The future of the air-launched sea mine may soon be revitalised with Marconi Systems and Celsius Pacific unveiling, at the show, new generation weapons capable of deployment at high subsonic and possibly supersonic speeds.
The new weapons, both at the development stage, are being pitched at a Royal Australian Navy and RAAF requirement for advanced maritime mine systems known as Project 2045.
The Marconi Systems weapon, designated Stonefish III, is based on the family of sea mines but with improved target detection sensors and warhead. A basic air-drop variant features Marconi Dynamics-designed nose and tail kit also with an aircraft weapons station interface.
A stand-off variant uses a US developed parafoil system to provide a range of more than 30 km after dropping from the aircraft. It also has a guidance kit, claimed to be capable of placing the mine within 100m of an aim point.
According to Marconi Australia officials, further development of both variants will be carried out in Australia, including final testing and aircraft certification.
The Celsius Pacific weapon, designated BGM 400, is an evolution of the South African developed Northbend Matrix M3S mine from the 1980s.
The basic air-launched BGM 400 has a strap-on nose and tail kit with a tail parachute for braking. Two different nose cones have been developed, according to Celsius officials, with a stub nose configuration for subsonic deployments. A needle nose variant is being developed for supersonic drops.
Celsius data suggests an all-up weight of 400-750 kg depending on warhead size.
Celsius and Northbend are exploring a stand-off BGM 400 variant based on the US-developed Longshot folding-wing kit. This will give the mine an air-launched range of 70-80 km, says Celsius.
The Australian requirement calls for air-launched mines to be deployed by Lockheed MartinAP-3C maritime patrol and Grumman F-111 strike aircraft. Selection is expected this year.
Source: Flight International
