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'''Sea Lance''' was authorised in [[1980]] as a successor to both the [[Subroc|UUM-44 Subroc]] and [[ASROC|RUR-5 ASROC]] anti-submarine missiles.
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = UUM-125 Sea Lance
| image = Uum-125a.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Artist concept
| origin = United States
| type = Standoff Anti-Submarine
| used_by = [[United States Navy]]
| manufacturer = [[Boeing]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date = Cancelled, 1990
| service =
⚫
| engine = Hercules EX 116 MOD 0 [[solid-fuel rocket]]
| weight = 1,400 kg (3,086 [[pound (mass)|pounds]])
| length = {{convert|6.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height =
| diameter = {{convert|53.3|cm|in|abbr=on}} (capsule diameter)
| wingspan =
| speed = [[mach number|Mach]] 1.5
| vehicle_range = '''UUM-125A'''<br />{{convert|185|km|nmi|abbr=off}}<br />'''UUM-125B'''<br />{{convert|65|km|nmi|abbr=off}}
| ceiling =
| altitude =
| filling =
| guidance = Mk 117 digital fire-control system
| detonation = '''RUM/UUM-125A'''<br />[[W89]] [[Thermonuclear weapon|thermonuclear]]<br />'''RUM/UUM-125B'''<br />[[Mark 50 torpedo|Mark 50]] [[Torpedo#Homing|homing torpedo]]
| launch_platform = '''Submarines'''<br />[[Los Angeles-class submarine|• ''Los Angeles'' class]]<br />• [[Seawolf-class submarine|''Seawolf'' class]]<br />'''Surface Warships'''<br />• [[Ticonderoga-class cruiser|''Ticonderoga'' class]]<br />• [[Spruance-class destroyer|''Spruance'' class]]<br />• [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke'' class]]
}}
[[File:Capsule for UUM-125 Sea Lance.jpg|thumb|right|Sea Lance in-service capsule]]


The '''UUM-125 Sea Lance''', known early in development as the ''Common ASW Standoff Weapon'', was to be an American [[Standoff missile|standoff]] [[anti-submarine missile]], initially intended to carry a [[W89]] [[Thermonuclear weapon|thermonuclear warhead]]. It was conceived in 1980 as a successor to both the [[UUM-44 SUBROC]] and [[RUR-5 ASROC]] anti-submarine missiles. The Sea Lance was to be available in two versions, known as UUM-125A and RUM-125A. The former would be a [[Submarine-launched missile|submarine-launched]] version, the latter surface-launched. It was cancelled in 1990 as its importance was obviated by the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapse of the Soviet Union]].
==Overview==


==Design and development==
Sea lance was to be available in two versions, known as UUM-125A and RUM-125A. The former would be a [[submarine]] launched version, the latter surface launched. In [[1982]] [[Boeing]] was awarded the main contract to develop the system, now named Sea Lance.
⚫
In 1982, [[Boeing]] was awarded the main contract to develop the system, named the Sea Lance. By the following year, it had become apparent that developing two different versions of the missile was too ambitious, and further development of the RUM-125 was suspended. The RUM-139, a vertical-launch model of the ASROC, was developed as a stopgap weapon in this role.


⚫
The Sea Lance was to be housed inside a watertight capsule which could be launched from an ordinary 21&nbsp;inch [[torpedo]] tube. The Mk 117 digital [[fire-control system]] provided targeting information to the missile prior to launch. After being fired, the capsule would float to the surface where the rocket would ignite and its fins would deploy. An [[Inertial navigation system|inertial guidance]] system would direct the missile to the general location of the target. Initial plans were to have the surface-launched version operate in a similar manner: launched from the [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mk 41]] [[vertical launching system]]. When the missile reached the intended area, the payload would separate from the missile, then deploy a parachute to decelerate the warhead or torpedo. Both missiles were initially planned to carry a [[depth charge]] with a 200 [[TNT equivalent|kiloton]] [[W89]] [[Thermonuclear weapon|thermonuclear]] [[warhead]]. Such a yield would have given the missile a lethal radius against submarines of around {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=out}}. This massive warhead, combined with the fact that the target would be unable to detect the missile until the payload hit the water, made it virtually impossible for a target to escape.
⚫
By the following year it had become obvious that developing two different versions of the missile was too ambitious, and further development of the RUM-125 was suspended. RUM-139, a vertical launch model of the Asroc, was developed as a stopgap weapon in this role.


