The Soviet-built SS-N-22 Sunburn is an ASM that Russia has had in it’s arsenal since the 1970’s that can do Mach 3. Back in 1999, Russia sold four destroyers armed with these missiles (which are designed primarily to kill American aircraft carriers) to China.
If my math is correct, 2000 MPH = 2933 feet per second. In three seconds, the missiles would travel 1.67 miles. Even if I buy the article’s premise that a person would only have 3 seconds to react before it’s too late, who says a person has to make the decision? Given 3 seconds, a computer has more than enough time to evaluate velocity, altitude, trajectory, etc., determine if flight characteristics fall into “unfriendly” parameters, check for valid IFF replies, and set onboard defense systems to fire. However, I find it hard to believe ships can’t detect something traveling at 2000 MPH until it’s 1.67 miles away. The things have to fly at least a few feet above the highest waves, so pulse doppler should be able to pick them up.
Yes but sunburn is a ship launched weapon with a relatively short range.