New Concerns Over Chinese 'Carrier-Killer'

[The_Dude 1,142]

New Concerns Over Chinese 'Carrier-Killer'

With tensions already rising due to the Chinese navy becoming more aggressive in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy seems to have yet another reason to be deeply concerned.

After years of conjecture, details have begun to emerge of a "kill weapon" developed by the Chinese to target and destroy U.S. aircraft carriers.

First posted on a Chinese blog viewed as credible by military analysts and then translated by the naval affairs blog Information Dissemination, a recent report provides a description of an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) that can strike carriers and other U.S. vessels at a range of 2000km.

The range of the modified Dong Feng 21 missile is significant in that it covers the areas that are likely hot zones for future confrontations between U.S. and Chinese surface forces.

The size of the missile enables it to carry a warhead big enough to inflict significant damage on a large vessel, providing the Chinese the capability of destroying a U.S. supercarrier in one strike.

Because the missile employs a complex guidance system, low radar signature and a maneuverability that makes its flight path unpredictable, the odds that it can evade tracking systems to reach its target are increased. It is estimated that the missile can travel at mach 10 and reach its maximum range of 2000km in less than 12 minutes.

Supporting the missile is a network of satellites, radar and unmanned aerial vehicles that can locate U.S. ships and then guide the weapon, enabling it to hit moving targets.

While the ASBM has been a topic of discussion within national defense circles for quite some time, the fact that information is now coming from Chinese sources indicates that the weapon system is operational. The Chinese rarely mention weapons projects unless they are well beyond the test stages.

If operational as is believed, the system marks the first time a ballistic missile has been successfully developed to attack vessels at sea. Ships currently have no defense against a ballistic missile attack.

Along with the Chinese naval build-up, U.S. Navy officials appear to view the development of the anti-ship ballistic missile as a tangible threat.

After spending the last decade placing an emphasis on building a fleet that could operate in shallow waters near coastlines, the U.S. Navy seems to have quickly changed its strategy over the past several months to focus on improving the capabilities of its deep sea fleet and developing anti-ballistic defenses.

As analyst Raymond Pritchett notes in a post on the U.S. Naval Institute blog:

"The Navy's reaction is telling, because it essentially equals a radical change in direction based on information that has created a panic inside the bubble. For a major military service to panic due to a new weapon system, clearly a mission kill weapon system, either suggests the threat is legitimate or the leadership of the Navy is legitimately unqualified. There really aren't many gray spaces in evaluating the reaction by the Navy…the data tends to support the legitimacy of the threat."

In recent years, China has been expanding its navy to presumably better exert itself in disputed maritime regions. A recent show of strength in early March led to a confrontation with an unarmed U.S. ship in international waters.

Source

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[Azzudiin 26]

Oh you mean someone else in the world besides the USA can spend lots of money and build a weapon? If the USA would stop playing world policeman and actually become a defensive force and not an offensive force then maybe people would not be building stuff to stop them from invading everywhere.

[mawilson 2,133]

The range of the modified Dong Feng 21 missile is significant in that it covers the areas that are likely hot zones for future confrontations between U.S. and Chinese surface forces.

What's with the Chinese and North Koreans naming their missiles after dongs? 21 cm, I presume?

[The_Dude 1,142]

Oh you mean someone else in the world besides the USA can spend lots of money and build a weapon? If the USA would stop playing world policeman and actually become a defensive force and not an offensive force then maybe people would not be building stuff to stop them from invading everywhere.

But then how would you propose we get the world to do what we want?

[Heracles 417]

Rest assure, gun ownership will take care of this.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

This should make Steven happy. Since he's a big fan of Chinese, mass-murdering communists.

[Ban Hammer 14,358]

Rest assure, gun ownership will take care of this.

nonsense - we'll send a squad of aussies in, that will take care of them!

[Nagishkaw 510]

0r David Bowie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzcCVGiP-OE

[slim 1,533]

No worries. We've got something for that.

[slim 1,533]

Wolverines!

I can't believe there are people on here who would rather stand around at the drive in than live in the mountains and fight.

[William33 110]

TOS violation post and one copying deleted.

Please watch the racial slurs, references and stereotypes.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Hmmmm who would have thought shooter would get a post deleted for racism. I.Am.Shocked.Really.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Hmmmm who would have thought shooter would get a post deleted for racism. I.Am.Shocked.Really.

Why the hating on Shooter? Are you jealous of his big brain??

[Moonandstar 6]

What's with the Chinese and North Koreans naming their missiles after dongs? 21 cm, I presume?

Dont know about Korean, but just to spoil the joke, and for educational purposes, Dong== east.

They tend to take the whole 'eastern pride' a bit over the top sometimes, i'm sure it would only be more so with weapons

Actually though, thats speculation. Without actually seeing the character, it could be another word, but i think it's east in this case.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Why the hating on Shooter? Are you jealous of his big brain??

Yes, I am jealous of shooters big racist bigoted brain. Thats it.