⚫
In the mid-1980s, a conventional variant of this missile was proposed which would carry the new [[Mark 50 torpedo]] submarine-seeking weapon. This version was dubbed the UUM-125B.
⚫
Sea Lance was to be housed inside a watertight capsule which could be launched from an ordinary 53.3 cm (21 in) [[torpedo]] tube. The Mk 117 digital [[Fire-control system|firecontrol system]] provided targeting information to the missile prior to launch. After being fired the capsule would float to the surface where the rocket would ignite and fins would flip out. An [[inertial guidance]] system would direct the missile to the location of the target. Initial plans were to have the surface launched version operate in a similar manner, being launched from a MK 41 [[Vertical Launching System]]. When the missile reached the desired point the payload would separate from the missile and deploy a parachute to decelerate the payload. Both missiles were planned to carry a depth charge with a 200 [[kiloton]] W-89 [[thermonuclear]] warhead. Such a yield would have given the missile a lethal radius of around 10 kilometres. This, combined with the fact that the target would be unable to detect the missile until the payload hit the water, made it virtually impossible for a target to escape.


⚫
A contract for the full-scale development of the Sea Lance was awarded in 1986. In 1988, it was decided to proceed again with the surface-launched RUM-125 version. The nuclear warhead was canceled in favor of a purely conventional missile.
⚫
In the mid 1980s a conventional variant of the missile was proposed which would carry the new [[Mark 50 torpedo]]. The limitations in performance of this weapon combined with the limited accuracy of the missile meant that the conventional Sea Lance would only be effective out to ranges of approximately 65 km. This version was dubbed the UUM-125B.
In 1990, the entire program was canceled as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[attack submarine]]s do not have any long-range supersonic stand-off anti-submarine weapon, while U.S. Navy surface warships do have the new, vertical-launch version of the ASROC.


==Gallery==
⚫
A contract for full scale development was awarded in [[1986]]. In [[1988]] it was decided to proceed again with the surface-launched RUM-125 version. The nuclear warhead was also put on hold in favour of a purely conventional missile.


{{Gallery
In [[1990]] the entire program was cancelled for budget reasons. Although some effort was made to revive the project, this was unsuccessful. Today [[U.S. Navy]] [[attack submarine]]s continue to lack any long-range stand-off weapon.
| title = UUM-125 Sea Lance
| align =
| footer =
| style =
| state =
| height =
| width =
| captionstyle =
| File:Capsule for UUM-125 Sea Lance.jpg
| Sea Lance in-service capsule
| alt1=
| File:W89 NDB.png
| Depth bomb shell. The W89 warhead would be fitted to this device.
| alt2=
| File:
| Write a caption here
| alt3=
| File:
| Write a caption here
| alt4=
| File:
| Write a caption here
| alt5=
}}


==Specifications==
==See also==
* {{lwc|RUM-139 VL-ASROC}}
* {{lwc|RUR-5 ASROC}}
* {{lwc|UGM-89 Perseus}}
* {{lwc|UUM-44 SUBROC}}
* {{lwc|RPK-2 Vyuga}}
* {{lwc|Ikara (missile)}}


==Suggested Reading==
*''Length :'' 6.25 m (20 feet 6 inches)
* {{cite book| last = Polmar| first = Norman| title = The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet | edition = 15th | year = 1993| publisher = [[Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]]| location = [[Annapolis, Maryland | Annapolis, MD]] |isbn= 1-55750675-2}}
*''Diameter :'' 53.3 cm (21 inches) (capsule diameter)
*''Weight :'' 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)
*''Speed :'' Mach 1.5
*''Range :'' (UUM-125A) 185 km (100 nm) - (UUM-125B) 65 km (35 nm)
⚫
*''Propulsion :'' Hercules EX 116 MOD 0 solid-fuel rocket
*''Warhead :'' (UUM-125A) W-89 thermonuclear - (UUM-125B) Mark 50 torpedo


