5 Us Anti-Ship Missiles You Need To Know

The United States has a long history of developing and deploying advanced anti-ship missiles to counter the naval threats from adversaries. These missiles play a crucial role in the US military's ability to defend its interests and protect its naval assets. Here are 5 US anti-ship missiles you need to know:

Understanding the Importance of Anti-Ship Missiles

Anti-ship missiles are a critical component of modern naval warfare. They provide a powerful deterrent against enemy ships and can be used to defend against amphibious assaults, convoys, and other naval threats. The US has invested heavily in the development of advanced anti-ship missiles to counter the growing naval capabilities of countries like China and Russia.

The Evolution of US Anti-Ship Missiles

The US has been developing anti-ship missiles since the 1950s. Early systems like the Terrier and Talos missiles were designed to counter Soviet naval threats during the Cold War. However, these early systems had limited range and accuracy. In the 1970s and 1980s, the US developed more advanced anti-ship missiles like the Harpoon and Tomahawk. These missiles had longer ranges and greater accuracy, making them more effective against enemy ships.

1. Harpoon Missile

The Harpoon missile is a subsonic, sea-skimming anti-ship missile developed by Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas). The missile has a range of over 67 miles (108 km) and can be launched from ships, submarines, and aircraft. The Harpoon missile uses a radar seeker to guide itself to the target and can penetrate armor with its 488-pound (221 kg) warhead.

Key Features of the Harpoon Missile

Range: over 67 miles (108 km)
Speed: subsonic (around 500 mph or 800 km/h)
Warhead: 488 pounds (221 kg)
Guidance: radar seeker
Launch platforms: ships, submarines, and aircraft

2. Tomahawk Missile

The Tomahawk missile is a subsonic, cruise anti-ship missile developed by Raytheon (formerly General Dynamics). The missile has a range of over 1,000 miles (1,609 km) and can be launched from ships and submarines. The Tomahawk missile uses a combination of inertial guidance and terrain reference systems to guide itself to the target and can penetrate armor with its 1,000-pound (454 kg) warhead.

Key Features of the Tomahawk Missile

Range: over 1,000 miles (1,609 km)
Speed: subsonic (around 500 mph or 800 km/h)
Warhead: 1,000 pounds (454 kg)
Guidance: inertial guidance and terrain reference systems
Launch platforms: ships and submarines

3. Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)

The LRASM is a supersonic, anti-ship missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The missile has a range of over 200 miles (322 km) and can be launched from aircraft and ships. The LRASM uses a combination of GPS and sensor data to guide itself to the target and can penetrate armor with its 1,000-pound (454 kg) warhead.

Key Features of the LRASM

Range: over 200 miles (322 km)
Speed: supersonic (around Mach 3)
Warhead: 1,000 pounds (454 kg)
Guidance: GPS and sensor data
Launch platforms: aircraft and ships

4. Naval Strike Missile (NSM)

The NSM is a subsonic, anti-ship missile developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA). The missile has a range of over 100 miles (161 km) and can be launched from ships and coastal defense systems. The NSM uses a combination of GPS and terrain reference systems to guide itself to the target and can penetrate armor with its 276-pound (125 kg) warhead.

Key Features of the NSM

Range: over 100 miles (161 km)
Speed: subsonic (around 500 mph or 800 km/h)
Warhead: 276 pounds (125 kg)
Guidance: GPS and terrain reference systems
Launch platforms: ships and coastal defense systems

5. AGM-158C LRASM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile)

The AGM-158C LRASM is a variant of the LRASM missile, designed for use on aircraft. The missile has a range of over 200 miles (322 km) and uses a combination of GPS and sensor data to guide itself to the target. The AGM-158C LRASM can penetrate armor with its 1,000-pound (454 kg) warhead.