NationStates Jolt Archive

GWS.41M Loon (http://www.worldweapon.narod.ru/image/shema3m51.jpg) [fig.2] (http://www.mbda.net/test_phototheque/photos/milas_2.jpg)
Figure 1 shown is an early preproduction version, whereas figure 2 indicates an early production model.

The "Loon" is an anti-submarine missile that can be launched either from surface ships or submarines. It carries 200-350kg lightweight (i.e. 324mm) torpedo (LWT) to the last noted position of the target before releasing its payload.
(Please note: wire-guidance of either the missile or torpedo is not possible with this system. Apologies for any confusion this omission may have caused.)

The weight of the launch vehicle, with booster but without the torpedo, is about 500kg (497.94kg; 376.71kg without booster). With an MU 90 torpedo, the Loon can attain a range of up to 60km, with an initial speed (ballistic phase) of up to Mach 2.25. The launch vehicle can be continuously updated by the firing vessel or by a linked helicopter while in flight. Once the booster engine has been detached, the Loon cruises to the target using a high efficiency thrust-vectoring turbojet engine at trans-sonic (high subsonic) speed. Above the target, the launch vehicle releases the payload, which then parachutes into the water and proceeds to seek its foe.

The Loon can be launched by a ship equipped with a Mk.41 VLS, or a ship or submarine able to fire a Tomahawk missile. Many varieties of LWTs may be fitted, and adaptation to another type of torpedo--say, from a US Mk.50 to a MU 90--can be accomplished easily at sea.

Characteristics (with MU 90 as payload)
Length: 5.25m (without booster), 5.7m (with booster), 6.248m (with booster, in submarine launch (SL) canister)
Diameter: 464mm (pre-launch); 533mm (stabilising fins, SL canister); 1.624m (wings of launch vehicle extended)
Mass: 680.71kg (without booster), 801.94kg (with booster), 949.68kg (with booster, in SL canister)
Range: 60km
Speed: Mach 2.25 (ballistic phase); Mach 0.6-0.85 (transitional); ~50kts (terminal velocity of MU 90 torpedo)
Price (without torpedo): $375,000 per unit (VL version); $385,000 per unit (SL version).
Production rights (Restricted): $2 billion.

[Edit: Sub-compatible version characteristics added, 03/04/2004; Corrections, 03/04/2004; Corrections, 06/04/2004]

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Seems a reasonably competent competitor to the VLA. We require twenty of these missiles for testing and evaluation purposes.

Seems a reasonably competent competitor to the VLA. We require twenty of these missiles for testing and evaluation purposes.

To: The Freethinkers

Thank you for your interest in this weapons system. The total cost for this test procurement is $7.5 million. RSIN will provide technicians to adapt the missile to your lightweight torpedo specifications free of charge should you require their services.

Thank you for your interest,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

*Money wired through central banks*

Thank you very much. We will in turn give you back the results of our evaluation, if you wish. Your technicians will not be necessary.

Goodday.

MOD - Freethinkers

*Money wired through central banks*

Thank you very much. We will in turn give you back the results of our evaluation, if you wish. Your technicians will not be necessary.

Goodday.

MOD - Freethinkers

To: The Freethinkers

RSIN would be glad to hear of the results of your evaluation.

Thank you,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

"The Empire is interested in these weapons, and would like to acquire 20 of them for our own tests. Before we acquire any, what is the weapon rated at in armor piercing?"

John Trotsky
Defense Contractor

"The Empire is interested in these weapons, and would like to acquire 20 of them for our own tests. Before we acquire any, what is the weapon rated at in armor piercing?"

John Trotsky
Defense Contractor

To: John Trotsky

RSIN thanks you for your interest in "Loon" weapon system. The armour-piercing capability of this weapon is determined by the lightweight torpedo (LWT) used as payload. Generally, the "Loon" is built configured to accept the LWT in service with the purchasing nation. The total cost of this test procurement, should you wish to proceed, will be $7.5 million for 20 missiles and boosters. Technicians will be provided free of charge to adapt the missiles to your navy's LWTs, should you require.

Thank you,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

"We wish to proceed and have begun the transfer of funds. We will not require technitions, we prefer working with no manual."

John Trotsky
Defense Contractor

Submarine launched version characteristics entered.

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We wish to buy one of these missiles, but we ask it be sent to us disarmed, as its bound for a display case

*money wired on confrimation*

We wish to buy one of these missiles, but we ask it be sent to us disarmed, as its bound for a display case

*money wired on confrimation*

To: Transnapastain

Confirmation of sale of one GWS-41M sans fuel for $375,000.

Neville Colwan, Senior Accountant
Product Management Division
RSIN

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We would like to acquire forty for tests, twenty variants of each.

