Chinese missile has twice the range U.S. anticipated

The Washington Times ^ | November 20, 2002 | Bill Gertz

[Stand Watch Listen]

China recently test-fired a new cruise missile with twice the range U.S. intelligence agencies initially estimated, intelligence officials say. The test comes as Chinese Communist officials last week appointed a top general in charge of China's missile buildup to a new post within the leadership that runs the military.

[Aggie Mama]

Thanks Clinton. Bastard.

[joesnuffy]

The bass turd had plenty of help

[Dog Gone]

It was only a matter of time. The Chinese are smart people. Their economy and technology has exploded from a peasant economy 30 years ago and now they are one of the prinicple manufacturers of electronics.

They bought or stole much of the sophisticated technology, but it's practically inevitable that they will develop advanced missile and space technology.

China is no longer communist. But we need them to become a democracy before they develop the weapons to kill us.

[hchutch]

A long-range version of the Exocet (the C-801 is a clone of the Exocet, IIRC)...

This might be worrisome. The Exocet's pretty darn good, from what I hear.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

They have exchanged the dismally failed Maoism for a chinese brand of Nazi/Fascism which is unfortunately
rather effective.

They grow more dangerous every day and they hate us.

[lds23]

Ping

[hchutch]

Perhaps, but keep in mind, they need our trade a great deal. They also are short in one vital commodity: Oil.

After the war on terror, the MidEast is going to be a lot more friendly towards us. If the PRC gets too aggressive towards Taiwan or elsewhere, then that could get the Russians involved, too. The Russians have this long border with China, you see, and if one's neighbor starts to get aggressive, one will take steps.

If the Chinese start having trouble getting oil - then they are checkmated. No oil, no movement for their tanks and ships, no flight time fir their planes - and no movement means no training.

If you don't train, you'll get your butt kicked in the real thing.

[Poohbah]

Note: a missile that can fly 155 miles is worthless if you can only see targets at 20 miles. China is buying weapons. They are not buying enough in the way of sensors and communications needed to use those weapons. Aside from the United States, nobody is.

[hchutch]

Valid point.

You have to wonder if Putin isn't taking the ChiComs for a ride. Selling the weapons, but holding back on the sensors, a set-up, if you will.

[Poohbah]

The Russians aren't maintaining their own ocean surveillance constellation anymore, and they haven't sold them out. Read Norman Friedman's Seapower and Space to get an idea of how these systems work.

[dljordan]

Yep, those chinese missiles work great thanks to all the guidence technology the Loral and Hughes managed to transfer to them.

[general_re]

The Exocet's pretty darn good, from what I hear.

'Twas an Exocet that hit the Stark back in '96, and an Exocet that sank the British destroyer Sheffield back in '82 during the Falklands conflict.

But I think Pooh is still right - long range doesn't do much good if you can't see what you're trying to shoot.

[Poohbah]

But I think Pooh is still right - long range doesn't do much good if you can't see what you're trying to shoot.

That is the biggest single issue in information era warfare, and all of the talk about "network-centric warfare" and "transforming the American military" revolve around that issue. If you can see it, you can hit it. The problem is seeing it without using techniques that let the enemy see you at the same time--because the rule on seeing and hitting works both ways.

[hchutch]

Very true.

However, there are other ways... massive use of bearing-only launch. Get an ESM reading - send the missiles in on that bearing.

[Poohbah]

However, there are other ways... massive use of bearing-only launch. Get an ESM reading - send the missiles in on that bearing.

That tactic leads to lots of missiles expended on decoys, empty magazines in the clutch, and Uncle Sam winning another war--because we're the only people who can afford to consistently do that :o)

[hchutch]

The PRC's only hope is to develop a naval version of the human wave attacks they used in Korea in the 1950s. However, they still need a magic bullet or four to succeed.

Still, I'd be leaning towards a longer-range AAM. Bring back the AAAM program, perhaps?

[Poohbah]

The PRC's only hope is to develop a naval version of the human wave attacks they used in Korea in the 1950s. However, they still need a magic bullet or four to succeed.

Still, I'd be leaning towards a longer-range AAM. Bring back the AAAM program, perhaps?

That program got killed for a public reason (end of the Cold War) and a not-so-public reason (it was very poorly managed). CEC takes care of most of the long-range AAW problem, anyway (remember, sensors are now the schwerpunkt of modern warfare).

[Tailgunner Joe]

bump

[flamefront]

And thgis needs posting:

PLA Navy Obtains New-Generation Submarines