The IDAS is a fiber-optically guided missle. Cool concept but in general it still has 2 major problems. Number one you have to be at a shallow depth to fire it. That in itself opens the sub up to many problems. Number 2 the sub has to have a way to know the helo(and helos are all it will be targetting) is there. For that to happen they will need to at least peak with one of their masts or periscopes.
The German Navy and its operational needs are fairly limited to littoral, aka shallow water, operations. I can see the possibility, though not a definite one, for the need to be able to counter asw air threats in a littoral environment. Outside of this theater, the norm will be to go deep and sneak the hell out of dodge. But in limited engagements in the shallows this may be an option. With a Diesel Sub and a need to snorkel, this may be a safety precaution worth spending on but, outside of that I don't see it happening.
Modern Littoral operating environments however are what the US Navy will face. Multiple platforms on a not so limited scale. The Sea Sparrow and its new incarnation the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missle are radar guided. Meaning the firing platform must use a high energy fire control radar to guide the missle to its target. That is an arrangement that simply wont work for a submarine. I dont believe a optically guided SAM would suit the needs for the US Navy. An autonomous, fire and forget weapon may be something the US would look at but, I believe submariners would prefer to hide. The Virginia Class is particularly suited to hiding in Littoral areas.
Im also not fully sold on guiding a missle optically onto a moving aircraft, even one that is just hovering. This would undoubtedly take up a space in a Torpedo room or a cell in a VLS, removing another offensive weapon from the loadout.
Warmonger by day, poet by night!
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