TRAM which will allow reloading warships' VLS cells with logistics ships on cruise was tested for the first time.
The U.S. Navy shared the images of the TRAM mobile reloading system's test, which will extend the combat endurance. In normal cases, warships with VLS have to return to the port to have their missiles reloaded, which can cause early departure from the combat zone.
NAVSEA's press release stated that the missile canister was transferred to the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin (CG-65) from the logistic support ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) in Sea State Four. Once onboard the missile cruiser, the canister went aligned with the VLS cell using rails. Finally, TRAM vertically tilted the canister and put it into the cell.
Up to this point, logistics ships' rearmament capabilities had been limited to smaller weapons like machine guns and small air defence missiles. TRAM coming to the equation can extend attacks on surface targets or air defence endurances. The latter has become a subject of importance following the rise of saturation tactics with affordable munitions.
Another plan of the U.S. Navy to boost the capacity of missiles is to utilise medium to large-sized USVs to act as missile mules for warships by carrying containerised VLS. A test was conducted in this regard with the MUSV which launched an SM-6 long-range air defence missile with Mk70 VLS based on the standard Mk41 VLS of the U.S. Navy destroyers/cruisers.
