Posted on 12/28/2023 1:28:02 PM PST by Red Badger
Yemen's Houthis unleashed a new onslaught of anti-ship and land attack weaponry today around the southern end of the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command says the Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Laboon (DDG-58) and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike group shot down a dozen one-way attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two land attack cruise missiles. The series of engagements occurred over a 10-hour period starting at 6:30 AM local time. Not one of the weapons hit its mark.
Editor's note: For full context and background, make sure to get caught up on what is going on with the crisis around the Red Sea in our latest update posted earlier today.
The fact that Super Hornets scored kills is a new development. They would constitute just the second (and possibly more) aerial kill by a F/A-18E/F, the first being an Su-22 over Syria in 2017. While the Israeli Air Force has shot down Houthi drones since October 7th (and apparently did so again today, as seen in the tweet below), and it's possible Saudi Arabia, which has a long history of air-to-air kills on drones emanating from Yemen, may have as well, U.S. fighters have not. The employment of Super Hornets in the air defense role isn't that surprising though, as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) is currently loitering in the Gulf of Aden. This body of water is separated from the Red Sea by the narrow and tumultous Bab el-Madeb Strait.
The Super Hornets are capable assets against drones and cruise missiles. Their AN/APG-79 is arguably the most mature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on the planet. AESAs are more than capable of spotting, tracking, and assisting in the engagement of low-flying and small targets like drones and cruise missiles. Their ATFLIR targeting pods can also provide a visual of the target from far away that is useful for identification friend or foe (IFF) purposes. In this circumstance, it may prove extremely valuable for intelligence collection purposes in regard to understanding exactly the types of drones and cruise missiles Houthi forces are firing and at what.
U.S. Navy Super Hornets can also carry an advanced infrared search and track (IRST) system, which has seen limited deployment to the Middle East before. This system would be hugely valuable in spotting these kinds of targets, but it isn't clear if the Ike's Super Hornets have access to them for this deployment as the system has been mired in developmental issues.
An F/A-18F carrying an earlier block IRST centerline tank-pod during a combat patrol in the Middle East back in 2020. An F/A-18F carrying an earlier block IRST centerline tank-pod during a combat patrol in the Middle East back in 2020. The Super Hornet's AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAMs are both capable against both target types — drones and cruise missiles. Although, as the Saudis could attest, the AIM-120 has proven more reliable for engaging drones with very small signatures. The F/A-18E/Fs also have a 20mm cannon, but hitting a small target like a drone could prove problematic and concerns about where those rounds will fall is certainly a factor.
The Super Hornet's most potent feature is perhaps its networking capabilities, which allow it to receive and share high-quality targeting information from Aegis-equipped surface combatants below and the all-seeing E-2D Hawkeye above. The Hawkeye, with its incredible 'look down' radar capabilities able to surveil a vast area and its networking abilities that 'ties' the strike group together, as well as its highly trained crew that enables it, is potentially the most important asset the Ike brings to the table for this mission at this time.
E-2D Hawkeye. (Photo Courtesy Northrop Grumman/Released). E-2D Hawkeye. (Photo Courtesy Northrop Grumman/Released). Navy Arleigh Burke class destroyers like Laboon have already proven very capable of protecting themselves and other vessels against Houthi threats with their arsenal of surface-to-air missiles. However, Super Hornets can fly out far ahead of naval assets and protect those assets and key areas, while also investigating potential threats – something surface-to-air missile systems can't do. This flexibility is incredibly valuable in a complex battlespace situation such as the one being faced in the crowded Red Sea today.
The mention of land-attack cruise missiles in this latest incident is also of interest. Were these threatening a land target far off in Israel? This could make sense considering the IAF shot down a drone today over the northern Red Sea, as well. If a closer land target was the missiles' destination, that would be a major, troubling development. We have discussed how America's massive installation in Djibouti is of great concern because it only sits 100 miles from Yemeni shores. The stability of that critical base is based on complex geopolitical factors that could be disrupted if it becomes a target and defending it would be resource intensive. On the other hand, maybe CENTCOM misspoke and these were anti-ship cruise missiles, the likes of which we have seen the Houthis fired off many times before.
