Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Chinese develop anti aircraft carrier ballistic missile.
U. S. Naval Institute ^ | 3-31-2009 | U. S. Naval Institute

Posted on 04/06/2009 7:58:46 AM PDT by freedomwarrior998

With tensions already rising due to the Chinese navy becoming more aggressive in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy seems to have yet another reason to be deeply concerned.

After years of conjecture, details have begun to emerge of a "kill weapon" developed by the Chinese to target and destroy U.S. aircraft carriers.

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.

ASBM is said to be a modified DF-21 The ASBM is said to be a modified DF-21

While the ASBM has been a topic of discussion within national defense circles for quite some time, the fact that information is now coming from Chinese sources indicates that the weapon system is operational. The Chinese rarely mention weapons projects unless they are well beyond the test stages.

If operational as is believed, the system marks the first time a ballistic missile has been successfully developed to attack vessels at sea. Ships currently have no defense against a ballistic missile attack.

Along with the Chinese naval build-up, U.S. Navy officials appear to view the development of the anti-ship ballistic missile as a tangible threat.

After spending the last decade placing an emphasis on building a fleet that could operate in shallow waters near coastlines, the U.S. Navy seems to have quickly changed its strategy over the past several months to focus on improving the capabilities of its deep sea fleet and developing anti-ballistic defenses.

As analyst Raymond Pritchett notes in a post on the U.S. Naval Institute blog:

"The Navy's reaction is telling, because it essentially equals a radical change in direction based on information that has created a panic inside the bubble. For a major military service to panic due to a new weapon system, clearly a mission kill weapon system, either suggests the threat is legitimate or the leadership of the Navy is legitimately unqualified. There really aren't many gray spaces in evaluating the reaction by the Navy…the data tends to support the legitimacy of the threat."

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.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aircraftcarrier; armsbuildup; china; chinesemilitary; missle; navy; redchina; usnavy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-89 last
Comment #81 Removed by Moderator

To: freedomwarrior998

Gates is now nothing more than a Puppet for his Marxist Boss the “0”. He (The Zero) wants an end to American Military dominance. To rid the U.S. of all new weapons systems, an try to end our nuclear programs. If China continues on this path, they are doing nothing but readying a take over of Taiwan . What better time than with a Zero in the White House ?


82 posted on 04/06/2009 5:06:01 PM PDT by dbrew2u
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Admin Moderator
Is "shaddap" a fish or a fowl?

Either way I'm pretty sure that Viking kitties would eat it up.

83 posted on 04/06/2009 5:06:01 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: tc45a
I'm not asking for an apology, just a bit more time reviewing what you write. Obviously I'll miss small words at times, but I won't write the below:

“What is say’s is a fact”

My intent was to help you, not insult you. People won't take your post's very serious, if they make little sense. Whatever’s clever.

84 posted on 04/06/2009 5:41:39 PM PDT by Rick_Michael (Have no fear "President Government" is here)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: tc45a
China has little interest in invading the US militarily. As long as they can wait it out, we'll take ourselves out of the competition for #1 global leader. As Sun Tzu taught them 3000 years ago, a war won without a fight is the best kind of war. All we have to offer is lebensraum and buyers. Once we're kow-towing to them full-time, we'll open up our borders to a a few million scores of their population, and will be happy to keep on buying their stuff. No war necessary. Nothing to gain that isn't gained by simply waiting. They'll exercise power over us by owning our Congress and Presidents.
85 posted on 04/06/2009 5:49:50 PM PDT by Teacher317
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Virginia Ridgerunner

What a negative attitude u have.


86 posted on 04/06/2009 6:12:36 PM PDT by bushpilot1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

It’s all about the timing (and the secrecy of course); best to leave it to private enterprise. :’)


87 posted on 04/06/2009 8:31:37 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: freedomwarrior998
It's not a very advanced missile tech.


DF-21


Yellow range is 2000 KM.


I'm Chinese, if wtc911 said some dirty words and he is a Chinese too, I apologize to you for his offence, terrorist is shit.
88 posted on 04/07/2009 4:16:15 AM PDT by tgbhu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SonOfPyrodex

Heh heh heh...


89 posted on 04/07/2009 11:05:34 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (El Pres__dente, es un cula grande!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-89 last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson