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What does "Capacity" and "Launch Interval" mean please

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 9:27 am
by friend
Gidday Gidday all,

In the MOUNTS/STORES/WEAPONS section of ship databases a launch interval is listed.

For example on the New Zealand F77 Te Kaha [ANZAC] 2017 FSU Sea Ceptor profile, one can see listed:

1xMk41 VLS [8 Cells}
Capacity 8
Launch Interval 2
32 x Sea Ceptor [CAMM(M)]

Could somebody please explain the definition and relationship between the Capacity of 8, the launch interval of 2, and the number 32 thank you?

Yours Faithfully
Seaplane Paul

RE: What does "Capacity" and "Launch Interval" mean please

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 9:34 am
by RoryAndersonCDT
Capacity is the total number of cells in the Mk41 VLS. For example, the VLS might be able to hold 8x TLAM.

The launch interval is the period in seconds between launches.

The number 32 is due to the quad packed nature of the sea ceptor, they can be backed 4x per VLS cell. 8x4 = 32.

Image

RE: What does "Capacity" and "Launch Interval" mean please

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 9:48 am
by friend
Thank you for your incredibly prompt answer Rory.

So in this example does it mean that the Te Kaha can fire:

(a) four salvos of 8 Sea Ceptors at 2 second intervals and thus fire all 32 missiles in some 6 to 8 seconds; or

(b) it fires 1 missile every 2 seconds and so will take some 64 seconds to fire all its SAMs?

New Zealand F77 Te Kaha [ANZAC] 2017 FSU Sea Ceptor
1xMk41 VLS [8 Cells}
Capacity 8
Launch Interval 2
32 x Sea Ceptor [CAMM(M)]

RE: What does "Capacity" and "Launch Interval" mean please

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 10:13 am
by RoryAndersonCDT
1 missile every 2 seconds, 64 seconds to empty all its cells under perfect ideal conditions. In reality the rate is limited by OODA, sensor cycle, crew proficiency among other factors.

Depending on the weapon there could also be datalink limitations, or illuminator limitations.