Navy Ship Encounters Iranian Boat (and USN fires a flare to send it away)

reply to post by biggie smalls


FYI, you are aware that the US Navy has had a presence in the Persian Gulf since at least the Iran v iraq War right? Which of course happened long before the US ever went to war with Iraq.

Originally posted by Odessit

So wait, you telling me it is okay if US decides to block the shipments of Iranian tankers which ship oil in the international waterst that are close to Iranian waters and would say " Oh, they must have explosives on these tankers, plus they we in the international waters, and we can do whatever we want".
T

[edit on 12-4-2008 by Odessit]

No, it's only the idiots in the Iranian gunboats and "high speed" boats that are of concern. The Iranians have acted foolishly with these types of boats chasing after or playing chicken with US and other countries' warships.

The tankers are full of Chinese bound oil, the USA would not interfere with these as China is a valuable economic partner in the global economy.

Originally posted by Harlequin
the only `success` came when the shelss were airburst over the target.

Hence not "useless", those deck guns can be fired in rapid succession ensuring a wide area is covered. Even if those boats are moving fast multiple air burst shots can be put downrange.

Originally posted by Harlequin
ESSM and SM-2 - i know they can engage everything in the `test` environment

The Standard missile has been used against a surface ship in real combat, ironically against an Iranian fast attack boat. Both missiles have a very good inherent capability to engage such targets, even small boats. Also, multiple missiles would be launched in ripple fire to ensure a hit, those Iranian boats would not stand a chance.

On April 18, 1988, during Operation Praying Mantis, the USS Simpson (FFG-56) fired four RIM-66 Standard missiles and the USS Wainwright (CG-28) fired two RIM-67 Standard missiles at Joshan, an Iranian (Combattante II) Kaman-class fast attack craft. The attacks destroyed the Iranian ship's superstructure but did not immediately sink it. (It went down later.)

Link

The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft, and is is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. Compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, ESSM is effectively a new missile with a larger, more powerful rocket motor for increased range, a different aerodynamic layout for improved agility, and the latest missile guidance technology. Testing has even shown the ESSM to be effective against fast surface craft, an option that greatly expands the missile’s utility. As a further bonus, the RIM-162 ESSM has the ability to be "quad-packed" in the Mk 41 vertical launching system, allowing 4 missiles to be carried per launch cell instead of one larger SM-2 Standard missile or similar equipment.

Link

Originally posted by Harlequin
and the SM-1MR block IV is better than the also deployed SM2MR block II at the time , since the SM-2 block II is a new motor and new warhead , but same as the block 1 - which the SM-1 out shot.

What?

The Navy uses the RIM-156A SM-2ER Block IV which is completely a new missile...
It is more capable, in virtually all aspects then any other version of the Standard ever fielded...

The RIM-156A uses a completely new MK 72 booster, which is significantly shorter than the original SM-2ER booster, has no fins, and uses thrust-vectoring control. The missile itself is also improved, featuring guidance and control modifications, including an upgraded MK 45 MOD 10 TDD (Target Detection Device), for improved performance against high-performance, low-RCS threats in severe ECM environments. The Block IV is also a developmental step toward the Block IV A (see below), the forthcoming Navy Area Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (NATBMD) missile.

Link

Originally posted by Harlequin
so theory is all well and good , but don`t just say its the best when it didn`t work when needed.

What? You're posting irrelevant and arguable cases which have nothing to do with this topic. I have shown that even the old Standards with old ship systems have proven themselves in combat against Iranian fast boats. Current USN systems would have no trouble repeating the task even more effectively.

Originally posted by Harlequin
as for helo`s - they haven`t launched them in any of the recent incidents * which btw has been happening for the last 10 years so why IS this news anyway?*

The Helos can be launched and can fire a host of weapons that can take out those Iranian boats, that was my point. Also, you forgot to mention the AGM-119 Penguin.
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