UK casts doubt on Harpoon future beyond 2018

[Abingdonboy]

In terms of procurement or the upgrades?

In terms of upgrades.

 

[SQ8]

In terms of upgrades.

Not possible, one may look at bypassing certain guidance components via dual usage of the test equipment(ala the laughable rumours a few years ago that the PN Harpoons were being changed around to be used as cruise missiles) but it is not easy at all to upgrade digital systems. It took the Iranians quite a while to upgrade and replicate the Hawk SAM. The harpoon is more complex tha that. Plus, there is no need to upgrade the system when there is a much more potent option in the C-802/3 series.

 

[Talha Mateen]

Doubtful, if they were able to be upgraded they would be in their current nations- they are coming to the end of their shelf lives, what makes you think Pakistan could pull off some miracle no other nation in the would could?

They are useless for everyone and Pakistan can make use of it with US help and support which US might use against IRAN and Pakistan can use against India.

 

[sancho]

Possibly the US's LRASM whenever the USG clears this for export sales ? Perhaps the naval SCALP that has on the table?

CVS401 Perseus will be the best choice in the long term, short term replacements could be Marte-ER, or NSM, especially if they go for it with the F35 should be the best alternatives.

 

[Penguin]

If that's what the RN is saying then I'd be inclined to agree with them. To be honest I don't have a clue about the Harpoon's shelf life.

Rated minimum shelf life is 10 years.
The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems - Norman Friedman - Google Boeken

With periodic inspection and maintenance, the Harpoon's shelf life is seen as indefinite, and no thought is being given to a replacement.
[2.0] Western Antiship Missiles (2)

Possibly the US's LRASM whenever the USG clears this for export sales ? Perhaps the naval SCALP that has on the table?
@Penguin @sancho thoughts?

Royal Navy - Royal Navy Missiles - Trident - Tomahawk - Harpoon - Sea Wolf - Sea Skua - Sea Dart - Harpoon - Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon - Other Missiles - n6a1 - Armed Forces

FUTURE ANTI-SURFACE GUIDED WEAPON (LIGHT) - (FASGW(L)) This requirement is to be met with a Thales Lightweight Multi-Role Missile System (LMM), a derivative of the Starstreak missile. LMM will be used to attack smaller surface targets at sea and unprotected targets on land.

In 2011 Thales received a production contract for 1,000 LMM that provided for final testing and qualification and integration of the LMM on helicopter platforms. The LMM includes beam riding or semi-active laser guidance where the missile homes in on reflected energy with differing warhead options.

The LMM is believed to have a weight of under 14 kg and a range of up to 9,000 m (about 5.5 miles). The main LMM investment decision is expected in 2014 after which series production could start. We would expect the Wildcat maritime attack helicopter would initially be armed with LMM, and in the longer term the Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

FUTURE ANTI-SURFACE GUIDED WEAPON (HEAVY) - (FASGW(H))

MBDA is leading the Assessment Phase for the FASGW(H)) requirement and it is likely that the design will include a system that incorporates a new 100 kg modular, infrared-guided weapon system derived from the Sea Skua. FASGW (H) is expected to be available from around 2013.

There is a chance that FASGW(H)) could be part of a cooperative development signed by the governments of France and the UK, both governments having a similar requirement. The French are believed to requirement for an FASGW(H)) type system for their Panther and NH90 helicopters.

The MoD has spent about £1.7 million (end of 2012) on the FASGW(H)) assessment and the in-service date has yet to be finalised. Our estimate is that an in-service date of 2016-2017 would not be unrealistic.

 

[Penguin]

In addition, a 2012 graphic in a Royal Navy presentation which provided some insight into what programs are included in the famous 10-year Budget Plan, includes an important voice of expenditure detailed as “GWS60 Harpoon sustainment program”, meaning an upgrade and life-extension for the missile currently in service. There is no detail (yet) about the extent of the upgrade, nor an indication of the extent of the life-extension the missile is going to get, but I believe it is fair to assume that the aim of the Sustainment Program would be to delay the OSD for Harpoon all the way to 20230 – 2036.
The 2036 date is not casual: on the current planning assumptions, 2036 is the year in which the last of the Type 23 frigates, armed with Harpoon, leaves active service.
The graphic, which is the only information we have at the moment, does not provide precise numbers on the amount of money that will be devoted to the various programs, but provides a visual indication of when the most of the expenditure is planned, and that is between the 5th and 9th year of the 10-year budget. Since the budget covers the period 2011/2012 to 2021/2022, the Harpoon sustainment program should be in full swing in the second half of the current decade.

...
Adopting the MK41 Strike Lenght VLS used by the US Navy, instead, opens the door to the possible integration in the Type 26 combat system of a huge variety of weapons, including the full range of surface to air missiles employed by the Americans, plus Tomahawk, ASROC and, in a not distant future, the new LRASM anti-ship and strike missile.

UK Armed Forces Commentary: Arming the Royal Navy of the future

It really depends on choice of VLS...