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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

China’s DF-21D Missile Is a One-Shot Aircraft Carrier Killer


Since the end of WWII, America's naval might has been undisputed and our aircraft carriers have been its crown jewels.

However, the days of dominance could end with China's new DF-21D ballistic missile—the only device on Earth capable of sinking an aircraft carrier—four and a half acres of sovereign US territory—with one shot.

The DF-21D (Dong-Feng 21 variant D) is the world's first and only anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). It's a two stage, land-launched missile with a maximum estimated range of 2,700 to 3,000 km.

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1 comment:

  1. So many problems with this video and the idea in general.........


    1. micro satellite launch capability after a carrier group has been "detected" by OTH radar or cnn.com


    2. assuming that exact carrier positioning is achieved, course correction communication while reentering the atmosphere and the associated ionization of air is currently outside even the US capability. There is a reason all comms are lost with a reentering vehicle.


    3. Once comms are restored, which can last 2-9 minutes, the warhead has to reacquire a target which is traveling 30+ knots and evading.


    4. The window of opportunity to maneuver a warhead travelling at sub orbital speeds is extremely short and made all the more difficult while in the atmosphere.


    5. China does not posses long range maritime UAVs.


    6. Only a direct hit or near direct hit is useful using conventional munitions.


    7. Attack on a US Strategic Target such as an Aircraft Carrier or Nuclear Submarine would be politically akin to attacking New York City with an airplane. Clearly the political situation is very poor and the Chinese have opted to fight the US in a standup fight. If this scenario were to play out, so many other things have gone wrong, there is likely to be more than one carrier in the region.


    8. Assuming this capability comes to fruition in 10 years, where is the US Navy going to be from a technology standpoint? Perhaps global strike will be operational and we won't need an aircraft carrier to patrol the south china sea, only smaller non capital ships......

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