Air Defense: March 24, 2002

Archives

: Australia is studying how to integrate the American SM-2 anti-aircraft missile into their FFG-7 frigates. The original plan was to upgrade the FFG-7s and to buy the four Kidd-class destroyers, but both plans were cancelled for financial reasons. Studies to integrate the SM-2 onto the FFG-7s have focused on three elements:

1. The Mk-13 single-arm launcher will be replaced by a Mark-26 two-rail launcher.

2. The SM-2 (Block IIIA) missiles will have to be modified as they are designed for vertical, not rail, launch.

3. The fire control system must be upgraded to include the Mk-14 weapon direction system.--Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close