How quickly could the Royal Navy make use of ASROC if missiles compatible with Sylver or Mark 41 launchers became available?
Short answerASROC could supplement helicopter searches with additional weapons, but no adoption timetable is given. Its use would have to be weighed against other demands on vertical-launch cells.
NotesA helicopter can maintain sonar contact and cue a ship-launched torpedo without spending its own limited weapons, or call for additional weapons after exhausting its load. ASROC would therefore supplement the helicopter's magazine. A rapidly delivered missile-borne torpedo could also support an attack once the helicopter had established a firm contact. One objection is the need to devote a vertical-launch cell to the weapon. Gun-launched depth-charge rounds and drones carrying torpedoes offer alternative delivery methods. A proposed arrangement combines helicopters with drones carrying dipping sonar and sonobuoys, while the ship uses its towed array to coordinate the wider search. No timetable is given for introducing ASROC into Royal Navy service.