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-125.html Directory of US Military missiles]
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-125.html Directory of US Military missiles]
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/sea_lance.htm Global Security]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/sea_lance.htm Global Security]


{{US missiles}}
[[de:Sea Lance]]

[[Category:Cold War anti-submarine weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:Anti-submarine missiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Ballistic missiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Abandoned military rocket and missile projects of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 13:13, 28 September 2024

UUM-125 Sea Lance
Artist concept
TypeStandoff Anti-Submarine
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States Navy
Production history
ManufacturerBoeing
ProducedCancelled, 1990
Specifications
Mass1,400 kg (3,086 pounds)
Length6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
Diameter53.3 cm (21.0 in) (capsule diameter)
Detonation
mechanism
RUM/UUM-125A
W89 thermonuclear
RUM/UUM-125B
Mark 50 homing torpedo
EngineHercules EX 116 MOD 0 solid-fuel rocket
Operational
range
UUM-125A
185 kilometres (100 nautical miles)
UUM-125B
65 kilometres (35 nautical miles)
Maximum speed Mach 1.5
Guidance
system
Mk 117 digital fire-control system
Launch
platform
Submarines
• Los Angeles class
• Seawolf class
Surface Warships
• Ticonderoga class
• Spruance class
• Arleigh Burke class
Sea Lance in-service capsule

The UUM-125 Sea Lance, known early in development as the Common ASW Standoff Weapon, was to be an American standoff anti-submarine missile, initially intended to carry a W89 thermonuclear warhead. It was conceived in 1980 as a successor to both the UUM-44 SUBROC and RUR-5 ASROC anti-submarine missiles. The Sea Lance was to be available in two versions, known as UUM-125A and RUM-125A. The former would be a submarine-launched version, the latter surface-launched. It was cancelled in 1990 as its importance was obviated by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Design and development

[edit]

In 1982, Boeing was awarded the main contract to develop the system, named the Sea Lance. By the following year, it had become apparent that developing two different versions of the missile was too ambitious, and further development of the RUM-125 was suspended. The RUM-139, a vertical-launch model of the ASROC, was developed as a stopgap weapon in this role.

The Sea Lance was to be housed inside a watertight capsule which could be launched from an ordinary 21 inch torpedo tube. The Mk 117 digital fire-control system provided targeting information to the missile prior to launch. After being fired, the capsule would float to the surface where the rocket would ignite and its fins would deploy. An inertial guidance system would direct the missile to the general location of the target. Initial plans were to have the surface-launched version operate in a similar manner: launched from the Mk 41 vertical launching system. When the missile reached the intended area, the payload would separate from the missile, then deploy a parachute to decelerate the warhead or torpedo. Both missiles were initially planned to carry a depth charge with a 200 kiloton W89 thermonuclear warhead. Such a yield would have given the missile a lethal radius against submarines of around 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). This massive warhead, combined with the fact that the target would be unable to detect the missile until the payload hit the water, made it virtually impossible for a target to escape.

In the mid-1980s, a conventional variant of this missile was proposed which would carry the new Mark 50 torpedo submarine-seeking weapon. This version was dubbed the UUM-125B.

A contract for the full-scale development of the Sea Lance was awarded in 1986. In 1988, it was decided to proceed again with the surface-launched RUM-125 version. The nuclear warhead was canceled in favor of a purely conventional missile. In 1990, the entire program was canceled as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today the U.S. Navy attack submarines do not have any long-range supersonic stand-off anti-submarine weapon, while U.S. Navy surface warships do have the new, vertical-launch version of the ASROC.

[edit]
UUM-125 Sea Lance
  • Sea Lance in-service capsule
    Sea Lance in-service capsule
  • Depth bomb shell. The W89 warhead would be fitted to this device.
    Depth bomb shell. The W89 warhead would be fitted to this device.

See also

[edit]

Suggested Reading

[edit]
  • Polmar, Norman (1993). The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet (15th ed.). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750675-2.
[edit]
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