유도탄 Mk.41 VLS에 통합 가능한 패트리어트 PAC3 공개

[위종민]

Mk.41 VLS에서 발사 가능하도록 통합된 패트리어트 PAC3가 미해군 수상함 협회 심포지엄에서 공개됐네요. 1셀에 한 발이 들어가고, 이지스 시스템과 완전 통합이 가능하다고 합니다. 

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sna-2023/2023/01/lockheed-martin-showcases-patriot-integration-with-mk-41-vls/

Lockheed Martin Showcases Patriot Integration with Mk 41 VLS - Naval News

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa

4-5 minutes

---

Naval News had the opportunity to hear first-heard Lockheed Martin's Patriot VLS integration concept at SNA 2023.

11 Jan 2023

Lockheed Martin showcased a Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) capable Patriot missile for the first time at the Surface Navy Association (SNA) 2023 National Symposium. The display consisted of a single Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) launching from one Mk 41 VLS cell. 

PAC-3 MSE Mk 41 VLS concept. Picture by author.

Tom Cavanaugh of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control highlighted efforts to integrate the PAC-3 MSE into the AEGIS Weapons System: 

“We’ve conducted some testing and integration work for the government already where we’ve demonstrated the capability at different levels of system integration across the AEGIS Weapon System that will eventually lead to a flight test in the near future on there (referring to the display), but it’s fully integrated with the AEGIS Weapons System.”

Thomas Copeman, VP of Naval Systems, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, states in our video interview that Patriot has been integrated with AEGIS in previous efforts with AEGIS Ashore, a land-based version of the AEGIS Weapons System focused on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), at the Pacific Missile Range Facility:

Both Lockheed Martin representatives brought up various reasons why Patriot would be a good alternative to the U.S. Navy’s (USN) current Standard Missile series. 

Cavanaugh emphasized how PAC-3 MSE’s capabilities, such as its hit-to-kill interceptor, active Ka-band seeker, and altitude control motors, bring a new dimension to USN anti-aircraft warfare.  

The PAC-3 MSE’s 180 altitude control motors were highlighted by Lockheed Martin representatives. Picture by author.

“So it kind of changes the calculus and how our adversaries effectors are focused on our platforms and how they’ve had you know, they just weapon systems been in the fleet for over 50 years Standard Missile has been out there with them. Or adversaries have designed measures to counter those systems. This changes that calculus using this weapon. So it brings the Navy a great capability.” 

Another aspect that Cavanaugh remarked on was PAC-3 MSE’s longstanding, and expanding production line, which in turn can provide the USN with another source for BMD-capable missiles.

“We’re at a 500 missile per year production rate ramped up to 550 by the end of the year by the end of 2023. And then we’re investing in facilitation to increase that production as well.”

SM-6 procurement. (Taken from DoD FY23 Budget Estimates Procurement)

PAC-3 MSE could supplement SM series missiles in the critical role of BMD in the fleet. As a comparison, the current SM-6 production is 125 missiles a year with the line planning to produce 200 per year by 2026.

While the length of the Mk 41 VLS needed to support PAC-3 MSE isn’t mentioned, Copeland confirmed the missile doesn’t need “strike length” silos. Lockheed Martin intends to make it capable across all Mk 41 VLS-equipped vessels across the fleet. 

The concept of VLS launched Patriot has been around for a while. However, Cavanaugh stated that recent interest from the USN has reinvigorated Lockheed Martin’s development on the Mk 41 VLS-capable Patriot. 

“Oh yeah, we’ve looked at this before. There’s more interest from the U.S. Navy. I would say there’s more focus on it now. We’ve progressed significantly last year in our integration efforts and demonstrated that integration to the U.S. government.”

Naval News could not receive comment on exactly why the USN’s interest has increased to the point of the concept making its debut at SNA. 

This concept follows Lockheed Martin’s efforts in joining together Army and Navy programs, as previously seen with the successful Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and Mid-Range Capability.  

[백선호]

SM 시리즈와 비교해서 어떤 장단점이 있을까요??

[엑스트라 1]

SM-6의 종말단계 탄도탄방어능력을 더 작고, 싼 값에 제공할 수 있지만 SM-6처럼 수백km 너머의 항공기를 요격할 순 없죠.

[위종민]

https://www.reddit.com/r/WarCollege/comments/xccr88/why_use_both_sm6_and_pac3_instead_of_a_single/

https://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/387-1689.aspx#startofcomments

레딧과 strategypage에 관련된 글이 있는데, PAC3가 SM-6보다 많이 작고 가볍네요. 중량이 700파운드로 ESSM의 620파운드와 비교해봐도 그렇게 무겁지가 않습니다. 해상운용에 문제만 없으면 일본이 굴릴 탄도탄 요격용 이지스구축함엔 PAC3를 넣는게 나을 지도..

SM-6는 1단계 중량만 1,600파운드고 2단계 로켓모터까지 합치면 3천 파운드... @.@ 유도가 문제지 날아가기는 6백~7백km를 날아갈 거라고 써놨는데 사실일지.

[엑스트라 1]

SM-2계열(6포함)은 장거리를 날아가기 위해 비행속도와 부스터-서스테이너 비율을 조절하여서 충분히 가능할 것입니다. 패트리어트 MSE는 종말단계 탄도탄 방어는 잘 해도 SM-6처럼 해군 NIFC-CA 시스템과의 연동이 안되서 초수평선 순항미사일 요격이 제한되겠지요.