#SMD2021 the Mid-Range Capability will involve multirole launcher that can fire Tomahawk or SM-6. "We actually have a missile on the rail that can do offensive or defensive fires simultaneously."
Thurgood: Each Mid-Range Capability launcher can hold 4 missiles, and "It can also hold a Patriot right out of the factory, it can hold a PrSM...The Mark 41 launcher that we got from the Navy is really a versatile launcher."
https://twitter.com/masao_dahlgren/stat ... 8823657474
La primera bateria MRC se supone que llegará en 2023, el SM-6 Block IB esta en desarrollo y hasta más allá de 2025 no estara disponible. Seguramente van a equiparse con SM-6 Block IA hasta entonces.
Tambien se ha tanteado integrar el SM-3 en el MRC pero es bastante más complicado y costoso:
On why Army Mid-Range Capability can't launch an SM-3: SM-6 is "kind of a fire and forget...not as much reliance on uplink/downlink," but SM-3 depends on comms with SPY radar, would cost hundreds of millions to reengineer to launch on the road with MRC.
https://twitter.com/masao_dahlgren/stat ... 4905121797
En resumen sobre el futuro del Patriot:
Is a LTAMDS equipped composite unit, featuring IAMD-BCS, Sentinel A4, PAC-3 MSE, and the ability to plug in distributed PATRIOT, IFPC Increment 2 launchers and even the Army's Mid-Range system (SM-6) still a PATRIOT?
Brig. Gen Gibson brought up a great point. Composite units have been impractical in the past due lack of common C2 & FC network. Being on an Integrated Fire Control Network, and being able to distribute radars & launchers > 150 km away is a huge leap.
B/W LTAMDS equipped units, IFPC Inc 2 units, Mid Range units, and even THAAD (to an extent), the Army can now mix and match the combination of radars and launchers to deploy the composite units. Individual elements can be added /removed as desired. It's no longer just PATRIOT.
All of this is in the near term. IBCS has done several successful tests, is entering prod. and will enter its formal IOT&E in a matter of days/weeks. Units with IAMD-BCS, LTAMDS, and other enhancements will be fielded over the next 2 years. More by 2025.
https://twitter.com/MIL_STD/status/1433059964428431362
