Sub-Launched SAMs

In message
,
Daniel writes
SLAM: a cluster of Blowpipe missiles around a TV camera for aiming. Went
to sea on HMS Aeneas, trialled, and failed to proceed: having to come to
periscope depth and stick a large mast up turned out to be a bad idea
when armed ASW assets were buzzing around.

It's often reported Kilo class subs have similar capabilities built
around Strellas and Iglas.

Not quite: some apparently have a gripstock and several rounds of
MANPADS stored in a pressure-tight container in the top of the fin, for
use if the sub is damaged and forced to fight it out on the surface with
ASW helos in a scenario like the ARA Santa Fe in 1982.

Not totally implausible, given the Kilo's compartmentalisation and large
reserve of buoyancy, but nobody's ever shown a credible submerged-launch
capability for said missiles. It seems to be a tale that's grown in the
telling: Larry Bond was running with it for his "Harpoon" rules in 1987
and had it in his book "Red Phoenix" a year or three later.

--
He thinks too much, such men are dangerous.

Paul J. Adam