GWS.41 Loon
| |
| Profile (n/a) | |
| Loon | |
|---|---|
| Design details (GWS.41-2) | |
| Function | Anti-submarine missile |
| Manufacturer | Lyme and Martens Industries |
| Design No. | LMR-21 |
| GSI No. | GWS.41 |
| Unit cost | M2: $2.625 million (complete) U2: $2.635 million (complete) |
| Service dates | 2003-present |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | M2: 5.72 m U2: 6.25 m |
| Diameter | M2: 46.4 cm U2: 53.3 cm |
| Finspan | 53.3 cm (folded) |
| Wingspan | 162.4 cm (extended) |
| Launch mass | M2: 822.94 kg U2: 969.68 kg |
| Flight characteristics | |
| Propulsion | RBS.41 solid rocket booster ATG-27J turbojet sustainer |
| Flight control | Tail control fins, thrust vectoring, extending wings |
| Speed | Mach 0.85 |
| Manoeuvrability | >6g |
| Range | 75 km |
| Ceiling | 10 km |
| Guidance and payload | |
| Guidance | Midcourse:
Terminal:
|
| Warhead | GWS.63A Barracuda |
| Fuzes | Hydrostatic proximity, contact |
| Launch platforms | |
| Ship | GWLS.33, GWLS.35, GWLS.58, Mk 41 VLS |
| Operators | |
| UKIN | |
The GWS.41 Loon is an anti-submarine missile that can be launched either from surface ships or submarines. It can carry a 200-350 kg lightweight (i.e. 324 mm) torpedo to the last noted position of the target before releasing its payload.
The weight of the launch vehicle, with booster but without the torpedo, is about 500 kg (497.94 kg; 376.71 kg without booster). With an MU90 Impact torpedo, the Loon can attain a range of up to 60 km, with an initial speed (ballistic phase) of up to Mach 2.25. The launch vehicle can be continuously updated by the firing vessel while in flight. Once the booster engine has been detached, the Loon cruises to the target using a high efficiency turbojet engine at trans-sonic (high subsonic) speed. Above the target, the launch vehicle releases the payload, which then parachutes into the water and proceeds to seek its foe.
The Loon can be launched by a ship equipped with a Mark 41 VLS, or a ship or submarine able to fire a BGM-109 Tomahawk missile.
Contents
GWS.41-1
Type: Anti-submarine missile
Service designation: Surface ship: MUM.41A; Submarine: UUM.41A
Dimensions
Length: Without booster: 5.25 m; with booster: 5.7 m; submarine launch canister (SLC): 6.25 m
Diameter: Pre-launch: 464 mm; SLC: 533 mm
Finspan: Initial phase: 533 mm
Wingspan (extended): 1.624 m
Mass: MUM.41A: 801.94 kg; UUM.41A: 948.68 kg[1]
Transport/launch canister (TLC, empty)
—MME.41A1 (GWLS.33M2):
—MME.41A2 (GWLS.35M):
—MME.41A3 (GWLS.35M2):
Submarine launch canister (SLC, empty): 146.74 kg
Launch vehicle (without warhead): 497.94 kg; booster: 121.23 kg; carrier: 376.71 kg
Propulsion: 1st stage: Solid rocket booster (RBS.41A); 2nd stage: Isselmere Motor Works ATG-3J turbojet sustainer motor; terminal stage: torpedo motor
Payload: EuroTorp MU90 Impact lightweight torpedo
Range: 60 km
Speed: Mach 2.25 (ballistic phase); Mach 0.6-0.85 (transitional); ~50 kts (terminal velocity of MU 90 torpedo)
Price (without torpedo): $375,000 per unit (VL version), $385,000 (submarine launch canister)
GWS.41-2
Uses the GWS.63A Barracuda lightweight torpedo instead of the EuroTorp MU90 Impact.
Type: Anti-submarine missile
Service designation: Surface launch: MUM.41B; submarine launch: UUM.41B
Dimensions
Length: Without booster: 5.27 m; with booster: 5.72 m ; SLC: 6.25 m
Diameter: Pre-launch: 464 mm; SLC: 533 mm
Finspan: Initial phase: 533 mm
Wingspan (extended): 1.624 m
Mass: MUM.41B: 834.47 kg; UUM.41B: 981.21 kg
TLC (empty)
—MME.41A1 (GWLS.33):
—MME.41A2 (GWLS.35M):
—MME.41A3 (GWLS.35M2):
SLC (empty): 146.74 kg
Launch vehicle (without warhead): 497.94 kg; booster: 121.23 kg; carrier: 376.71 kg
- (Ex: 701.71 kg, 822.94 kg, 969.68 kg)
Payload: Lyme and Martens Industries GWS.63A Barracuda lightweight torpedo
Range: 75 km
Speed: Mach 2.25 (ballistic phase); Mach 0.6-0.85 (transitional); ~50 kts (terminal velocity of payload)
Price (without torpedo): $375,000 per unit (VL version), $385,000 (submarine launch canister)
Price (with torpedo): $2,625,000 per unit (VL version), $2,635,000 (submarine launch canister)
GWS.41-3
Launch vehicle wings reconfigured as "diamond-shaped" to improve lift. The turbofan sustainer motor is much more powerful and with a larger fuel tank for longer range. Like earlier versions of the Loon, it may be reconfigured to carry either a conventional or a nuclear depth charge. Unlike earlier versions, the heavier weight of the GWS.41M3 means it may only be fired from the GWLS.35M (MMF.35) series missile launching system.
Type: Anti-submarine missile
Service designation: Surface launch: MUM.41C; submarine launch: UUM.41C
Dimensions
Length: Booster: 0.591 m; carrier and payload, without booster: 5.534 m; launch vehicle, complete: 6.125 m; SLC: 6.25 m
Diameter: 464 mm (pre-launch); 533 mm (stabilising fins, submarine launch canister)
Wingspan (extended): 1.624 m
Mass: MUM.41C: 1096.91 kg; UUM.41C: 1289.8 kg
TLC (empty):
SLC (empty): 192.89 kg
Launch vehicle (without warhead): booster: 159.36 kg; carrier: 601.02 kg
Weapon: 937.55 kg (without booster), 1096.91 kg (with booster)
Propulsion: 1st stage: Solid rocket booster (RBS.41C); 2nd stage: turbofan sustainer motor; terminal stage: torpedo motor
Payload: Lyme and Martens Industries GWS.63A Barracuda lightweight torpedo
Range: 90+ km
Speed: Mach 2.25 (ballistic phase); Mach 0.85-0.95 (transitional); 50+ kts (terminal velocity of payload)
Price (without torpedo): $422,000 per unit (VL version), $434,000 (submarine launch canister)
Price (with torpedo): $2,672,000 per unit (VL version), $2,684,000 (submarine launch canister)
Notes
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| Barracuda | Loon | Mako | Orca | Sailfish | Trident |
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