"ASROC" redirects here. For the vertical-launch variant, see RUM-139 VL-ASROC.
The RUR-5 ASROC (for "Anti-Submarine Rocket") is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates. The ASROC has been deployed on scores of warships of many other navies, including Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of China, Greece, Pakistan and others.[4]
ASROC started development as the Rocket Assisted Torpedo (RAT) program by the Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake in the early 1950s to develop a surface warship ASW weapon to counter the new post-World War II submarines which ran quieter, at much higher speed and could attack from much longer range with high speed homing torpedoes. In addition, the goal was to take advantage of modern sonars with a much larger detection range. An extended range torpedo delivered by parachute from the air would allow warships the stand-off capability to attack hostile submarines with very little advance notice to the hostile submarine.
The RAT program came in three phases:[5] RAT-A, RAT-B and RAT-C. RAT-A and its follow-on, RAT-B, were compact and economical stand-off weapons for smaller warships, but were determined to be either unreliable or had too short a range. RAT-C was developed as a stand-off ASW weapon that used a nuclear depth charge. This required a range of at least 8,000 yards (7,300 m) to escape potential damage from the underwater blast. The RAT-C was considerably larger than the previous RAT program rockets to accommodate the extended range needed and was for larger warships.
After the failure of both the RAT-A and RAT-B programs, RAT-C was redesigned to use not only a nuclear depth charge but also a homing ASW torpedo. To obtain the accuracy needed, the RAT-C rocket launcher had to be redesigned with larger side fins. This program finally combined reliability and accuracy, along with the required stand-off range. Before RAT-C reached operational status in 1960, aboard the large US Navy destroyer leaderUSS Norfolk, its name was changed to ASROC.[6][7] ASROC was deployed in 1961 and eventually made the majority of USN surface combatants nuclear-capable.
Description
The first ASROC system using the MK-112 "Matchbox" launcher was developed in the 1950s and installed in the 1960s. This system was phased out in the 1990s and replaced with the RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC, or "VLA".[4]
After a surface ship, patrol plane or anti-submarine helicopter detects an enemy submarine by using sonar or other sensors, it could relay the sub's position to an ASROC-equipped ship for attack. The attacking ship would then fire an ASROC missile carrying an acoustic homing torpedo[8] or a W44 Nuclear Depth Bomb onto an unguided ballistic trajectory toward the target. At a pre-determined point on the missile's trajectory, the payload separates from the missile and deploys a parachute to permit splashdown and water entry at a low speed and with minimum detectable noise. Water entry activates the torpedo, which is guided by its own sonar system, and homes in on the target using either active sonar or passive sonar.
W44 nuclear depth charge
The W44 nuclear depth charge entered service in 1961,[9] but was never used beyond one or two tests before the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty banning underwater nuclear tests went into effect. A total of 575 weapons were produced. The W44 weighed 77 kg (170 lb) with a diameter of 35 cm (13.75 in) and length of 64 cm (25.3 in). Following payload separation, the unguided W44 sank quickly to a predetermined depth where the 10-kiloton warhead detonated. The nuclear-armed ASROC was never used in combat. W44-armed ASROC missiles were retired by 1989, when all types of nuclear depth bombs were removed from deployment.[4]
Specific installations
One of the first ASROC installations was on USS Norfolk(DL-1) in 1960. The first large group of ships to receive ASROC were 78 Gearing-class destroyers, modified under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization Mark I program (FRAM I) in the early 1960s. A Mark 112 8-tube ASROC launcher was added along with other major modifications. ASROC reloads were stowed alongside the helicopter hangar and handled by a small crane.[7][10]
The 31 U.S. Navy Spruance-class destroyers were all built with the Mark 16 Mod 7 ASROC Launching Group and MK 4 ASROC Weapons Handling System (AWHS) reload system. These had one standard Mark 112 octuple ASROC launcher, located immediately above a reload system holding an additional 16 assembled rounds (two complete reloads of eight missiles apiece). Thus, each Spruance-class destroyer originally carried a maximum total of 24 ASROC.[11]
Most other US Navy and allied navy destroyers, destroyer escorts, frigates, and several different classes of cruisers only carried the one ASROC "matchbox" MK 112 launcher with eight ASROC missiles (although later in service, some of those missiles could be replaced by the Harpoon anti-ship missile). The "matchbox" Mk 112 launchers were capable of carrying a mixture of the two types. Reloads were carried in many classes, either on first level of the superstructure immediately abaft the launcher, or in a separate deckhouse just forward or abaft the Mk 112.
The MK 16 Launching Group also had configurations that supported RGM-84 Harpoon (onboard Knox-class destroyer escorts (frigates)) or a variation of the Tartar missile in limited distribution.
Ships with the Mk 26 GMLS, and late marks of the Mk 10 GMLS aboard the Belknap-class cruisers, could accommodate ASROC in these power-loaded launchers (the Mk 13 GMLS was not able to fire the weapon, as the launcher rail was too short).
