The US Marine Corps has unveiled a new experimental Long Range Fires Launcher [LRFL] that can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles from a mobile ground platform against naval targets. The launcher is mounted on a light tactical vehicle [JLTV] Oshkosh with four wheels that can be remotely controlled.
Two of these launchers were displayed at the activation ceremony of the 11th Marines’ unique “A-Battery” at Camp Pendleton, California. The photo reveals that the launcher has a single Tomahawk missile in a container that is longer than the ones used for the Norwegian NSM anti-ship cruise missiles, which have a range of up to 185 kilometers and can be carried by another variant of the Oshkosh vehicle with two launchers. Naval News reports that the LRFL is capable of launching Tomahawk missiles in the Block V version with a range of up to 1,600 km.
The US Marine Corps plans to equip a multi-battery unit with LRFL vehicles by 2030, according to the US military command. The LRFL has an advantage over the Typhon and Mk 70 systems that the US Army and Navy use to launch Tomahawk missiles, as it is smaller and easier to transport, especially by air, the US Marine Corps stated.
The Tomahawk cruise missile is a formidable weapon that can strike targets with high precision and devastating effects. It has sophisticated guidance systems that enable it to fly through complex terrain and avoid enemy detection. This makes it hard for opponents to counter or destroy the missile before it hits its target.
The missile can also carry different types of warheads, such as high-explosive, bunker-buster, and nuclear warheads. This gives it a lot of flexibility and adaptability to suit various military situations. Another factor that makes the Tomahawk missile a dangerous weapon is its long range. It can be launched from ships, submarines, and aircraft, allowing it to hit targets from hundreds of miles away. This makes it a suitable weapon for preemptive strikes and surprise attacks. When fired from the ground, the Tomahawk missile has some additional advantages over other missiles.
One of the main advantages is its range. Ground-based launchers can be placed closer to the target than ships or submarines, which means the missile has to travel a shorter distance to reach its target. This reduces the flight time of the missile and improves its accuracy, making it a very effective weapon for precision strikes. Another advantage of firing the Tomahawk missile from the ground is that it can be fired from a hidden location. Ground-based launchers can be concealed in remote or hard-to-reach areas, making them difficult for the enemy to locate and attack. This gives a significant tactical advantage, as it allows the missile to be fired without the enemy knowing its exact location. This makes it much harder for the enemy to defend against the missile, increasing its chances of success.
Firing the Tomahawk missile from the ground also gives more flexibility in choosing targets. Ground-based launchers can be relocated and adjusted quickly, allowing them to target a wide range of targets with precision and accuracy. This makes the Tomahawk missile a highly versatile weapon system that can be used in various scenarios, from conventional warfare to counter-terrorism operations. Russian Kalibr LRFL Some Western experts claim that Russia can also develop similar ground systems for cruise missiles of the Kalibr family in a few months.
The chief editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine thinks that due to the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty, the Russian defense industry has started research and development work to create appropriate weapons systems. He thinks that Russia may have even brought them to the stage of readiness for mass production. And if such systems are deployed in Europe, then we will deploy our respective medium-range weapons, he said.
