The Pentagon in Hawaii successfully tested the next-generation robotic anti-ship missile system NMESIS, which destroyed the decommissioned ship with a direct hit. It is assumed that such weapons will be used to protect state borders from possible maritime attack. AiF.ru understood its characteristics and perspectives.
How they experienced it
In August, the Experimental Complex was dispatched to participate in the maneuvers of the Naval Forces Large-Scale Exercise 2021. His fight & nbsp; The request was made on August 16 as part of a live fire training session called Sink at Sea Live Fire Training Exercises at Barking Sands Proving Grounds in Hawaii. An air cushion landing craft delivered an NMESIS launcher to one of the landfill beaches. In addition, this machine autonomously followed a given route and assumed a designated position. After that, the complex independently prepared for filming.
The training target was the decommissioned frigate USS Ingraham, which was located 100 nautical miles from the coast. Naval reconnaissance assets found it and transferred the designation of the target to the missile system. It launched and the NSM (Naval Strike Missile) rocket hit the target with a direct hit. After completing the firing, the NMESIS complex left the firing position and moved to the nearest airfield. There he was loaded onto a military transport plane and returned to his permanent base. The successful tests were conclusive. & Nbsp;
Description & nbsp; systems
NMESIS is a mobile launcher based on an army off-road vehicle chassis, but with unmanned control. The ROGUE Fires chassis developed by Oshkosh Defense based on the JLTV production vehicle with minor rework was chosen as the basis for such a sample. The two-axle chassis, standard engine, chassis and hood were retained. But instead of a hull with a cargo-passenger cabin, a payload platform is used – & mdash; lifting launcher for two NSM missiles.
These are medium-range subsonic missiles developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & amp; Aerospace. These ammunition & nbsp; capable of hitting surface and ground targets at a distance of approximately 200 km. The missile is 4m long and weighs over 400kg, has a combined warhead and is equipped with a target recognition system. This combination, according to the Pentagon, will make it possible to quickly organize coastal defense against enemy ships with minimal risk to military personnel.
Special frame
A set of control equipment has been developed for the ROGUE Fires chassis, including a variety of technical means of vision, computer equipment, communication systems and actuators. The chassis is able to collect as much data as possible, process it, and move independently along a given route. In addition, the machine can be controlled remotely by an operator.
The JLTV-based unmanned chassis is intended for use as a carrier of various weapons or devices. The coastal missile system is already on trial. The emergence of a multi-launch rocket system, self-propelled howitzer and other samples capable of solving a shooting mission without the direct presence of a person is expected. . It is assumed that in the future such robotic guns can be used to solve various combat missions. They can be quickly transferred to a given area and brought into firing position without endangering operators. The ROGUE Fires chassis has been tested for several years, it has constantly passed the main stages of development.
Project perspectives
After successful testing, it was announced that the development of the NMESIS/ROGUE Fires project will continue on schedule. It is reported that in the near future the prototype of the NMESIS/ROGUE Fires complex will be delivered to one of the bases, where its experimental military operation will begin. It is planned to check the equipment in the conditions of the combat unit, to identify and correct the remaining deficiencies, as well as to train new operators and technicians.
In the current configuration, the NMESIS missile system was formed and built last year, in November 2020 it was completed on the first start. Perhaps there were other tests at sea and in fire. The exact results of the tests were not disclosed, but the very fact of involving the system in large-scale exercises suggests that the first stages of the tests were successful and confirmed the characteristics of all items. of the complex. In 2022, the Pentagon plans to place an order for the production of several pre-production NMESIS complexes, which & nbsp; will be manufactured before the end of this year. In 2023, they are expected to transfer to one of the units serving in Hawaii. Apparently we are now talking about launching a full-fledged operation with duty to alert and possible deployment to designated sites. In parallel, the development of the service experience and combat use of this weapon will continue.