Most Spruance-class destroyers were later modified to include the Mk 41 VLS, these launchers are capable of carrying a mixture of the RUM-139 VL-ASROC, the Tomahawk TLAM, and other missiles. All of the Spruance destroyers carried two separate quad Harpoon launchers. Other US ships with the Mk 41 can also accommodate VL-ASROC.
^ abFriedman, Norman (2004). US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised ed.). Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 280–287. ISBN1-55750-442-3.
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asroc, asroc, redirects, here, vertical, launch, variant, asroc, anti, submarine, rocket, weather, conditions, anti, submarine, missile, system, developed, united, states, navy, 1950s, deployed, 1960s, updated, 1990s, eventually, installed, over, surface, ship. ASROC redirects here For the vertical launch variant see RUM 139 VL ASROC The RUR 5 ASROC for Anti Submarine Rocket is an all weather all sea conditions anti submarine missile system Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s it was deployed in the 1960s updated in the 1990s and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships specifically cruisers destroyers and frigates The ASROC has been deployed on scores of warships of many other navies including Canada Germany Italy Japan the Republic of China Greece Pakistan and others 4 RUR 5 ASROCASROC Launcher on board USS Columbus 1962 TypeStandoff anti submarine ballistic missile 1 Place of originUnited StatesService historyIn service1961 2 Used byUnited States Navy and othersProduction historyDesignerNaval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena 1 HoneywellManufacturerHoneywell 2 Unit costApproximately 350 000 not including warhead SpecificationsMass1 073 pounds 487 kg 2 Length14 75 ft 4 50 m 2 Diameter16 6 inches 420 mm WarheadMark 46 torpedo 96 8 pounds 43 9 kg 2 of PBXN 103 high explosive 10 kt 42 TJ W44 nuclear warhead retired DetonationmechanismPayload specificEngineSolid propellant rocket motor 2 Wingspan26 7 8 inches 680 mm Operationalrange6 mi 9 7 km 3 Maximum speedSubsonicLaunchplatformSurface ships 1 The destroyer USS Agerholm fires an ASROC with a nuclear depth bomb in shot Dominic Swordfish 1962 ASROC Matchbox reload doors are visible in this photograph of the Japanese Asagiri class destroyer in 2008 ASROC launch from USS Charles F Adams in 1960 Contents 1 History 2 Description 2 1 W44 nuclear depth charge 3 Specific installations 4 Operators 4 1 Former operators 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditASROC started development as the Rocket Assisted Torpedo RAT program by the Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake in the early 1950s to develop a surface warship ASW weapon to counter the new post World War II submarines which ran quieter at much higher speed and could attack from much longer range with high speed homing torpedoes In addition the goal was to take advantage of modern sonars with a much larger detection range An extended range torpedo delivered by parachute from the air would allow warships the stand off capability to attack hostile submarines with very little advance notice to the hostile submarine The RAT program came in three phases 5 RAT A RAT B and RAT C RAT A and its follow on RAT B were compact and economical stand off weapons for smaller warships but were determined to be either unreliable or had too short a range RAT C was developed as a stand off ASW weapon that used a nuclear depth charge This required a range of at least 8 000 yards 7 300 m to escape potential damage from the underwater blast The RAT C was considerably larger than the previous RAT program rockets to accommodate the extended range needed and was for larger warships After the failure of both the RAT A and RAT B programs RAT C was redesigned to use not only a nuclear depth charge but also a homing ASW torpedo To obtain the accuracy needed the RAT C rocket launcher had to be redesigned with larger side fins This program finally combined reliability and accuracy along with the required stand off range Before RAT C reached operational status in 1960 aboard the large US Navy destroyer leader USS Norfolk its name was changed to ASROC 6 7 ASROC was deployed in 1961 and eventually made the majority of USN surface combatants nuclear capable Description EditThe first ASROC system using the MK 112 Matchbox launcher was developed in the 1950s and installed in the 1960s This system was phased out in the 1990s and replaced with the RUM 139 Vertical Launch ASROC or VLA 4 After a surface ship patrol plane or anti submarine helicopter detects an enemy submarine by using sonar or other sensors it could relay the sub s position to an ASROC equipped ship for attack The attacking ship would then fire an ASROC missile carrying an acoustic homing torpedo 8 or a W44 Nuclear Depth Bomb onto an unguided ballistic trajectory toward the target At a pre determined point on the missile s trajectory the payload separates from the missile and deploys a parachute to permit splashdown and water entry at a low speed and with minimum detectable noise Water entry activates the torpedo which is guided by its own sonar system and homes in on the target using either active sonar or passive sonar W44 nuclear depth charge Edit The W44 nuclear depth charge