USS Monsoon Griffin Test

January 23, 2013 by Chris Rawley - informationdissemination.net

The Navy just released an interesting video of Raytheon's Griffin missile testing from USS Monsoon (PC-4) off VACAPES last month.   Although relatively short-range (about 5km), Griffin brings some much-needed offensive firepower to the PCs.  The $45k a pop Griffin has proliferated in the U.S. military in the past few years, with roll-on installations on Marine Corps C-130s and other aircraft.  Monsoon's testing also represented a successful demonstration of laser designation and targeting at sea (albeit on a clear day). The dual quad-pack Griffin installation onboard Monsoon is very compact and lends itself to installation onboard even smaller vessels such as the MK VI.

The Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System, the addition of remotely-operated MK 38 MOD 2 25mm chain guns onboard other combatants, and a few other programs are part of the Navy's rapid deployment efforts to counter the fast inshore attack craft/fast attack craft swarm threat.