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China has recently developed a low-altitude, hyper-sonic missile platform (DF-ZF) for which the USA doesn't have a great defense against. And this platform is

China has recently developed a low-altitude, hyper-sonic missile platform (DF-ZF) for which the USA doesn't have a great defense against. And this platform is specifically designed to attack carrier groups. THAAD can theoretically stop these missiles but the range for doing so is extremely limited due to the speed (up to Mach 10) and low altitude these missiles fly at.

chuckster563 4y ago
That system was designed using US tools. It is simulated on computers whose chips, OS, system and software were all made in the west. https://freebeacon.com/national-security/report-missile-tech-funded-by-us-taxpayers-through-the-us-government-ends-up-in-china/ https://freebeacon.com/national-security/report-missile-tech...
cromwellian 4y ago
These are not true hypersonic cruise missiles (e.g. a SCRAMJet), instead they are ballistic missiles with an unpowered hypersonic glider warhead. Thus, they aren't too dissimilar from the way ICBMs work for missile defense with EKVs being needed to intercept. The intercept speed of EKVs IIRC is over Mach 25. Thus, the interception goal would be to get them in their boost phase, or mid-course phase, rather than the terminal phase after they've launched the HGV (hypersonic glide vehicle). HGV phase, I think only laser/particle weapons would work given the time between detection and firing solution. But for mid-course, they could use SM-3/SM-6. The SM-3 is specifically designed for targets like the DF. So AEGIS systems with SM-3 might be effective in protecting US carriers as long as the launches are detected. The problem is, the HGV only spends a much shorter time in ballistic phase, and once it re-enters the atmosphere, it is no longer on a predictable ballistic trajectory. That said, military tech often works much better in theory than in reality. The USSR/Russia had a fearsome military tech on paper, the evidence in Ukraine seems to be it was hyperbole.
- rnk 4y ago
  I'm sure China would manage to sink some carriers if there was an all out assault with all their capabilities, that is one of their key goal. Nothing will be invulnerable. They'll have some other weapons no one knew about. But what will the US do then. Will we stage weapons in other countries around China, increasing the danger of a real world war? Will we manage to build bases on Taiwan that can be protected somehow? I hope I never find out.

chuckster563 4y ago

That system was designed using US tools. It is simulated on computers whose chips, OS, system and software were all made in the west. https://freebeacon.com/national-security/report-missile-tech-funded-by-us-taxpayers-through-the-us-government-ends-up-in-china/ https://freebeacon.com/national-security/report-missile-tech...

cromwellian 4y ago

These are not true hypersonic cruise missiles (e.g. a SCRAMJet), instead they are ballistic missiles with an unpowered hypersonic glider warhead. Thus, they aren't too dissimilar from the way ICBMs work for missile defense with EKVs being needed to intercept. The intercept speed of EKVs IIRC is over Mach 25. Thus, the interception goal would be to get them in their boost phase, or mid-course phase, rather than the terminal phase after they've launched the HGV (hypersonic glide vehicle). HGV phase, I think only laser/particle weapons would work given the time between detection and firing solution. But for mid-course, they could use SM-3/SM-6. The SM-3 is specifically designed for targets like the DF. So AEGIS systems with SM-3 might be effective in protecting US carriers as long as the launches are detected. The problem is, the HGV only spends a much shorter time in ballistic phase, and once it re-enters the atmosphere, it is no longer on a predictable ballistic trajectory. That said, military tech often works much better in theory than in reality. The USSR/Russia had a fearsome military tech on paper, the evidence in Ukraine seems to be it was hyperbole.

rnk 4y ago
I'm sure China would manage to sink some carriers if there was an all out assault with all their capabilities, that is one of their key goal. Nothing will be invulnerable. They'll have some other weapons no one knew about. But what will the US do then. Will we stage weapons in other countries around China, increasing the danger of a real world war? Will we manage to build bases on Taiwan that can be protected somehow? I hope I never find out.