entered service in 1961 9 but was never used beyond one or two tests before the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty banning underwater nuclear tests went into effect A total of 575 weapons were produced The W44 weighed 77 kg 170 lb with a diameter of 35 cm 13 75 in and length of 64 cm 25 3 in Following payload separation the unguided W44 sank quickly to a predetermined depth where the 10 kiloton warhead detonated The nuclear armed ASROC was never used in combat W44 armed ASROC missiles were retired by 1989 when all types of nuclear depth bombs were removed from deployment 4 Specific installations EditOne of the first ASROC installations was on USS Norfolk DL 1 in 1960 The first large group of ships to receive ASROC were 78 Gearing class destroyers modified under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization Mark I program FRAM I in the early 1960s A Mark 112 8 tube ASROC launcher was added along with other major modifications ASROC reloads were stowed alongside the helicopter hangar and handled by a small crane 7 10 The 31 U S Navy Spruance class destroyers were all built with the Mark 16 Mod 7 ASROC Launching Group and MK 4 ASROC Weapons Handling System AWHS reload system These had one standard Mark 112 octuple ASROC launcher located immediately above a reload system holding an additional 16 assembled rounds two complete reloads of eight missiles apiece Thus each Spruance class destroyer originally carried a maximum total of 24 ASROC 11 Most other US Navy and allied navy destroyers destroyer escorts frigates and several different classes of cruisers only carried the one ASROC matchbox MK 112 launcher with eight ASROC missiles although later in service some of those missiles could be replaced by the Harpoon anti ship missile The matchbox Mk 112 launchers were capable of carrying a mixture of the two types Reloads were carried in many classes either on first level of the superstructure immediately abaft the launcher or in a separate deckhouse just forward or abaft the Mk 112 The MK 16 Launching Group also had configurations that supported RGM 84 Harpoon onboard Knox class destroyer escorts frigates or a variation of the Tartar missile in limited distribution Ships with the Mk 26 GMLS and late marks of the Mk 10 GMLS aboard the Belknap class cruisers could accommodate ASROC in these power loaded launchers the Mk 13 GMLS was not able to fire the weapon as the launcher rail was too short Most Spruance class destroyers were later modified to include the Mk 41 VLS these launchers are capable of carrying a mixture of the RUM 139 VL ASROC the Tomahawk TLAM and other missiles All of the Spruance destroyers carried two separate quad Harpoon launchers Other US ships with the Mk 41 can also accommodate VL ASROC Operators Edit Map with former RUR 5 operators in red Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Republic of China Navy Former operators Edit Brazilian Navy Royal Canadian Navy only on Restigouche class destroyers after IRE DELEX modification German Navy only on Lutjens class destroyers Hellenic Navy Italian Navy only on Vittorio Veneto using a Mk 10 GMLS launcher depot for 40 missiles between RIM 2 Terrier RIM 67A SM 1ER and ASROC Mexican Navy Republic of Korea Navy Pakistan Navy Spanish Navy Royal Thai Navy Turkish Navy United States Navy and United States Coast Guard same configurations as US Navy were also deployed on some United States Coast Guard 378 115 m High Endurance Hamilton class cutters during the 1970s and early 1980s See also EditIkara Hong Sang Eo Malafon MILAS RUM 139 VL ASROC Sea Lance SUBROC Terasca List of nuclear weapons Nuclear weapon design SUW N 1References Edit a b c Jolie E W 15 September 1978 A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development ASROC Missile Maritime Retrieved 21 June 2013 a b c d e f Thomas Vincent C The Almanac of Seapower 1987 Navy League of the United States 1987 ISBN 0 9610724 8 2 pp 190 91 Friedman Norman 1989 The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1988 1989 Annapolis MD USA United States Naval Institute Press p 414 ISBN 0 87021 793 3 a b c Friedman Norman May 1997 The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1997 1998 Annapolis MD USA United States Naval Institute Press p 668 ISBN 1 55750 268 4 Navy Homing Torpedoes Fights Subs Popular Mechanics April 1958 p 108 Bill Gunston Rocket amp Missiles Salamander Books Ltd 1979 ISSB 0 517 26870 1 a b Friedman Norman 2004 US Destroyers An Illustrated Design History Revised ed Annapolis Naval Institute Press pp 280 287 ISBN 1 55750 442 3 Asroc in The New Encyclopaedia Britannica Chicago Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc 15th edn 1992 Vol 1 p 639 Polmar Norman 1983 Tactical Nuclear Weapons Proceedings United States Naval Institute 109 7 125 Special Feature FRAM at NavSource org Friedman 2004 p 482External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to ASROC https fas org man dod 101 sys missile vla htm http www gyrodynehelicopters com asroc htm http designation systems net dusrm r 5 html DiGiulian Tony Navweaps com ASROC page Allbombs html list of all US nuclear warheads at nuclearweaponarchive org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title RUR 5 ASROC amp oldid 1116669871, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
