![]() The Zircon can reach speeds of up to Mach 8 and hit targets at ranges up to 500-1000 km. The Granit missile is due to be replaced as the Russian Navy’s carrier killer of choice with the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. Russian Battlecruiser Pytor Velikiy firing a P700 Granit Anti Ship Missile: Via: Reddit The Granit AlternativeĬoming back to what General Sergei Shoigu said in his address to the military department board – it is unlikely that he had the Oniks missile in mind during his address. The Russian Navy additionally has many submarines armed with Oniks missiles which pose a good degree of threat to US carrier groups – if their whereabouts are not known to the US Navy. ![]() True, the number of Russian ships armed with Oniks missiles runs into scores, but then the US Navy maintains 11 carrier strike groups! Also, the challenge of approaching a carrier group within the launch range of an Oniks remains. The outcome of an engagement between a Russian Navy ship armed with Oniks missiles and a US Navy carrier group would depend on the specific circumstances, the countermeasures employed by the carrier strike group, and the success of the missile’s penetration through the carrier’s defenses.Įven in case of an adverse outcome, the chances that one, or even multiple, Oniks strike(s) could sink an aircraft carrier are minimal. However, their 300 kg warhead is much smaller than the 750 kg warhead of the Granit. Russian P-800 Oniks missiles have the high supersonic speed and maneuverability to penetrate the defenses of a carrier group, and they are deployed on many warships and submarines. When equipped with external fuel tanks or aerial refueling capabilities, the aircraft’s range can be extended.Īs such, there is no chance that a Russian warship could approach a carrier group within the launch range of a Granit missile. The combat radius of carrier-based F/A-18C/D Hornet multirole fighter aircraft is approximately 300 nautical miles on internal fuel. However, only two Kirov class cruisers – Pyotr Velikiy and Admiral Nakhimov – are currently operational in the Russian Navy. Considering the small number of Russian ships armed with Granit missiles, their location would be known to the US Navy at all times. The nuclear-powered cruisers have a full load displacement of 28,000 t and can carry a complement of 20 x P-700 missiles. Russian Navy Kirov-class heavy guided-missile cruisers/battlecruisers are armed with the Granit missile. An aircraft carrier is typically equipped with a multi-layered defense system that includes close-in weapon systems (CIWS), medium-range missiles, and long-range air defense systems.Īdditionally, other warships in the group or task forces have various air defense weapon systems that contribute to the overall defense.Ī single Granit hit, even with a conventional warhead, would most likely cripple an aircraft carrier. The Challenge In Destroying An Aircraft CarrierĪircraft carriers operate as carrier strike groups or as a task force comprising other warships and support ships. But the task before Russia isn’t trivial. US carrier groups are key to maintaining US hegemony, and Russia appears to have taken note. In his address, General Shoigu subtly articulated Russia’s intent to take on the challenge posed by the US leadership’s brashly articulated intent to weaken Russia. The head of the Russian Ministry of Defense, speaking at a meeting of the military department board, also urged that all components of the strategic nuclear forces be kept in constant readiness. On November 21, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu exhorted the country’s shipyards to construct multi-purpose ships with high-precision missile systems designed to destroy critical infrastructure and naval targets, including aircraft carriers and ship strike groups.
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