Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military
From: mlfisher@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: A question about Spruance-class ships
Message-ID: <13895@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 12 Feb 90 04:26:35 GMT
References: <13765@cbnews.ATT.COM>
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From: mlfisher@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu
In article <13765@cbnews.ATT.COM>, v059l49z@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu writes:
> From: v059l49z@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu
> 
> Seeing that some of the Spruance-class destroyers have the VLS system in
> place of the ASROC launcher, what missles are carried in there since I
> am of the understanding the ASROC version for VLS is still in development.
> I know they are going to carry Tomahawk, but the Sea Sparrow launcher is
> retained.  Is the VLS full of Tomahawks?

Currently we can't afford to put all Tomahawks in the Sprucans VLS.  There has
been some discussion about filling the magazine with SM-2ER and usig the
destroyer as a floating magazine for the Aegis guys.  This is probably the best
use of the VLS cells since an ASROC is pretty much a worthless weapon against
submarines anyway (small warhead, limited range, if the surface ship has to
depend upon current ship-launched weapons to defeat the submarine, the ship is
in big trouble, however using TACTASS, SURTASS and ship-borne air assets, the
battle is at least even and perhaps in the ASW guys favor).  Anyway I don't
think much of anything but a few Tomahawks are being out in the cells now.  I
could be out of date, I've been off active duty for a few years.

Mike Fisher
Fire Control Officer
Gunnery Officer
1st Lieutenant
Combat Information Center Officer         USS DEYO  DD989