Difference between revisions of "GWS.41 Loon"

Revision as of 02:22, 17 June 2007

Profile (n/a)
Loon
Design details (GWS.41-2)
Function	Anti-submarine missile
Manufacturer	Lyme and Martens Industries
Design No.	LMR-21
DPA 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: GPS/INS with command uplink Terminal: Dual-mode sonar
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 carries 200-350kg lightweight (i.e. 324mm) 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 500kg (497.94kg; 376.71kg without booster). With an MU 90 torpedo, the Loon can attain a range of up to 60km, 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.

GWS.41

Dimensions: Length: 5.25m (without booster), 5.7m (with booster), 6.25m (submarine launch canister); Diameter: 464mm (pre-launch), 533mm (stabilising fins, submarine launch canister); Wingspan: 1.624m (wings of launch vehicle extended)
Mass: 680.71kg (without booster), 801.94kg (with booster), 948.68kg (submarine launch canister).
Payload: EuroTorp MU90 Impact lightweight torpedo
Range: 60km
Speed: Mach 2.25 (ballistic phase); Mach 0.6-0.85 (transitional); ~50kts (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.

Service designation: Surface launch: MUM.41B; submarine launch: UUM.41B
Dimensions: Length: 5.27m (without booster), 5.72m (with booster), 6.25m (submarine launch canister); Diameter: 464mm (pre-launch); 533mm (stabilising fins, submarine launch canister); Wingspan: 1.624m (wings of launch vehicle extended)
Mass: 701.71kg (without booster), 822.94kg (with booster), 969.68kg (submarine launch canister).
Payload: Lyme and Martens Industries GWS.63A Barracuda lightweight torpedo
Range: 75km
Speed: Mach 2.25 (ballistic phase); Mach 0.6-0.85 (transitional); ~50kts (terminal velocity of pay)
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)

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