Difference between revisions of "GWS.52 Pelican"

Revision as of 15:09, 30 July 2006

Profile (n/a)
Pelican
Design details (GWS.52-2)
Function	Air-to-surface or surface-to-surface missile
Manufacturer	Lyme and Martens Industries
Design No.	LMR-28
DPA No.	GWS.52
Unit cost	$1.38 million (AGM) $1.4 million (LC)
Service dates	2003-present
General characteristics
Length	8 m (AGM) 8.9 m (LC)
Diameter	60 cm (core) 65 cm (LC)
Finspan	75 cm
Wingspan	196 cm
Launch mass	2500 kg (AGM) 3000 kg (LC)
Flight characteristics
Propulsion	RBS.52 solid rocket booster ATR-15 turbo-ramjet
Flight control	Tail control fins, thrust vectoring
Speed	Mach >3.22 max.
Manoeuvrability	>12g
Range	570 km (AGM) 325 km (LC)
Ceiling	15 km
Guidance and payload
Guidance	Midcourse: GPS/INS, AOSAM, command uplink Terminal: Dual-mode radar with IIR and automatic target recognition
Warhead	BROACH APHE (300 kg)
Fuzes	Timed penetrator, contact
Launch platforms
Ship	GWLS.35M2, GWLS.39, GWLS.58
Land	L13/52
Operators
UKIN

The GWS.52 Pelican was developed by Lyme and Martens Industries to replace the GWS.39-3 "Jewel" (Yakhont-3) in domestic service.

The "Pelican," like the Pigeon is really a one-way drone with many advanced features allowing it to evade most missile defences as it approaches its targets. Like its siblings the Rook and the Tern, the "Pelican" possesses an effective autonomous operation situational awareness module (AOSAM) permitting the missile to alter its flight characteristics and use its minute radar cross-section and small infrared signature as well as active electronic countermeasures (ECM) to counter enemy threats as well as to respond to enemy countermeasures (ECCM), thus giving the "Pelican" a greater probability of successful strikes.

Like the GWS.39-3, the GWS.52 can work individually but is even deadlier in flocks. With its Link 17.2G secure data link, the lead "Pelican" operating at altitude can communicate with the other missiles in the flock to assign and prosecute targets ensuring a wider range of strikes against enemy ships. With this data link connection, the "Pelican" can receive targetting information from dedicated reconnaissance satellites, aerial vehicles providing over-the-horizon guidance, or from the firing vehicle. With this information, the GWS.52 can prosecute an enemy from various angles, regulating its thrust to ensure either a staggered or unique arrival time in the target zone. Furthermore, the data link permits attacks to be performed in conjunction with other combat drones, such as the "Puffin" or the "Rook," to minimise probability of intercept. For instance, the "Puffin" or "Rook" can use its search radar to illuminate the enemy fleet allowing the entire flock of "Pelicans" to remain below the enemy radar. Also, "Pelicans" and "Pigeons" can engage in a combined assault against a hostile fleet: the "Pigeons" eliminate the enemy's air defences while the "Pelicans" advance towards their targets.

Adding to the small EM signature of the "Pelican" is its ability to use either its small low-probability of intercept (LPI) radar or imaging infra-red sensors to home in on a specific target without revealing its presence.

When air launched from high altitude (10-15 km), the "Pelican" may initially proceed to target at 10-12 km altitude until its radar warning receivers begin detecting hostile emissions. The "Pelican" then descends to between 20 m and 5 m, or lower if sea states permit, and accelerates towards its targets. From about 50 km away, one missile (if in a flock) ascends to acquire targets and transmits this data to the other missiles as it descends. This hi-lo profile and the "Pelican's" supercruise turbo-ramjet engine allows a maximum range of 560 km. When either air launched from low altitude, or surface or submarine launched, the "Pelican" may opt for a lo-hi-lo attack profile, allowing attacks from as far away as 325 km. The "Pelican" may also perform a direct lo-lo assault. Using supercruise, the GWS.52 can prosecute targets from over 240 km distant, while operating at full speed (Mach 3+) the "Pelican" can travel up to 175 km to its prey.

All in all, the GWS.52 offers a great advance in the field of modern naval superiority.

GWS.52-1

Function: supersonic cruise anti-ship missile
Launch Angle: vertical to fifteen degrees from the horizontal, with 360 degree initial acquisition capability
Dimensions:
Length (surface launched version): 8.9m
Diameter: 0.65m (in launch capsule), 0.75m (fins deployed)
Wingspan: 1.96m (deployed)
Mass:
Air launched version: 2500kg (2.5t)
Surface launched version: (launch weight) 3000 kg (3t), (in launch canister) 3800 kg (3.8t)
Warhead: 250 kg APHE
Range (dependent on launch and attack profile):
Air launched, hi-lo attack: 570 km (max.)
Air, surface, or submarine launched, lo-hi-lo profile: 325 km (max.)
Surface or submarine launched, supercruise with full speed terminal (50+ km), lo-lo profile: 260 km (max.)
Surface or submarine launched, full speed, lo-lo profile: 175 km (max.)
Propulsion: turbo-ramjet
Ceiling: 15 km; attack altitude 10-5 m and lower (depending on sea states)
Speed: 1.65 Mach (supercruise); 3.22+ Mach (terminal)
Cost: $1.225 million

GWS.52-2

Function: supersonic cruise anti-ship missile
Service designation:
Air: AGM.52B
Ground: FGM.52B
Surface: MGM.52B
Sub-surface: UGM.52B
Dimensions:
Length: 8m (AGM.52B), 8.9m (LC)
Diameter: 0.65m (LC), 0.75m (AGM.52B; LC, fins deployed)
Wingspan: 1.96m (deployed)
Mass:
AGM: 2500kg (2.5t)
MGM, UGM: (launch weight) 3000 kg (3t), (LC) 3800 kg (3.8t)
Warhead: 300 kg APHE
Propulsion: turbo-ramjet
Guidance:
Initial and midcourse: command datalink, AOSAM, and INS/GPS
Search: LPI dual-mode radar with SAR, IIR, ATR
Countermeasures: Radar warning receiver system, laser warning receiver system, IFF
Launch Angle: vertical to fifteen degrees from the horizontal, with 360 degree initial acquisition capability
Range (dependent on launch and attack profile):
Air launched, hi-lo attack: 570 km (max.)
Air, surface, or submarine launched, lo-hi-lo profile: 325 km (max.)
Surface or submarine launched, supercruise with full speed terminal (50+ km), lo-lo profile: 275 km (max.)
Surface or submarine launched, full speed, lo-lo profile: 180 km (max.)
Ceiling: 15 km; attack altitude 10-5 m and lower (depending on sea states)
Speed: 1.65 Mach (supercruise); 3.22+ Mach (terminal)
Cost: (AGM): $1.38 million; (LC): $1.4 million

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