RIM-162D ESSM Block 1/RIM-7P

[Northstar98]

Hi everyone,

As currently depicted, CVNs 71-75 of the supercarrier module represent ships ranging from the mid-to-late 2000s to the early-to-mid 2010s at the earliest, due to the presence of Mk 15 Phalanx Block 1B (i.e. w/ Phalanx Thermal Imager, optimised gun barrels, redesigned barrel clamp).

See the spoiler below for a breakdown of the 5 ships, with links to sources.

Spoiler

• For the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Phalanx Block 1B first appears in 2013
• For the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Phalanx Block 1B first appears in 2017
• For the USS George Washington (CVN 73), Phalanx Block 1B first appears in 2008
• For the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Phalanx Block 1B first appears in 2015
• For the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Phalanx Block 1B first appears in 2012

This means that instead of RIM-7M, they should have the RIM-162D ESSM Block 1 (which according to this, was first delivered to the US Navy circa 2002 and has been in full operational capability since 2004). The earliest image I can find of a RIM-162D being launched from a Mk 29 aboard a CVN 68-class is mid 2010.

Alternatively, the RIM-7P would also be accurate for the timeframe (which might be suitable for the USS George Washington, as it's the earliest vessel depicted - see above).

Incidentally, these ships should also be firing the RIM-116B RAM Block 1, not the RIM-116A RAM Block 0. In DCS though the RIM-116A behaves like a RIM-116B (i.e. IRH from launch mode available) so a rename would suffice.

[Silver_Dragon]

I update the ship overview CV-70/-75 systems and weapons:

My data about RIM-162, all ESSM missing the antiship attack mode:
Country/ Name / Guidance/Gen / Air Range (nmi) / ATA Rating / Surface Range (nmi) / Damage / Pen (cm) / Envelope/Flight Path / Speed (kts) / Signature / IOC // Remarks
USA / RIM-162 / ESSM / SARH/3 / 0.5 - 18 / 3.5 / 0.5 - 18 / 25+D6/2 / 3 / VLow - Med / 2250 / VSm / 2004 / X
USA / RIM-162 / ESSM Blk I / SARH/3 / 0.5 - 18 / 3.5 / 0.5 - 18 / 25+D6/2 / 3 / VLow - Med / 2250 / VSm / - / X
USA / RIM-162 / ESSM Blk II / SARH/TARH/4 / 0 - 27 / 4.0 / ? - 27 / 25+D6/2 / 3 / VLow - Hi / 2250 / VSm / 2020 / X

Remarks Key:
X: “ESSM” stands for “Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile.”

Edited July 12, 2024 by Silver_Dragon