C-802 Missile

[gazzzwp]

With a confrontation with Iran looming ever closer, what is the truth about the US Navy's ability to defend against the dreaded C-802 missile? Supposedly these missiles are cheap to manufacture and the Iranian, Chinese, and Pakistani military all possess these missiles in huge numbers. They can apparently be launched from hovercraft, fast moving small vessels, and aircraft.

This is the same missile that was launched by Hezbollah that nearly sunk an Israeli vessel in 2006.

Could this be part of the reason why there has been huge procrastination involved with the Iranian issue?

Any thoughts?

G

[Mod Edit: While the Mod Team welcomes new members, we would also like to remind you to read the forum rules before posting or starting new threads again.]

 

[Binny Winson]

C-802-An operational menace with an potential to become a Strategic one

Hi gazzzwp,

Good post, There are lot of issues in play here when you talk about an attack on Iran. They could be classified as Strategic issues (Geo-political outcomes) Tactical and operational issues. I think your question is more to do with the "operational" part.

Tackling this operational menace is tough but manageable when compared to other strategic issues in play.
i) gathering intelligence on the missile sites (both static and mobile, the latter being difficult to detect and destroy)
ii)keeping the ships well out in the Arabian sea away from the strait of Hormuz and ordering air strikes to take out these missile sites and missile boats.


But then what if the Iranians use the missile against oil shipping that would be disastrous as nearly 40% of the world oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz. That would bring down the world economy still further. Well then in this case this tactical issue could turn out to be a big strategic catastrophe and you are in a way right.

and its also about the existing problems in the middle east that the US and the West faces. problems like the existing wars, the Arab spring, Syrian civil war, and the repercussions that an attack on Iran would trigger throughout the world far more outweigh the fear for C-802.

 

[T.C.P]

I think the CIWS on US ships are more than capable of taking out the C-802.

Plus in the event of a war with the US most of the Iranian missiles and missile launching systems, platforms will be destroyed way before they even find a target with in their range.

 

[gazzzwp]

I didn't think of that; the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns were both preceeded by a precision bombing campaign which took out 90% of the enemies defences.

In the event of a multi launch of C-802's what would be the defence effectiveness for the carrier group? I cannot believe with the amount of time the US has known about this weapon that they do not have an effective counter measure, but just curious to know really.

Also do you think that the Chinese sub incident in 2007 where a Song class diesel appeared among a carrier group incognito was simply hype? Surely the detection systems must be capable of detecting them?

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

In the event of a multi launch of C-802's what would be the defence effectiveness for the carrier group?

Why would a US carrier group be anywhere near the Iranian coast and within the range of Iranian shore batteries (assuming they were still active)?

 

[PCShogun]

Also do you think that the Chinese sub incident in 2007 where a Song class diesel appeared among a carrier group incognito was simply hype? Surely the detection systems must be capable of detecting them?

I'd like to see some input on that incident myself but that is probably another thread somewhere already. The Song class are diesel and diesel boats are extremely quiet since they have no pumps that must constantly run. It is possible the sub simply "hovered" in place and allowed the carrier group's screen to simply pass over it before surfacing. Still, not a very encouraging event to have happen.

 

[colay]

The Iranians aren't going to be very popular if they start threatening the world's oil lifeline. That would be an easier justification for Western military intervention than suspected Iranian nuke weapons program.

As has been stated, all the USN has to do is keep a safe distance and force Iranian ships and aircraft to try and close within missile range.. out in the open, the latter would be target practice long before they got anywhere close to their objective. .I'd be more concerned about Iran's 3 Kilo-class subs, particularly if there is any substance toreports that they were trying to arm them with Klub-S missiles. Still, the USN has decades of experience figuring out ways to deal with such threats.

As far as the successful attack on the Israeli warship, it appears that this was a sort of comedy of errors and a disaster waiting to happen. They went into action complacent, relying on intelligence that there was no credible threat. Some of their defensive systems were inoperable or switched off. The captain apparently wasn't apprised of the ship's status. Other Israeli ships in the vicinity erroneously identified the incoming missile as an israeli aircraft. Definitely not a shining example of Israeli military competence one woul normally expect.

 

[firefox007]

"In the event of a multi launch of C-802's"

The Iranians aren't going to be very popular if they start threatening the world's oil lifeline. That would be an easier justification for Western military intervention than suspected Iranian nuke weapons program.

As has been stated, all the USN has to do is keep a safe distance and force Iranian ships and aircraft to try and close within missile range.. out in the open, the latter would be target practice long before they got anywhere close to their objective. .I'd be more concerned about Iran's 3 Kilo-class subs, particularly if there is any substance toreports that they were trying to arm them with Klub-S missiles. Still, the USN has decades of experience figuring out ways to deal with such threats.

As far as the successful attack on the Israeli warship, it appears that this was a sort of comedy of errors and a disaster waiting to happen. They went into action complacent, relying on intelligence that there was no credible threat. Some of their defensive systems were inoperable or switched off. The captain apparently wasn't apprised of the ship's status. Other Israeli ships in the vicinity erroneously identified the incoming missile as an israeli aircraft. Definitely not a shining example of Israeli military competence one woul normally expect.

Yes, I agree with the above quote, that the US Navy ships may well be able to protect against a few launches. We know their protective systems, they have been up-graded over the years.

However, the question may be of many multiple launches, say twenty or more at once. That is the question, as surely that is the correct tactic for a more sure-fire hit, or multiple hits. As Iranian commander, I would do multiple launches. Surely the missiles can be secretly pre-positioned, also in camouflage, in order to achieve successful attacks. Multiple platforms, also moveable, can be arrayed. If such an assault was planned, it could inflict some major damage, the Iranians looking at any damage level as a propaganda victory, to be PR'ed to the Arab world as well. It does not have to be a actual sinking; al-qaeda got good PR out of their minor attack on the USS Cole for instance.

In any event, Iranian missile capabilities w/regard to multiple launches should not be under-estimated; prior to a heightened period of naval conflict in the tight waters of Hormuz or the Gulf area.