Just a short, quick build to keep me occupied.

Development

In 2033 the East Hamalian Navy conducted live-fire exercises on a retired Watcher-class corvette. The exercise, which fired seven of the new Block 50 Perseus anti-ship missiles on the ship, proved what had long been feared: gun-based close-in-weapons-systems were largely incapable of defending against swarms of modern supersonic anti-ship missiles.

SMC Industries was contracted to design a new system with longer range and increased firepower. In order to meet requirements the company designed a point-defence missile system with a range of nine miles.

Design

The launcher contains eighteen Arrowhead missiles, each with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5. The Arrowhead is capable of rapid lock-on capability against sea-skimming missiles thanks to its solid-state active radar seeker, being able to switch targets mid-flight if required. The missile barrel-rolls on launcher separation to manoeuvre against incoming targets in all stages of flight, using a thrust-vectoring nozzle to rapidly change direction.

The launcher is guided by an external radar system, with the Arrowhead locking-on after launch. Three targets can be engaged per second, providing excellent protection against swarming attacks. Arrowhead launchers don't require deck penetration in order to be installed and can be fitted in place of Goalkeeper and Phoenix CIWS already in service, as well as the Starstreak MANPADS launcher.
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The RIM-178 Arrowhead is being installed on SWUGC Ashdown-class frigates, EHN aircraft cruisers and corvettes, Bulbasauri Navy corvettes and Brightneau Navy destroyers. Each system costs $2.5 million per unit.

Instructions

VTOL+TRIM to aim launcher.