[Jeff Head]

Sidewinder is all aspect and much better for engaging missiles. It's latest variants are very, very effective. Marryiong the sidwinder seekler and the shorter range stinger frame was ingenious and has created an extremey effective close in anti-missile defense.

In addition, do not forget that each carrier also carries two 8 cell Sea Sparrow missile launchers and three Phalynx CIWS.

And all of that, including the RAMS are just last ditch point defenses for leaker missiles that get through th much more substantial protecting provided by three AEGIS vessels (usually one cruise and two destroyers) each carrying over 100 missiles themselves to engage enemy missiles and aircraft with.

[lentulusgracchus]

Why not just create a shipboard pepperbox launcher for the latest block of Sidewinder?

Better still, supplement the Avenger HUMMVW-based SAM with a Sidewinder-based system. Longer range, I think, than Stinger.