Brian Dredon
Defense Minister

We would like to acquire forty for tests, twenty variants of each.

Brian Dredon
Defense Minister

To: Min. Dredon

Your Excellency, the total cost of this trial procurement will be $15.2 million US. The trial allotment will be shipped upon arrival of payment.

Thank you for your interest in our merchandise,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

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OOC: Nice....you know you're a member of the OMP? I have a project going on anyway called the JEFP, and I need someone to help with the electronics outfit on it. Have a look if you want :D

IC:

The evaluation of the VLS launched version complete, our report can be summarised as follows.

"The missile consistently matched and bettered the performance of late-mod VLA units in repeated tests against shallow and deep marine targets. Excellent performance was noted especially in terms of accuracy and resistance to basic jamming techniques, proving satisfactory in both areas and placing this missile as a serious contender for a place within our navy.

We also feel we must make several special points. In terms of cost, this missile represented excellent value for money, especially when mated to the Mk.22 12.75" Torpedo our naval forces commonly used. The variable ordinance load the missile carried also proved useful, allowing us to adapt the missile to several different torpedo and depth charge weapons.

Our overall conclusion is that this weapon be further evaluated for the purpose of introducing it into widespread use. A further order of thirty examples for basic testing has been authorised, as has the purchase of 120 examples for use within a test SUWEX for our forces next month."

Therefore, the Department of Defence Acquisitions wishes to order 150 VLS-launched missiles for the above stated purposes.

Money will be wired from our central bank upon confirmation.

Would it be possibel to fire these from 533mm or 650mm torpedo tubes?

OOC: Nice....you know you're a member of the OMP? I have a project going on anyway called the JEFP, and I need someone to help with the electronics outfit on it. Have a look if you want :D

IC:

The evaluation of the VLS launched version complete, our report can be summarised as follows.

"The missile consistently matched and bettered the performance of late-mod VLA units in repeated tests against shallow and deep marine targets. Excellent performance was noted especially in terms of accuracy and resistance to basic jamming techniques, proving satisfactory in both areas and placing this missile as a serious contender for a place within our navy.

We also feel we must make several special points. In terms of cost, this missile represented excellent value for money, especially when mated to the Mk.22 12.75" Torpedo our naval forces commonly used. The variable ordinance load the missile carried also proved useful, allowing us to adapt the missile to several different torpedo and depth charge weapons.

Our overall conclusion is that this weapon be further evaluated for the purpose of introducing it into widespread use. A further order of thirty examples for basic testing has been authorised, as has the purchase of 120 examples for use within a test SUWEX for our forces next month."

Therefore, the Department of Defence Acquisitions wishes to order 150 VLS-launched missiles for the above stated purposes.

Money will be wired from our central bank upon confirmation.

[OOC: Happily a member of the OMP. I'll have to check out the JEFP proposals, definitely. Thanks!]

To: The Freethinkers Dept. of Defence Acquisitions

The RSIN is pleased to hear the testing went well. 150 "Loons" will be prepared for your fleet for further testing purposes. The total cost of this procurement is $50.625 million after allied power discount. It has been a pleasure doing business with you.

Thank you,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

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Would it be possibel to fire these from 533mm or 650mm torpedo tubes?

To: Elias

The encapsulated submarine-launched (SL) version "Loon" may be fired from any submarine capable of firing a general-sized (533mm dia., 6.25m long) 533mm torpedo. Firing from a wider torpedo tube would permit a quiet swim-out using the capsule's intermediate transit (tube-to-surface) propulsor.

Thank you for your interest in our product,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

The ARSB would like to purchase 50 GWS-41M for extensive testing aboard our ships, judging from the already released reports, we feel this will be a competent and worthy purchase.

We also inquire about production rights, if it is possible that we can purchase them and how much....

Spasiba

Sergei Komrosky
Defense Department Procurement and Sales Division

The ARSB would like to purchase 50 GWS-41M for extensive testing aboard our ships, judging from the already released reports, we feel this will be a competent and worthy purchase.

We also inquire about production rights, if it is possible that we can purchase them and how much....

Spasiba

Sergei Komrosky
Defense Department Procurement and Sales Division

To: Sergei Komrosky

Sir, the RSIN thanks you for your interest in this product. The total cost of this test procurement is $18.75 million.

With regards to production rights, the Government's Foreign Arms Sales Commission is looking into the possibility of leasing the rights [OOC: I haven't figured out how much it might be yet!], and the RSIN would be happy to apprise you of how much that will be. [I'll try to be reasonable.]

Please contact us with the results of your tests.

