Germany to Build Uncrewed Missile-Toting Arsenal Ships for Its Frigates
a day ago
- #uncrewed-vessels
- #naval-modernization
- #arsenal-ships
- Germany plans to introduce Large Remote Missile Vessels (LRMV) as uncrewed arsenal ships to support its F127 frigates.
- The LRMVs will act as floating missile platforms, enhancing the firepower of the German Navy, especially for air defense and maritime strike missions.
- The LRMVs are expected to be around 260 feet long, roughly corvette-sized, but exact dimensions and displacement are yet to be finalized.
- These vessels will likely be equipped with vertical launch systems (VLS) for missiles like SM-2, ESSM, SM-6, and potentially Tomahawk cruise missiles.
- The German Navy also plans to acquire 18 smaller uncrewed surface vessels (FCSS) and at least 12 Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (LUUV) to support its fleet.
- The LRMVs will rely on other platforms for target detection and missile launch commands, reducing the need for expensive onboard sensors.
- The concept of LRMVs parallels similar developments in the Royal Netherlands Navy, which is also introducing support vessels with containerized weapons.
- The LRMV program reflects a broader trend toward uncrewed or minimally crewed arsenal ships to address modern naval warfare challenges, such as missile and drone swarms.
- Command, control, and networking will be critical for the success of uncrewed vessels like the LRMV, especially in contested environments.
- The German Navy's focus on uncrewed operations aims to provide cost-effective solutions while addressing the limitations of conventional warships.