Rosdivan
11-11-2006, 01:24
International Journal of Military Equipment, page 47
Devalt Industries aggressively promotes new Shepherd anti-shipping missile
In a move widely regarded as an attempt by the Supreme Commonwealth of Rosdivan to break into the international arms market, Rosdivan-based Devalt Industries has recently distributed video brochures of its newest missile, the Shepherd (http://z13.invisionfree.com/The_NS_Draftroom/index.php?showtopic=3153) to the defense departments of many nations.
Accompanied by the fourth movement of Shostakovich's fifth symphony (http://ia300106.us.archive.org/1/items/dso20060204/dso20060204.4_64kb.mp3), the video brochures' feature an extensive amount of footage of the Shepherd going through its routines at its recent live-fire trials for the Commonwealth Navy of Rosdivan, with text detailing the abilities of the missile. One particularly striking sequence that is likely to result in a number of sales for the Shepherd involves a recitation of the missiles armor piercing performance, a claimed 26+ inches of naval armor, as the missile slams into the armor belt of a decommissioned battlecruiser while Shostakovich's piece turns to a drum heavy movement. The image of a badly listing, and smoking, vessel afterwards in combination with the music is one that, while it shouldn't, may very well influence procurement officials.
Most analysts believe that this missile, which can be fired from air, land, and sea units, is likely to play well with smaller nations who cannot afford the larger and more grandiose anti-shipping missiles, such as the Khan, but still desire the ability to protect themselves from the large battleships and dreadnoughts that have become increasingly popular. Indeed, should Devalt Industry's claims about its armor penetration capabilities prove accurate, it may cause lead to a higher preference for active countermeasures over a reliance on armor. The Shepherd's relatively low price and lack of over-specialization also make it a good general purpose anti-shipping missile, useful for destroyers and cruisers as well. Sources within the Commonwealth Navy indicate that that is the role to which it is being put towards, with its penetration characteristics being a useful addition.
The use of a solid-fuel rocket and a shaped charge warhead by the Shepherd is seen by some as a throwback to older, less modern notions of killing ships. According to Michael Whitepatrick, senior public affairs officer for Devalt Industry, "With the Shepherd, we wanted to create the most havoc aboard the target ship as possible. For us, that meant the use of a shaped charge primarily so that we could open up large stretches of compartments, possibly destroying magazines. And, while turbojets and ramjets would have increased range, a solid-fueled rocket makes for much nastier fires, increasing the amount of work required for damage control and increasing the damage to the ship."
Devalt Industries aggressively promotes new Shepherd anti-shipping missile
In a move widely regarded as an attempt by the Supreme Commonwealth of Rosdivan to break into the international arms market, Rosdivan-based Devalt Industries has recently distributed video brochures of its newest missile, the Shepherd (http://z13.invisionfree.com/The_NS_Draftroom/index.php?showtopic=3153) to the defense departments of many nations.
Accompanied by the fourth movement of Shostakovich's fifth symphony (http://ia300106.us.archive.org/1/items/dso20060204/dso20060204.4_64kb.mp3), the video brochures' feature an extensive amount of footage of the Shepherd going through its routines at its recent live-fire trials for the Commonwealth Navy of Rosdivan, with text detailing the abilities of the missile. One particularly striking sequence that is likely to result in a number of sales for the Shepherd involves a recitation of the missiles armor piercing performance, a claimed 26+ inches of naval armor, as the missile slams into the armor belt of a decommissioned battlecruiser while Shostakovich's piece turns to a drum heavy movement. The image of a badly listing, and smoking, vessel afterwards in combination with the music is one that, while it shouldn't, may very well influence procurement officials.
Most analysts believe that this missile, which can be fired from air, land, and sea units, is likely to play well with smaller nations who cannot afford the larger and more grandiose anti-shipping missiles, such as the Khan, but still desire the ability to protect themselves from the large battleships and dreadnoughts that have become increasingly popular. Indeed, should Devalt Industry's claims about its armor penetration capabilities prove accurate, it may cause lead to a higher preference for active countermeasures over a reliance on armor. The Shepherd's relatively low price and lack of over-specialization also make it a good general purpose anti-shipping missile, useful for destroyers and cruisers as well. Sources within the Commonwealth Navy indicate that that is the role to which it is being put towards, with its penetration characteristics being a useful addition.
The use of a solid-fuel rocket and a shaped charge warhead by the Shepherd is seen by some as a throwback to older, less modern notions of killing ships. According to Michael Whitepatrick, senior public affairs officer for Devalt Industry, "With the Shepherd, we wanted to create the most havoc aboard the target ship as possible. For us, that meant the use of a shaped charge primarily so that we could open up large stretches of compartments, possibly destroying magazines. And, while turbojets and ramjets would have increased range, a solid-fueled rocket makes for much nastier fires, increasing the amount of work required for damage control and increasing the damage to the ship."