M270/HIMARS MLRS-style launcher pod reload

[GURPS Fox]

So, I've been looking through the forum and there isn't much in terms of rules for a pod-launcher reloading system similar to HIMARS/M270.

Basically, unlike more traditional MLRS systems which require you to reload the tubes one at a time (basically stuff like Grads, Katushas, and similar MLRS systems), you literally replace the pod the launchers are installed in instead. Supposedly, the two 6-tube pods in an M270 can be replaced in two minutes with two, three, or four people (depending if the ammo truck is nearby, as the ammo truck has a crane).

Has anyone figured out how to stat this sort of thing?

[Anthony]

Mechanically, it means the weapon has Shots 12 (120), whereas if you had to load each tube individually at, say, 30s per tube, it would be Shots 12 (30i).

[GURPS Fox]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Mechanically, it means the weapon has Shots 12 (120), whereas if you had to load each tube individually at, say, 30s per tube, it would be Shots 12 (30i).

How MLRS/HIMARS 'reloads' is more akin to reloading a magazine (a magazine of immense caliber, but a magazine none the less) than a tube-by-tube arrangement, at least on the battlefield.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by GURPS Fox

How MLRS/HIMARS 'reloads' is more akin to reloading a magazine (a magazine of immense caliber, but a magazine none the less) than a tube-by-tube arrangement, at least on the battlefield.

Yes, that's why the reload time doesn't include the 'i' (indicating that reload is per shot).

[GURPS Fox]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Yes, that's why the reload time doesn't include the 'i' (indicating that reload is per shot).

[looks at the post, looks at the response, looks at the post again]
God damn, I dun goofed and didn't read it correctly.

So, I just stat it up as a multi-tube launcher and remove the i from the reload? Is it the same way with V2e?

[Donny Brook]

Honestly, I would be very surprised if 120 seconds is typical. An experienced crew with Quick Reload (Artillery) maybe. Typical would be more like 180.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by GURPS Fox

[looks at the post, looks at the response, looks at the post again]
God damn, I dun goofed and didn't read it correctly.

So, I just stat it up as a multi-tube launcher and remove the i from the reload? Is it the same way with V2e?

Ve2 didn't anticipate this particular weapon system. It makes "rocket launchers" with all kinds of tubes and loading mechanisms but "replace all tubes with a new set of tubes" makes it kind of a "meta- weapon" rather than a simple weapon.

I'm sure that what Anthony did was use the Real World figures for how long it takes to replace the launcher module. Also, those probably should be for optimal conditions like "got the module carrying and lifting vehicle parked in just the right place".

[dcarson]

The US launchers actually have cranes built in. If a pod is sitting there on the ground they can unload the old and load the new. Apparently in Ukraine they pre position pods at planned points so a system can shoot and scoot to the next dropoff site. Swap pods and move to the next planned firing location. So the logistics truck and the launcher are not at the same location to be targeted and you can pre load a days supply without having to run steady and trackable supply runs during the fighting.

Video showing how they reload. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnUk4n7BElE

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by dcarson

The US launchers actually have cranes built in. If a pod is sitting there on the ground they can unload the old and load the new. Apparently in Ukraine they pre position pods at planned points so a system can shoot and scoot to the next dropoff site. Swap pods and move to the next planned firing location. So the logistics truck and the launcher are not at the same location to be targeted and you can pre load a days supply without having to run steady and trackable supply runs during the fighting.

Sorta the high tech version of the trope of hiding a bunch of muskets around an ambush point and then just moving from one to the next. Makes it look like there are more of you than there actually are, makes it difficult to determine where you're at, and lets you reload (New York style) without having to haul everything from place to place. Not sure if it was ever used historically, but it shows up in stories and movies from time to time (I think there was a notable instance of it in The Patriot).

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Varyon

Sorta the high tech version of the trope of hiding a bunch of muskets around an ambush point and then just moving from one to the next. Makes it look like there are more of you than there actually are, makes it difficult to determine where you're at, and lets you reload (New York style) without having to haul everything from place to place. Not sure if it was ever used historically, but it shows up in stories and movies from time to time (I think there was a notable instance of it in The Patriot).

Only if you have more MLRS than you have logistics trucks so that pre-positioning manages to increase the rate of fire? Which isn't what was described.

What was described is more a matter of asynchronous ammo logistics instead of just-in-time.