Thank you,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

dp

Would it be possibel to fire these from 533mm or 650mm torpedo tubes?

To: Elias

The encapsulated submarine-launched (SL) version "Loon" may be fired from any submarine capable of firing a general-sized (533mm dia., 6.25m long) 533mm torpedo. Firing from a wider torpedo tube would permit a quiet swim-out using the capsule's intermediate transit (tube-to-surface) propulsor.

Thank you for your interest in our product,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN[/quote]


Thank you very much for your response to our query. We would like to purchase 10 units for evlauation that will be mated with Stingray lightweight torpedoes.

Although it might be obvious, should you not mention on the information the fact that this system is not compatible with wire-guided torpedoes?

Thank you very much for your response to our query. We would like to purchase 10 units for evlauation that will be mated with Stingray lightweight torpedoes.

Although it might be obvious, should you not mention on the information the fact that this system is not compatible with wire-guided torpedoes?

[OOC: You're absolutely right regarding the incompatibility with wire-guided torpedoes, and I'll make the changes on the main entry to make sure everyone else is aware. Like you noted, I thought it was obvious. :oops: ]

To: United Elias

The RSIN is honoured to deliver ten GWS.41M(S) [submarine launch variant] configured to fire Stingrays to your navy. The total cost of this procurement is $3.85 million for the missiles and capsules [OOC: I'm sorry, I don't know how much Stingrays cost here, otherwise this batch would be factory-fresh, torpedoes mated to missile, and ready for immediate testing.] Thank you for your interest in our products.

Sincerely,
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

Production rights now available for $2 billion.

bumping for sales, trials info, whatnot

OOC: Thanks for the help on the JEFP, should come in handy. Would it be possible to use the electronics outfit from the cutter? Sorry for not confirming the sale. :oops:

IC:
"We hope and trust that the funds for the 150 evaluation 'Loons' arrived from our central bank in good order.

"The results from the Submarine Warfare Exercise was very impressive on account of the Loon. Our Trident class submarines performed the worst they ever have done on this annual exercise, thanks in part to the Loon's effectiveness in evading countermeasures that worked very successfully on the late-model VLA currently in use.

Variability tests have also proven successful, with the system adapted to carry any lightweight anti-submarine system including tactical nuclear depth charges through to sensor nets of sonarbouys, as well as some classified weapons designed for use against super-cavitating torpedoes.

All in all, an excellent weapon. We are pleased to announce the procurement of 1,500 "Loon" 50 GWS-41M booster units for our navy, to be delivered over three years, as well as present an enquiry as to obtaining production rights."

Office of Vice Admiral G.C.H.Carter, head of Naval Procurement
Department of Defence Acquisitions
Navarre, The Freethinkers

OOC: Thanks for the help on the JEFP, should come in handy. Would it be possible to use the electronics outfit from the cutter? Sorry for not confirming the sale. :oops:

IC:
"We hope and trust that the funds for the 150 evaluation 'Loons' arrived from our central bank in good order.

"The results from the Submarine Warfare Exercise was very impressive on account of the Loon. Our Trident class submarines performed the worst they ever have done on this annual exercise, thanks in part to the Loon's effectiveness in evading countermeasures that worked very successfully on the late-model VLA currently in use.

Variability tests have also proven successful, with the system adapted to carry any lightweight anti-submarine system including tactical nuclear depth charges through to sensor nets of sonarbouys, as well as some classified weapons designed for use against super-cavitating torpedoes.

All in all, an excellent weapon. We are pleased to announce the procurement of 1,500 "Loon" 50 GWS-41M booster units for our navy, to be delivered over three years, as well as present an enquiry as to obtaining production rights."

Office of Vice Admiral G.C.H.Carter, head of Naval Procurement
Department of Defence Acquisitions
Navarre, The Freethinkers

To: Vice Admiral G.C.H. Carter, Naval Procurement (Head)
Department of Defence Acquisitions
Navarre, The Freethinkers

Vice Admiral, I thank you for the kind words regarding the "Loon." The device's manufacturers, Lyme & Martens Aerotechnics, have assured me they can ably produce as many as you require. The total cost for this procurement is $506.75 million, which may be paid in three annual instalments of $168.75 million. The licensing of the production rights goes for $2 billion, bringing the grand total to $2,506,750,000.

Thank you for your continued interest in our products, and best wishes on the high seas!
D-G Thomas Bullfinch, RSIN

*Cough* sales bump

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"Delivery confirmed. Initial payment of $2 billion has been wired through the central bank. $168,750,000 will be wired every year, for three years continuously, upon arrival of the weapons. Pleasure doing business with you."

Department of Defense Acquisitions
The Freethinkers

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bumping for sales

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