TrueBlueAmerican

TrueBlueAmerican

The Russian made Oniks missile is designed to do one thing and one thing only: to "kill big ships".

And reports indicate that Iran has purchased alot more than just 10 of them. A barrage of these missiles traveling at Mach 3 can spell disaster for our big ships in the Persian Gulf. Particularly since they can also be launched from shore.

The_Heretic

I got some bad news for those deathwishing American naval power. The CWIS guns are the last line of defense against missiles not the first. The air defense of carriers are layered, with the outermost being over four hundred miles.

Good luck!

__________________
"They're all cattle just markin' time in the slaughterhouse line." -The Heretic, Quill-Fu Theater: Enter The Needle

TrueBlueAmerican

The most outer layer of a carrier fleets defense would be the radar range of the AWAC's used for detection. Then intercept fighter jets. Then the accompanying destroyers and gun ships. Then the carriers missile and gun defenses.

The thing about the Oniks, and also the sunburn missiles, is that they are very fast and low flying. The AWAC's would give the fleet early detection capabilities, but fighter jets cant make the intercept since the missiles travel and close too fast. The only means of defense would be to attack the missiles directly using munitions from the supporting destroyers and gun ships. The last line of defense would be the CWIS gun on the carrier itself. It is theoretically feasible to stop multiple high speed incoming missiles but the problem occurs when you have to deal with multiple missiles (20+). There is a very high probability that we could lose one or more carriers during the conflict. The worst part is the Straight of Hormuz.

The most vulnerable area for the carrier fleets is the Straight of Hormuz since it is the entrance and most narrow part of the gulf. This is the most dangerous area for the carrier fleets because the missiles can be launched from shore, and would have a much faster closing time since there is less distance to travel.

TrueBlueAmerican

Essentially any carriers fleets in the gulf could get trapped. To safetly move them out during or after the attack, the military would need to do something nobody is even talking about, a ground invasion to secure the area. My advice would be to not send too many of our assets into this little corner of the world. And its important to note that all the sourounding countries, not just Iran, could potentially have Iranian forces present and equipt with the missiles. Definately in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

The_Heretic

Doesn't matter. Those radar systems can pick up targets mere feet over the ocean. Plus, U.S. air defense networks are the most integrated defenses in the world, with any one unit able to aid other aircraft lock their weapons onto a target for them.

Wrong again, the fighters can carry missile for interception shootdown as can the naval vessels' own air defense missiles.

Maybe you should look into this a bit more and get up to date.

That's not a problem for even a single CWIS.

Seriously, get yourself up to date on the declassified capabilities of the U.S. Navy.

I'm sure the military knows that and the area under constant surveillance when moving through there. They see so much as a runway taxing maneuver and they're ready to put a boot up someone's ass.

__________________
"They're all cattle just markin' time in the slaughterhouse line." -The Heretic, Quill-Fu Theater: Enter The Needle

TrueBlueAmerican

Noone is denying that.

Were talking about distances of less than 100 miles at the widest point of the gulf, assuming that the carrier would literally be on top of a beach. So in reality were talking about distances of less than 75 miles. The enemy missiles have an initial speed of 2283 mph, so it could close 75 miles extremly fast.

So assuming that the right fighter with the right munitions is at the right place, and enough of them, they could intercept the missiles. Im interested in knowing which particular air to air missile can stop another missile traveling at Mach 3. I know the Patriot Missiles can do it but those are land based systems. Info on this subject would be appreciated.

And it has to be taken into account that the enemy missiles themselves have their own countermeasures to avoid being shot down including violent and erratic manuevers while in flight, especially at the end of their flight.

Hooah?

Seriously though, the military cant know where everyone is all the time. Thats silly. And you have to remember that the host always has the advantage of knowing the terrain better.