It has now come in open that U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Dewey tested
Hyper Velocity Projectiles or HVPs.
These tests were executed during Rim of the Pacific exercise or RIMPAC last year.
During the exercise, USS Dewey had fired 20 HVPs from its 5-inch deck gun.
This is a major step forward as it will enable US Navy to conduct prompt strikes against
different types of targets.
In this video Defense Updates, analyzes why Hyper Velocity Projectiles will be a game
changer for U.S Military?
Let's get started.
RIMPAC 2018 was conducted in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai
from June 27 to Aug 2, 2018.
Anonymous sources have revealed the occurrence of the test to USNI News.
These tests were never announced officially.
Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System (HGWS) program fall inside the purview of secretive Strategic
Capabilities Office (SCO).
Viewers may note that in Jan 2018, Vincent Sabio, who was in charge of Hypervelocity
Gun Weapon System (HGWS) program had stated at the Center for Strategic and International
Studies think tank in Washington, D.C that “My program ends less than a year from now.”,
implying that tests were scheduled before the end of 2018.
The idea of HVPs is to have projectiles capable of attaining speeds of Mach 3 using traditional
propellant charges.
This is around half the speed of prototype rail guns but significantly faster than traditional
shells being currently used by U.S Navy.
The major advantage is that unlike electromagnetic rail guns which require totally new installation,
the HVPs can be fired from Mk 45 guns.
Mk 45 guns are already present in Arleigh Burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga class cruisers.
This really makes sense since the U.S Navy has 66 Arleigh Burke and 22 Ticonderoga class
warships in active service.
Apart from speed advantage, HVP rounds have a range of around 50 miles, outranging the
current shells by a massive margin.
The current traditional shells have a range of about 15 miles.
The speed makes it a good weapon against fast moving surface vessels and significantly improve
surface warfare capabilities.
This is an extremely important aspect since U.S Navy’s internal analysis has come to
a conclusion that agile missile boats could be in potential threat for large warships
like Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga cruiser class cruisers when operating in littoral water.
The guns could now also be a more potent anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapon.
Currently, the warships have Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and the Standard Missile-2
(SM-2) for anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapon.
These are very expensive and not cost effective especially when used against small drones
or incoming missiles.
Close-in systems like the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and Phalanx Close-In Weapon
System (CIWS) are designed for the last line of defense against air and missile threats
and a have limited range.
HVP equipped Mk 45 guns will be able to aid these weapons in Anti Aircraft and Anti Missile role.
At around $85,000 per round, HVP is a much cheaper option compared to any of these weapons.
In practical terms, HVP will add a lot of flexibility without having to make radical changes.
If the HVP program becomes a success, it will add significant muscle to U.S Navy surface
ships which is actually needed keeping in view the advancements being made by rivals.
The revelation of these tests comes at a time when it has been reported that China is moving
ahead with development of Hypersonic weapons.
A recent release has even shown an Electromagnetic Rail gun prototype deployed in a Chinese warship.
With massive budget allocation which is next only to the U.S, China will be one of America’s
main rival in the future apart from the traditional rival, Russia.
HVP is one part of hypersonic weapons development which includes hypersonic missile, hypersonic
glide vehicles.
The tests clearly demonstrate the American military leadership’s intent to keep the
U.S well ahead in term of high tech technology.