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highsea · 12-13-2004, 06:52 AM

US ASW efforts have languished since the Soviet threat disappeared, and the biggest threat to a CBG comes from SSK's. The recent excersizes with the Aussies and their Collins Class boats should have driven this point home.

Supersonic ASM's like P-800/Yakhont/Brahmos, or Sunburn/Moskit have to get within the defensive screen to be a threat. The longest range ASCM is the Brahmos/Yakhont at 300 km. It would be awfully tough for an aircraft or skimmer to penetrate the defensive screen that far if the CBG is on a wartime footing. But the sub-launched version, the P-800 can be fired from a 650mm tube, same as the SS-N-16 Stallion. Akula Class has 4 650mm tubes.

Kilos can carry the (SS-N-27) cruise missile system which fires the 3M-54E1 ASM. Range is 220km with 450kg high explosive warhead.

Not to mention the variety of torps that both boats can carry.

With the buildup of the Chinese SSK fleet, I see that as the biggest threat to the USN. Kilos are a known quantity, but the 093 and Yuan class boats are unknowns.

We have only the 3 Seawolf class boats and the one Virginia class. We should have 30.

So I vote for Virginia Class SSN.

12-13-2004, 06:52 AM	#135 (permalink)
highsea *Defense Professional* Join Date: 12-10-04 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,585	US ASW efforts have languished since the Soviet threat disappeared, and the biggest threat to a CBG comes from SSK's. The recent excersizes with the Aussies and their Collins Class boats should have driven this point home. Supersonic ASM's like P-800/Yakhont/Brahmos, or Sunburn/Moskit have to get within the defensive screen to be a threat. The longest range ASCM is the Brahmos/Yakhont at 300 km. It would be awfully tough for an aircraft or skimmer to penetrate the defensive screen that far if the CBG is on a wartime footing. But the sub-launched version, the P-800 can be fired from a 650mm tube, same as the SS-N-16 Stallion. Akula Class has 4 650mm tubes. Kilos can carry the (SS-N-27) cruise missile system which fires the 3M-54E1 ASM. Range is 220km with 450kg high explosive warhead. Not to mention the variety of torps that both boats can carry. With the buildup of the Chinese SSK fleet, I see that as the biggest threat to the USN. Kilos are a known quantity, but the 093 and Yuan class boats are unknowns. We have only the 3 Seawolf class boats and the one Virginia class. We should have 30. So I vote for Virginia Class SSN.