Missile What Ifs: the ASW SOW
The Anti Submarine Warfare Stand Off Weapon (ASW SOW) is intended to replace the submarine-launched SUBROC anti-submarine weapon beginning in the early 1990s. Whereas SUBROC is a nuclear-only weapon, the ASW SOW may have a nuclear and conventional capability. In the later configuration carrying the Mark 50 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo. The ASW SOW should be capable of ranges out to at least the second convergence zone (approximately 60nm) or double the range of the SUBROC.
The ASW SOW would be launched form the standard 21in (533mm) submarine torpedo tubes. The missile would be encapsulated, with the capsule shed when it reaches the surface, after which the missile travels on a ballistic trajectory to the target. Over the target, the warhead or torpedo would be released.
During the concept stage the Navy envisioned a common ASW stand-off weapon for surface ships and submarines. The technical and program difficulties proved too great, however, and the surface-launched weapon became the Vertical-Launch Anti Submarine Rocket (VLA).
Weight: approx. 2,700lbs
Length: approx. 21ft (6.4m)
Diameter: approx. 21in (533mm) encapsulated
Propulsion: solid-propellant rocket
Range: approx. 60-90nm
Guidance: ballistic then terminal acoustic homing with the Mk 50 ALWT
Warhead: Nuclear (W55 warhead) or Mk50 ALWT
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