The United States Navy in the Cold War Era: What ifs.

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The Assault Ballistic Rocket System (ABRS) is being proposed for installation on the Navy’s NEWPORT-class landing ships to provide fire support for amphibious assaults. The unguided rocket and launcher are adopted from the U.S. Army’s Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

nder current proposals, each LST would be fitted with two 12-rocket launch systems on the ship’s after decks. Up to 156 reloads could be provide in 12-rocket containers. Additional proposals have been made to backfit the ABRS to SPRUANCE-class destroyers and the concept of a LST conversion to a “rocket monitor,” carrying several launchers. No procurement decision has been made by the Navy.

Weight: 686lbs per rocket

Length: 12ft 11in (3.94m)

Diameter: 8.9in (227mm)

Propulsion: solid-propellant rocket

Range: 10+nm

Guidance: ballistic

Warhead: 352lbs conventional (644 M-77 grenades)