Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreadnought
The sat relay systems used aboard fare much farther and clearer then the old stlye surface sets. This is also why the helo is not used for spotting nor guidance for the missle sets (perhaps mid course but certainly not primary). We wouldnt trust something that important with something that can be easily shot down and we would be blind as a bat. This is not Korean/Vietnam era where the helo was used for spotting. We know long before Kirov gets into any position to fire. And I certainly wouldn't suggest the Kirov's helos are safe at 10 miles out. They certainly are not safe at all and it would be a simple matter of duck hunting although we wouldnt use an elephant gun to do it. In addition althought the helo is not used in the fashion that Kirov's is for spotting purposes you can rest assure that if she returns to sea she would be carring something much more lethal then a Seasprite for doing its normal chores such as mail and supply delivery.
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The nature of this discussion was to isolate the Iowa's surface combatant capability vs that of the Kirov. In this case the 1980's vintage Iowa vs the 1980's Kirov. In order to do this you have to match them in an isolated controlled environment, no third party support other than what they can carry with them.
If the Iowa is travelling in full support of the USN. That is another matter.
Currently, there are 2 Kirov's still in commission with the northern fleet. The full sortie of the Northern fleet, minus a carrier, will be centered on the Kirovs and the Slava with escorting Sovs and Udaloy destroyers. I have no doubt that an adhoc surface strike group (SSG) of the Iowa escorted by Burkes and Tico's can take them on with high probability of victory. However, the same Burke and Tico's SSG can also defeat them on their own
without the Iowa. The Iowa needs the Burke and Tico to successfully operate against such a powerful fleet. The Burke and Tico do not need the Iowa.