dramatic (and that
assumes it's actually present, I've not seen anything conclusive one way
or another)

This probably makes
more sense for diesel boats than nuclear ones, though. More likely they
carry Gremlin than Gauntlet, if anything at all - Gauntlet isn't a huge
missile, but it's not tiny either - see the size of the SA-N-9 VLS on
Udaloy, Neustrashimy or Kuznetsov.

Never mind the VLS, where do you put the Cross Swords director and the
surveillance/target acquisition to cue it? Like Sea Wolf, that's not a
compact system by the time you've brought all the required elements
along.

On the other hand, it does have the
advantage of being designed for vertical launch. Strela is normally a
MANPADS.

The Kilos apparently have good compartmentalisation and lots of reserve
buoyancy, so a lightweight torpedo hit might force one to the surface
but not sink it.

At that point, having a couple of SAMs immediately to hand might keep
MPA or helicopters at a respectful distance, enough that their torpedo
drops are done from a long way out if at all; this might be worthless
(if enemy surface units are to hand) or quite handy (if dealing with a
single helicopter or MPA, with its backup some way away). Wouldn't let
the Kilo do much more than limp away, but that might be enough to get it
and its crew home.

Some say that the Santa Fe incident had an influence, others say there's
no such canister of missiles anyway

--
Paul J. Adam