Future Combined SAM/ATGM Systems?

[Weeble]

Whilst looking at the DSEi (Defense Systems and Equipment International) show website

http://www.dsei.co.uk/medialivenews/

when compiling a post to kikka 's "SAMs' proximity fuzes" thread (which I still managed to mess up!) I came across several examples of vehicles & systems that may be of interest to "Future" OOB/Icon designers.

See attached photos:

The Rheinmetall-Mowag 'Yak' LAV is currently in service in Afghanistan with Germany (UAV, Police, IED and ambulance versions)

Patrias IFV is expected to replace the Ratel in SA service.

The Panther CLV gets an unarmoured 7.62mm SDW turret for most, (326/401), but not all, vehicles.

And I don't think MoD will buy the active armour, 30mm autocannon and 2 x Spike missile kit off Rafael in Israel for the old FV432s.

I thought portees had died a death in North Africa circa 1942.

Yet another add-on armour kit for the over-tasked Humvee and, finally, the beast which does raise questions in terms of WinSPMBT actual game mechanics.

Thales, ex Shorts etc have put 4 Starsteak HVMs on a Pinzgauer 6 x6 chassis. Whilst other missiles can be used they are promoting it "as is" as a combined SAM/ATGM system.

As I posted in kikka 's thread Starsteak is actually a APHE KEM (Kinetic Energy Munition) that laser guides to its (airborne) target. Whilst it could only theoretically menace a MBT, many APCs are well within its capacity - at a range exceeding ToW!

Currently ATGMs such as ToW can be used against helos (as they are seen as a species of flying APC).

SAMs have (logically) never fired at Armour.

Should systems like this proliferate a combination SAM/ATGW class may be needed, though I hope not!

Personally I would reduce the ammo loadout on, say, a Stormer weapon slot1, add a second residual ammo 'cloned' Starstreak in slot2 calling it a ATGM (Class 13) giving it reasonable AP capacity and hope for the best! The M2A2 'Linebacker' seems to cope as a class 30 SP SAM with the Stinger in slot3. This should allow engagement of ground targets without a brand-new weapon class.

Thoughts and comments please!

Weeble

[Marcello]

IIRC SAMs can be fired at ground targets if they are given an HEAT value.Try to check if it works.

[Weeble]

Seems to work with SAMs given a HEAT value, but the accuracy would need to be considerably lowered in most cases. Laser guided systems shouldn't be impaired, but SAM IR and Radar seekers are optimised for aircraft signatures.

As with the AP idea the weapon would need to be a "custom" so it didn't mess up the rest of the OOB ie your Stinger teams suddenly all have a very expensive, relatively ineffective ATGW and can't shoot at aircraft! Equally with my previous Stormer example it would be left with (say)2 "Starstreak ATGM"s that it couldn't fire at aircraft.

I wasn't trying to create a new "Combined SAM/ATGM", only trying to simulate a system that has this inside game mechanics!

I chose Starstreak because it could currently be used as an ATGM given its laser-guided APHE KEM. As I said on the other thread because it doesn't have a proximity fuze it is not a "miss"ile but a "hit"ile.

Weeble