General Discussion

sarisataka

(22,450 posts)

27. Sea skimming missiles are not new to warfare

Tue Feb 24, 2026, 02:47 PM

Feb 24

Nor is designing defenses against them. A CVBGs ability to protect itself is impressive and it is all focused on protecting the carrier. Granted no defense is impenetrable but to claim they are sitting ducks against an untested missile is hyperbole.

According to the description,

The CM-302’s warhead, reportedly weighing between 250 and 500 kilograms, carries sufficient destructive yield to inflict catastrophic damage on vessels displacing up to 5,000 tons

Modern carriers displacement is over 100,000 tons. It would take multiple hits to be assured of causing significant damage.

Tactically trying to hit a carrier is simply wasting missiles. It is very unlikely they would reach their target and any damage inflicted would probably be minor. Yet Iran could try as any damage they could cause to a carrier would be a strategic victory.

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Aircraft Carriers Are Sitting Ducks [View all] gab13by13 Feb 24 OP

I don't get it. We used to not attack countries if they didn't attack us. Walleye Feb 24 #1

We have been in Greg_In_SF Feb 24 #2

I know, but it still goes against our principles Walleye Feb 24 #4

Not really. GCG Feb 24 #10

OK, then, it goes against my principles and I get a vote, supposedly Walleye Feb 24 #13

That hasn't been a rule ever. Layzeebeaver Feb 24 #3

Well, we need to change that. Walleye Feb 24 #5

Absolutely! Layzeebeaver Feb 24 #7

We used to not attack countries without congressional approval... ananda Feb 24 #45

He'd consider an aircraft carrier an acceptable loss EYESORE 9001 Feb 24 #6

+1 Then he'd get to build a new one! leftstreet Feb 24 #8

I apologize, gab13by13 Feb 24 #9

Yep GCG Feb 24 #11

Well, true if... Layzeebeaver Feb 24 #12

The Cm-302 Chinese missile can fly 5 to 10 meters from the water, it skims over the water. gab13by13 Feb 24 #16

Fair enough. But it is also important to consider the effective "defense in depth" design of a carrier group. Layzeebeaver Feb 24 #33

Damn RoseTrellis Feb 24 #46

There are radar guided 30 mm guns that can shoot down such missiles. Jacson6 Feb 24 #14

They better aim low, gab13by13 Feb 24 #20

US Navy has some pretty good defenses against wave skimmers. haele Feb 24 #32

They do aim low. n/t Jacson6 Feb 24 #49

Well maybe just maybe if TSF knows he gonna lose everything,THIS bluestarone Feb 24 #15

Vastly underestimating Boo1 Feb 24 #17

The carriers are so vulnerable sarisataka Feb 24 #18

Has there ever been a supersonic missile gab13by13 Feb 24 #21

The USN is aware of the threat. Happy Hoosier Feb 24 #23

Sea skimming missiles are not new to warfare sarisataka Feb 24 #27

If we are truly at risk from Iran getting this missile. Melon Feb 25 #56

The USS Bismarck Sea was a Casablanca Class Escort Carrier. VGNonly Feb 24 #42

That is correct sarisataka Feb 24 #43

The other Essex Class carrier VGNonly Feb 24 #47

No carrier has been sunk since WW2 GreatGazoo Feb 24 #19

I don't think so. Happy Hoosier Feb 24 #22

Sitting ducks was the wrong term to use, gab13by13 Feb 24 #24

You should look into what a carrier group entails. Dreamer Tatum Feb 24 #25

Missiles are easy to get rid of Prairie Gates Feb 24 #26

Ya, Drones do concern most folks in the military. haele Feb 24 #34

Ha! Prairie Gates Feb 24 #35

China JOINS US Iran War: China ARMS Iran With Ship-Killer CM-302 Missiles Iran to SINK US Warships? Goonch Feb 24 #28

They dont have them yet. NT Layzeebeaver Feb 24 #37

No one is Greg_In_SF Feb 24 #29

Bookmarking Prairie Gates Feb 24 #36

Take it Greg_In_SF Feb 24 #41

4 of 5... Prairie Gates Feb 24 #44

I love Greg_In_SF Feb 25 #57

Depends on what you mean by "take out"... sir pball Friday #58

A live image of a burning aircraft carrier C_U_L8R Feb 24 #30

PNAC Kid Berwyn Feb 24 #31

If our carrier is attacked by Iran Krasnov will declare war and take claim of his GoodRaisin Feb 24 #38

Hmmm. Is it possible? yellow dahlia Feb 24 #51

There's a reason few nations buy Chinese military equipment Kaleva Feb 24 #39

yeah the Chinese radars guarding Caracas in Venz. didn't do so well nt EX500rider Feb 24 #48

That turned out to be be a big waste of money Kaleva Feb 25 #52

It's taken me awhile to pull this together in a manner that folks can consume... Layzeebeaver Feb 24 #40

During the Falklands War 1982 VGNonly Feb 24 #50

And the UK used WWII torpedoes in that conflict sir pball Friday #59

because it is the sport of repug prezes since ron ray gun.( we have to punish iran) AllaN01Bear Feb 25 #53

Hmm... What other large nation would benefit from the loss of US aircraft carriers? Orrex Feb 25 #54

I'm sure they're being escorted with guided missle cruisers Emile Feb 25 #55

Epstein. (n/t) Iggo Saturday #60