Canadian Sea Sparrow launch system
History
This launcher was fitted on the Canadian Iroquis class destroyers, on which it was operational from 1972 to 1989. The GMLS was designed to fire the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile, and can be considered an alternative to the Mk 25 GMLS. In comparison with the Mk 25 octuple box launcher, the Canadian launcher offered covered reloading, an protected launcher (while not in firing position) and 360 degrees coverage from a single launcher installation (due to the launchers sticking out of the sides of the ship while in firing position), which the Mk 25 could not offer due to the limited turn arc after launching on the early Sea Sparrow missiles. The Canadian installation paid for these advantages by being heavy, complex and somewhat less reliable.
The magazine had an capacity of 32 missiles, which could be fired from 2 quad launchers (one on each side) which slid out trough hatches in the side of the deckhouse. These launcher arms could turn and pivot, aiming the missiles.
The launcher was guided by a set of HSA WM-22 fire control systems.
The launcher was made obsolete with the appearance of the Mk 29 GMLS and later mods of the Sea Sparrow missiles (especially those named in the NSSM, NATO Sea Sparrow Missile, program) due to the smaller turn radius after launch of these missiles, the advantage of an launcher with full 360 degrees coverage disappeared. The lightweight Mk 29 also allowed much lighter installations of the sea sparrow missile then the Canadian or Mk 25 launchers. As far as is known, no later mods of the Sea Sparrow missile were trialled from the Canadian launchers.
The launcher might have been the same as the Raytheon R-204 missile launcher.
Used on
Affiliated systems
Part description
The part shows an basic top view and port and starboard sides of the system. Different launch positions of the missiles on the launch arms are drawn in (retracted launch arms, aimed forward, forward up, straight up, sideways up) however only with 2 of the maximum of 4 missiles loaded on the arms to not cover up detail. For additional detail and easy recognition, the missiles themselves are also oversized.
See also
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/warships1discussionboards/iroquois-as-built-armament-t2526-s10.html https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/426426490364624907/1016376831601016852/unknown.png https://quotulatiousness.ca/blog/2019/08/17/the-remarkably-worthless-sea-sparrow-missile-launchers-on-rcn-iroquois-class-destroyers/
