Word: radars
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...French-built Super-Etendard Argentine fighter-bombers probably approached the British fleet flying at around 575 m.p.h. H.M.S. Sheffield 's radar would in all likelihood have picked them up only as they climbed to identify their target and launch their Exocet air-to-sea missiles. From that moment, the attack that crippled the British destroyer some four minutes later was no longer a matter of daring and courage. It had become a 20th century battle of microchips and computers, of decisions and reactions far too fast for the human brain to make. Says a weapons expert for Jane...
Designed for helicopter launch, the missile is believed to have a range of about nine miles, greater than that of the antiaircraft weapons it is likely to encounter on its intended victims, small boats and patrol craft. To use it, a helicopter flies close enough to let its radar light up the target with radio energy, which, when reflected, provides a guiding point for the missile's homing computer. The Sea Skua streaks to its destination at over 550 m.p.h. and as little as 6 ft. above the surface. It is designed to penetrate the target before exploding...
...between 37 and 43 miles away from its goal, launches the missile and heads for home. The Exocet drops to the surface and skims 8 ft. or so above even the roughest waves at just below the speed of sound. About eight miles from target, the missile's radar takes over and steers it toward the enemy ship...
...jamming or, better yet, sinking the attacking submarine. But deep-diving nuclear attack submarines and the noiseless Tigerfish are hard to detect until it is too late. Similarly, the Sea Skua and Exocet antiship missiles are almost impossible to evade. A would-be victim can use electronic countermeasures like radar jamming to confuse the attacking missile's guidance system. A ship can also launch clouds of metallic strips from a special mortar to decoy its radar. Perhaps the best defenses are computer-guided antiaircraft guns and supersophisticated antimissile missiles...
...larger number of less expensive ships than to put too many eggs in one basket. Military reformers believe that the current state of technology gives an edge to those trying to destroy, rather than defend, a surface ship; U.S. carriers and battleships are particularly vulnerable to Soviet radar-guided missiles that can be launched from medium-range Backfire bombers. Said one official: "Why go out and build a $40 million ship when it can be wiped out by a $100,000 bullet?" The Senate last week decided to send the defense spending bill back to committee for further consideration...