Bluesun
| Bluesun Mk 3 | |
|---|---|
| File:SLBM.png | |
| Type | SLBM |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1998-2011 (mk1), 2005-present (Mk2), 2013-present (Mk3) |
| Used by | Arthurista |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Arthuristan Dynamics |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 60 tonnes |
| Length | 13.5m |
| Diameter | 2.2m |
| Blast yield | Typically 6x Red Goblin nuclear warheads (150kt each), 'up to' 40 x decoys |
| Engine | three-stage solid propellant (Marks 1 and 2), two-stage solid and third stage liquid propellant (Mark 3) |
Operational range | 8,000 to 12,000km, depending on payload |
Guidance system | inertial/satnav |
The Bluesun is an Arthuristan submarine-launched ballistic missile, designed to replace the first generation of Arthuristan SLBMs, the Bluemoon. Intended to confer upon Arthuristan strategic forces a guaranteed second strike capability, it was originally envisaged as both a mobile ICBM deployed from truck-TELs, as well as a SLBM arming ballistic missile submarines. In the event, only the latter part of the plan was realised and no Bluesun missiles were ever deployed on land. It debuted in the late-90s and was designed specifically for the Styx-class submarine.
As of 2017, there are 48 missiles in active deployment, i.e. three 'boat-load' of missiles for the Commonwealth Navy's four submarines, plus an unknown number of test missiles.
Deployment and design
The Bluesun's induction into service represented a major shift in Arthuristan nuclear doctrine. Previously, submarines were armed with relatively inaccurate missiles equipped with large warheads, used primarily for countervalue deterrence. The Bluesun, however, utilises the latest in guidance technology to achieve maximum accuracy. It features two guidance mechanisms: inertial and satellite navigation. With SATNAV, the Bluesun is capable of 15m CEP, whereas with purely inertial guidance accuracy of 120m CEP is attainable. Theoretically, this makes the Bluesun an excellent counterforce weapon, able to precisely target and neutralise hardened enemy strategic assets such as missile silos. In reality, the relatively small number of Arthuristan strategic missiles left in active deployment precludes any strategy other than a largely countervalue-based deterrence strategy.
The Mark 2 version of the mid-2000s features improved second and third stages. It carries a heavier load of decoys in its MIRV bus and features significantly improved EMP-hardening.
The Mark 3 features significantly improved penetration capability. Its third-stage now has a liquid-fuelled rocket engine which is significantly faster, follows a flatter trajectory and is capable of erratic evasive maneouvres against exo-atmospheric mid-course interceptors. It can deploy mid-course countermeasures at pre-determined points. The existing stock of missiles have been gradually upgraded to this configuration since 2015.
As of 2015, the Mark 4 upgrade package is under active consideration. This would allow the Bluesun missile to carry four Hypersonic Glide Vehicles to elude increasingly effective ballistic missile defences.
Payloads
The standard warhead of the Bluesun missile is currently the Red Goblin, a variable-yield nuclear device with maximum yield of 150 kilotons. They are carried in a MIRV configuration, with each warhead capable of independently attacking separate targets.
The missile is theoretically capable of carrying up to twelve warheads. In reality, only six are routinely carried, in order to allow the missile to attain its maximum range, as well as to increase its payload of penetration aids and decoys.