The Russians have announced the details of a new guided artillery system named Hermes. It uses a low-pressure 155mm gun to fire a (probably) rocketpowered laser-guided shell out to 6.5 nm. Designed to attack ground targets, it also was shown being used in the coastal defense role. Ile guided round would give it a good chance to hit small, high-speed targets like FACs. It uses the BMP-3 AFV chassis to carry two of the guns in a twin turret. Deployment status is unknown. Russian Yakhont SSM The 21st unit of the Sovremennyy class, due to be commissioned about the turn of the century will have a modified armament suite. The aft 130mm mount will be replaced by 10 or 12 vertical-launched Yakhent SSMs, specs as yet unknown. The SA-N-7 Gadfly has been replaced by the Yozh [SA-N-12 Grizzly], the naval version of the Buk-2M [SA-17 Grizzly], which is very similar to the Gadfly in si= and shape. Admiral Basisty is the first unit of the Russian Udaloy H class, and began sea trials this year. Typed as Project 1155.1 by the Russians, it has F(2)1 130mm/70 in place of the two single 100mms. It also substitutes PB&SB(4)2 P-80 [SS-N-22] for the SS-N-14 launchers. Instead, it can fire torpcdo-carrying versions of the SSN15s out of its 533mm TT. The four AK-630s amidships have been replaced by 2 Klinok [CADS-N-11 systems. A Band Stand radar and light Bulb FC data links have been added for the SS-N-22s. Varyag is to be scrapped by Ukraine. They cannot find a buyer. The Russians continue to insist that it belongs to them, but the Ukrainians are drcd of waiting for money. British Trafalgar class subs will receive TLAM-C, presumably Block III. The four Upholders are still on the block, with several countries nibbling. On the other hand, Spearfish is still not in service, some six years late. The US is removing the ASROC launchers from Spruances not fitted with VLS. The US Navy is also removing TASM from its ships. Later blocks of Harpoon have greatly increased range, making them unnecessary. US P-3C Orions have been cleared to fire AGM-65F Mavericks (2 per wing, four total). Belgium and The Netherlands plan to integrate operational control of their fleets. The Belgian command center will stand down, and the Dutch center will be jointly manned. About 2000, the combined Benelux fleet will have 19 FFs, one LPD, 4 underway replenishment and command ships, up to 26 MCMVs, and a number of support and survey ships. The two countries' air forces am also cooperating to some extent. France's Charlas de Gaulle has been floated out. The French continue to plan on a second unit, although the cost of a carrier represents a tremendous percentage of the total naval budget. The USAF may retire the entire F111 fleet in FY96, 3 years earlier than planned. There are five squadrons totaling 80 aircraft. All SH-60Bs and -60Fs are to be remanufactured into a single type. Beginning in 1998, SH-6OFs will get ALFS (AQS-22) sonar, MR, ESM, a new radar, and a new nav system. Fifteen aircraft are to be remanufactured annually. The B-2 is to be called "Spirit." Three Kilo mod-class subs have been ordered by the PRC. IOC is unknown, but probably before 2000. BT Back to The Naval Sitrep #1 Table of Contents Back to Naval Sitrep List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history and related articles are available at http://www.magweb.com