You are probably right ER, on several counts, and you have more background with this stuff than me. But with modern detection systems, I just doubt detection is going to be an issue (given that it takes a huge amount of thrust to accelerate and maintain a supersonic velocity). If the low-altitude reduces the horizon for detection, then Carriers already launch/operate spy drones and 'mini AWACS' manned aircraft- there is no reason they can't launch and network drones capable of detecting the missile.
What makes it immune to Phalanx defense, as I understand it, is that because the missile 'jinks' on its final approach, by the time the individual Phalanx slug is launched on a trajectory to intercept the missile, the trakectory has changed. What I am saying is that you don't need to count on that intercept computation being invalidated while the bullett is 'flying' from point A to point B, if you can put up a cloud of fragments where the missile is 'likely' to be.
What I read about the modern version of the phalanx is that its literally a turn key system. When a detection is made, the deck officer makes a decision to arm the system or leave it passive. If they arm it, the system tracks, targets and engages targets automatically and without supervision. With any threat, the officer has maybe a handfull of seconds to decide to turn the system active. If he screws up, then whatever mis-categorized threat the System is warning about gets turned to swiss cheese, or converseley, the ship and everyone on it gets fragged.
Yeti
Current Events » in reply to re: Aside from lasers
re: Aside from lasers
The whole thread (54 posts)
- Naval warfare bulletin
- There are at least two major weak spots in the missile design.
- 3rd weakness
- What about reactive armor?
- Maybe
- No...
- It all depends on how much momentum change is required to detonate the missile.
- You missed my point by a mile. (n/t)
- It all depends on how much momentum change is required to detonate the missile.
- Ultrasonic or microwave emitters might work.
- No...
- Maybe
- What about reactive armor?
- re: There are at least two major weak spots in the missile design.
- Kind of hard to get anything past a phalanx.
- 3rd weakness
- re: Naval warfare bulletin
- We need a World Peace Accord
- There are at least two major weak spots in the missile design.