ATLS-9701 is a small unnamed U.S. Navy active service auxiliary Aerial Target Launch Ship operated by the Pacific Targets and Marine Operations Division (PTMO), U.S. Department of the Navy.[1][2] The ship possesses VHF, UHF, Sat-Phone, NIPR/SIPRNET communication capabilities, equipped with Nobeltec Navigation system, and BQM-74 aerial targets launchers.[1]
 ATLS-9701 in 2011
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | None |
| Builder | VT Halter Marine Shipbuilder, Moss Point, MS |
| Launched | 1998 |
| In service | 1998-present |
| Homeport | Port Hueneme, Naval Base Ventura County |
| Identification |
|
| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | aerial target launch ship |
| Displacement | 857 t |
| Length | 264 ft 5 in (80.6 m) |
| Beam | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Draft | 6 ft 10 in (2.1 m) maximum |
| Propulsion | 2 x diesels, 2 shafts, 1,342 bhp |
| Speed | 8 knots (15 km/h) |
| Range | 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km) |
| Complement | unknown/classified |
| Armament | 2 BQM-74 launchers |
History edit
ATLS-9701 was built in 1998 for MQM-8G Vandal Targets program run by the Naval Air Systems Command. She was used for firing the MQM-8G super-sonic targets simulating cruise missiles, which were reconfigured RIM-8 Talos long-range naval surface-to-air missiles, in order to test the Phalanx and RIM close-range defensive systems deployed by the Navy. MQM-8G's were remote-controlled, non-recoverable vehicles, 36.2 feet in length, 7.3 feet in diameter, and weighing 8,225 pounds.[3]
After the last MQM-8 targets were launched in 2005, the ATLS-9701 was converted to firing BQM-74 targets and also became a platform for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy for VBSS maritime training, confined space clearing, on-ship container access, and testing helicopter fast-roping skills, among other activities.[1]
On April 4, 2013, ATLS-9701 was used by the members of the 13th MEU Maritime Raid Force, who fast-roped onto her from a CH-46 helicopter during VBSS training.[4] On January 11, 2015, the 15th MEU Maritime Raid Force exercised their boarding skills on the ATLS-9701 in the San Diego Bay during interoperability training.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c ATLS-9701 Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ World Navies Today: US Navy Minor Auxiliaries & Yard Craft: ATLS 9701 drone launch ship
- ^ Navy Training System Plan for General Aerial Targets, January 2002, Globalsecurity.org
- ^ 13th MEU, MRF, Train on Maritime Platform, DVIDS, Video by Cpl. Ammon Carter, VIRIN:130405-M-KX613-001 (Released)
- ^ MRF conducts interoperability training, DVIDS, U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Allison Burgos, VIRIN:150111-M-ZZ999-069 (Released)
