The article says the minimum range is 5km (2 miles). Only 5km is 3 miles. I’d say 3-45 is more accurate.

This is a debacle waiting to happen. Not only did the Marines foolishly buy a rifled mortar so they can’t share 120mm ammo with the Army (which means they don’t get the low cost benefit of volume discounts), it also means they won’t be able to get and use the GPS-guided mortar round the Army is developing for deployment next year.

With as little money as the Navy gives them, you’d think the Marines would grab what’s already in the inventory and save some development costs.

Extending an open hand!

Option A: Install a 30mm chain gun with a high intensity floodlight with an independent LADAR or IR scanner, toss in a battle management program for fire control. Cost say 75-100K. The Systems exist, are proven, simple, reliable and deployable now.

Option B: Install a sold state 110Kw laser with the same local detection systems and battle management software. Cost in the 10’s of millions, may be deployable around 2916-2020. Will require significant modification to current ships to power the system.

Issues:
Systems do not exist, its not proven how wall a laser can take out a small boat in a marine environment (Given the power levels – most likely not well and no where near as effective as say a couple of 30mm hits)
Requires massive power system to power and charge the system to produce acceptable rates of fire. (Which rules out most of the current ships – but it would make it on the DDX!) Would result in several new billeting requirements for high cost sailors (contractor?) to maintain the system.

Would have issues in a multi-threat environment due to recharge rates and cooling issues.
While a 30mm system would have ammo detonation issues, high power capacitors has similar issues. More over high power electrical discharges are much more likely to ignite a ships hull the HE 30mm shells and can end up shorting out or fusing the entire ships power grid.

So naturally the Navy is going with option B….

I know times are tough, but if anyone can spare $5 or so, I know this 88 year old vet would appreciate the contribution. And I’m pretty sure he’ll spend it right.

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2009/07/17/news/religion/doc4a5f72f6f1eb3928873258.txt