UK Defence Forum

Does the above read as delivering nukes as opposed to doing all the normal 'stuff' but at range?

ArmChairCivvy wrote:Does the above read as delivering nukes as opposed to doing all the normal 'stuff' but at range?

We want slow, stealth and range and the French want speed

Lord Jim wrote:According to Jane's the Anglo/French next generation AShM/Cruise Missile (FCASW) has met a bit of an impasse as the requirements of both nations seem to be diverging and until this can be resolved the next phase is on pause.

Not good news. I personally thought MBDA's splitting of the requirement into 2 munitions, with some shared components, would satisfy all parties.

Have to wonder what the differences are, especially if the 2 missile approach was adopted (which surely MBDA discussed with the parties and was pointed towards). Both need a replacement for Storm Shadow/SCALP, a stealthy first strike weapon with extreme accuracy and range, with the ability to engage hardened and buried targets or that can be re-configured as a stealthy long range heavyweight anti ship missile. The additional bonus of a highly supersonic missile capable of engaging air, ground and sea targets I would have thought would have kept everyone happy.

I doubt we'll find out what the differences are, if they relate to the missiles themselves or development and production arguments, doctrinally I would have thought both were sound concepts, particularly with other weapons/remote carriers from MBDA on the way for FCAS and Tempest.

ArmChairCivvy wrote:Does the above read as delivering nukes as opposed to doing all the normal 'stuff' but at range?

Both missiles would lend themselves to conversion by the French at a later date (probably 'using' the technology rather than straight conversion to avoid political complications) to replace ASMP. But the French have started work on some hypersonic test labs and it was thought that that was their long term goal for ASMP replacement.

It'll be interesting to see what's on the cards for complex weapons, especially MBDA, post the forthcoming SDSR. While many in the armed forces look longingly at what the US have, this represents a real opportunity to drive UK industry technology and advanced manufacturing. For example, SPEAR 3.

(Forces News) 14th September 2021

Just over £70 million is being invested in laser and radio frequency weapons. The Ministry of Defence has awarded three contracts to UK industry to make them as part of the Novel Weapons Programme. The announcement was made at Defence and Security Equipment International - known as DSEI.

More: https://www.forces.net/news/mod-awards- ... -and-radio

BAE next gen 155mm ammunition :-


https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defe ... mpaign=RSS