Friday, January 7, 2022

How Big Of A Risk Are China's 'Carrier-Killer' Missiles?

USS George Washington. US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Declan Barnes  

Business Insider/19FortyFive: The real risk posed by China's 'carrier-killer' missiles 

* China's anti-ship ballistic missiles have caused concern among US military officials. 

* Chinese anti-ship weapons are a threat to US warships, and their use would escalate any conflict. 

* Those weapons are an important part of China's arsenal, but their impact is more incremental than revolutionary. 

Could China's missiles really sink a US Navy aircraft carrier? 

The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) has generated a tremendous amount of interest over the past several years. 

If it works, it poses a very serious threat to US Navy (USN) carriers, as well as to the other advanced warships of the USN, of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, and others. 

An anti-ship ballistic missile is more than just a missile; it requires a broad, sophisticated support system. Unlike a missile launched at static targets, a carrier-killing ASBM requires terminal guidance, as it must revise its flight path after reentering the atmosphere.

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: A prediction. If hostilities should ever break out between the U.S. and China, America's aircraft carriers are going to keep their distance from eastern Asia.

3 comments:

Dave Goldstein said...

The 1st one of the missiles hits a carrier will be the last for everyone

copley7 said...

In a protracted conflict we will definitely lose carriers. In WW2 in the first year of the war the USA lost the Langley (although downgraded by 1942 to a seaplane tender and aircraft transport), Lexington by aircraft, Yorktown by aircraft and the coup de grace by a Jap sub, Wasp (sub), and Hornet (aircraft). Plus Saratoga was out of action due to sub torpedo strikes.
This was all accomplished by October 1942. Enterprise was also partially damaged.

Things were so bad the Brits loaned us the HMS Victorious (aka USS Robin) which served in Pacific combat.

In the same period the USA sank 5 Jap carriers, one at Coral Sea by torpedo bombers, and 4 at Midway by dive bombers.

China will lose all their carriers to missles and subs.

If you really want to see carriers taken out of action,sunk or basically destroyed look at what kamikaze strikes did to carriers in late 1944-45. They weere basically human guided missles. Roughly 14% plus got through the screen. Expect a higher rate in the coming war.

Anonymous said...

The US never planned on putting its carriers within range of Russian missiles or aircraft during the Cold War. Why now?
Carriers will be out where they are supposed to be, open ocean controlling sea lines of communications, engaging fleet actions, attacking Chinese island positions or invading islands ourselves.

For the Chinese mainland we have long range sub launched cruise missiles and heavy bombers launching long range missiles of various kinds. Tacair won't near China's coast.