Wire: Chinese Develop Weapon to Defeat US Carriers

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2009 -- Newswires reported Tuesday that details have begun to emerge of a "kill weapon" developed by the Chinese to target and destroy U.S. aircraft carriers.

The U.S. Naval Institute noted the following news:

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.

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, the U.S. Naval Institute concluded.

(Report from a commercial news source.)

Source: Report: Chinese Develop Special "Kill Weapon" to Destroy U.S. Aircraft Carriers

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