Also notable about this statement is no other participation by allied warships is mentioned. Considering the U.S. has begun its Operational Prosperity Guardian, it's interesting that no other vessels were involved with downing all these missiles and drones or, if they were, that information is being omitted.
The fact that the Houthis are still firing such a large number of weapons over such a short period shows how little they are deterred from doing so and, with the help of Iran, appear well-supplied to sustain their anti-shipping campaign.
This is a continuing story, we will update it with additional information when it becomes available.
+++100!!
“I’m not supporting the Islamic terrorists..”
Bullcrap. Those savages murdered 3,000 Americans in NYC, killed and maimed thousands of US troops, and just 2 months ago kidnapped and murdered several US citizens, and you think it’s none of our business.
“You people are traitors as far as I am concerned.”
GFY.
L
If you are that upset about the Isreal First position, maybe you could articulate the Jihadi First position and we could all discuss it.
For downing giant scale model airplanes?
You cannot serve two masters. All those who are Israel first are TRAITORS! Israel is committing despicable war crimes which is making America complicit in their evil actions. Indiscriminately bombing civilians from 20,000 ft because they are too cowardly to fight mano to mano. Intentionally bombing historic Christian churches and sniping at the Christian women inside. And not a peep from the so called “Christians” on here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8hv3LVwzTk
They are just shooting anything that moves including their own people caught in the crossfire. They’re lucky if they killed even 1,000 Hamas but they don’t care because they are caught up in some blood lust vengeance in their quest to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Doesn’t matter if you Israel firsters deny it, the whole world can see what’s going on and they are disgusted. And this is adversely affecting US interests to considerable degree. Go join the IDF yourself if you want and quit trying to drag the US into your mess.
Shooting down Jap Bakas counted, same with kamikazes. They couldn’t fight back.
Time to self-immolate.
“Israel is committing despicable war crimes which is making America complicit in their evil ..”
Ah yes, another Hamas supporting monster shows his true colors. Next you’ll be telling us that no Israeli women were raped, no Israeli babies were murdered, and October 7th was all a Jewish plot.
I’m sure you have your copy of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion handy, too.
Now why don’t you take your nasty antisemitic ass over to Strormfront. You’ll be welcomed with open arms.
Now once again, and from the bottom of my heart this time.
GFY.
L
Resorting to calling someone an antisemite no longer works these days, it’s the same as calling someone a racist because they don’t support reparations. Try a new tact, the old ploy won’t work any more.
Why don’t you self immolate...another traitor.
The stupidity of such military tactics needs exposed. But we foolishly allow our money and tactics to be wasted instead of exposed. 33 TRILLION is the result.
First I would destroy EVERY bit if these clowns military assets that I could find. Then I would SINK Half of the Iranian Navy!
Then I would let the Iranians know if they keep this up the rest of you NAVY is next along with your oil refinery!
And they sent the wrong missile to take that balloon down. I doubt there was much of a heat signal coming from the balloon, would have been more effective to use the guns on it.
Traitor? Douche.
Silly me! I thought the correct word was spelled with an A and two S’s.
In my case, all it took was flunking my first ARTEP...great learning experience, I learned what I could get away with on an evaluation. I had 3 platoons during my first two years, all 3 of my platoon sergeants had at least one tour in Vietnam. Damn, they were good men and fantastic teachers.
I learned a valuable lesson from my brothers at a remote Nike-Hercules site. In the event a battery failed its Nuclear Surety Inspection (a very rare event), the entire chain of command was relieved on the spot: Battery, Battalion, and Group Commanders. That was some real pucker factor!
If Israel wanted to commit “genocide” in Gaza they could have done it by now. And they’re not the ones calling for the extermination of an entire population. That’s your buddies in Hamas.
Israel left Gaza years ago. And Gazans decided to elect a bunch of genocidal pedophile worshipping monsters as a government. They teach their children to murder Jews and Christians before they learn to walk. Hatred oozes from their smelly pores in Gaza.
So after breaking a cease fire Gazans decided to invade Israel and murder thousands of people, kidnap for ransom hundreds of innocent people, and rape women and kids until they were dead.
And you gave the audacity to accuse Israel of war crimes? You’re sick. You’re demented. And you have no place on this forum.
L
Seeing as to how my last comment was removed I guess I have my answer. This is an Israel first forum. So I guess I will leave. So long traitors!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.