US tests ground based cruise missile

Two weeks after withdrawing from the INF treaty, the US has tested a ground based cruise missile capable of flying in excess of 500 kilometers. Such missiles were banned under the INF. The test occurred at San Nicolas Island yesterday. The missile was fired from a Mk41 VLS tube on the island, before flying to and hitting a target. The Pentagon is looking at conventionally armed missiles that can be fired from the ground.

WASHINGTON — The United States has tested a new ground-based cruise missile that is capable covering 500 kilometers in range, less than three weeks after officially exiting an arms treaty that banned such systems.

The test occurred 2:30 PM Pacific time Sunday at San Nicolas Island, California, according to a Pentagon announcement. The missile “exited its ground mobile launcher and accurately impacted its target after more than 500 kilometers of flight,” the release said. “Data collected and lessons learned from this test will inform the Department of Defense’s development of future intermediate-range capabilities.”

The United States exited the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty Aug. 2, following through on a decision made late last year that the treaty no longer benefited American interests.

www.defensenews.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

So, interesting timing there.

How fast does it take to design a missile? Do you think they started working on the missile after October 2018 or way before?

a reply to: grey580

It actually looks like they modified a Block IV Tomahawk for the test. It's hard to tell on a phone screen, but it looks like a Tomahawk launching.

originally posted by: grey580
a reply to: Zaphod58

So, interesting timing there.

How fast does it take to design a missile? Do you think they started working on the missile after October 2018 or way before?

LOL, I get where you are coming from. they likely started in March.

Picture of launch on this link.

Launcher on a semi-trailer

a reply to: grey580

I imagine they do not need to create new technologies and just modify what they already have.

The Harpoon has had a land launched version for years. Taking it up to a Tomahawk VLS is child's play.

a reply to: JIMC5499

Well looking at the pic linked it does indeed appear to be a VLS cell literally mounted to a semi trailer. Like the exact same type that you would see installed on a ship. Not too far fetched either as I don't think there is much need to change the design really just because its not on a ship...as long as the platform you wish to mount it to can handle the weight and launch stress you're good.

a reply to: RickyD
It would actually be simpler, since the missile doesn't have to correct for the movement of the ship. Also firing from a fixed site would increase the accuracy.

originally posted by: grey580
a reply to: Zaphod58

So, interesting timing there.

How fast does it take to design a missile? Do you think they started working on the missile after October 2018 or way before?

When do you think they wrote the Patriot act, years before 9/11?

My only question will they be attaching the neutron war head on them?

a reply to: RickyD

It's a Mk41 VLS tube. It's the same that's used on ships and Aegis Ashore.

a reply to: PhilbertDezineck

That is so 80's.

They have cooler things now.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

It would be nice if they did that.

Cost effective and cheaper.

originally posted by: grey580
a reply to: PhilbertDezineck

That is so 80's.

They have cooler things now.

What could be cooler than to melt people and leave infrastructure.

originally posted by: PhilbertDezineck

originally posted by: grey580
a reply to: PhilbertDezineck

That is so 80's.

They have cooler things now.

What could be cooler than to melt people and leave infrastructure.

Nano machine war heads that convert you to stone calcium perhaps?

a reply to: Zaphod58

The missile was fired from a Mk41 VLS tube on the island, before flying to and hitting a target. The Pentagon

I knew it!

a reply to: PhilbertDezineck

Dial a yield 24/7/30 anti matter weaponry.

originally posted by: grey580
a reply to: Zaphod58

So, interesting timing there.

How fast does it take to design a missile? Do you think they started working on the missile after October 2018 or way before?

Hardly new and exciting nor would it violate the treaty at all. Ten miles, really lol. The treaty was meant to stop nuclear missiles being stacked in Europe causing it to be utterly wiped out in any war between Russia and the US.

This new cruise missile is more aimed at China. Marines want missiles like this on their islands they control to shoot at Chinese targets be it on their islands or ships that get close enough.

a reply to: Zaphod58

The US Army Navy and Marines need cheaper long range missiles. We will always be outdone when our contractors are wanting us to pay 800 grand to one million for one dam missile.

a reply to: RudeMarine

The treaty covered missiles with range over 500 km, which this missile fits.