Iran's air defenses.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by aaronblood

I think that's how you carry it around...

You certainly can't carry a TASM around on your shoulder!

Originally Posted by ABBAFAN

What does 'over the shoulder' mean in reference to the TASM?

Would a low level Vulcan attack have more of a chance?

Wasn't there a missile called ASRAAM at one point?

TASM - I think the poster was talking about how quickly you can get a shot off. The TASM needs to have its entire course programmed in advance, while the Harpoon can just be fired in a direction and hope that it hits something. At least that's what I think he was talking about.

Low level - A low level Vulcan attack would have more of a chance, in that on a scale of 1-10, 2 is better than 1. But the Vulcan is far from an ideal low-level aircraft. Considering its age, I don't think the airframe would hold up too well to the stresses of a low-level attack.

ASRAAM - The ASRAAM exists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASRAAM. It was part of the AMRAAM project between the Germans, Brits, and US. Eventually the Americans and Germans got fed up with the project and left to build their own short range missiles, but the Brits stuck with the project.

[XLjedi]

Originally Posted by Max2147

You certainly can't carry a TASM around on your shoulder!

I trust you know your stuff.

I should know better than to comment on things I know nothing about.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by aaronblood

I trust you know your stuff.

I should know better than to comment on things I know nothing about.

TASM is the anti-ship missile version of the Tomahawk missile. It weighs about 1500 kilos/3000 pounds.

[CaptainHaplo]

Yes Max nailed it - the Tasm requires a lot of programming - the harpoon is relatively simple as a point thataway - put in a couple of parameters and let it go kill your target.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Max2147

You certainly can't carry a TASM around on your shoulder!

Maybe you can't... wussie

Originally Posted by ABBAFAN

What does 'over the shoulder' mean in reference to the TASM?

I think it means a quick shot at a persuing enemy. The Harpoon has that capablity as I recall.

Originally Posted by Max2147

As far as Harpoon vs. TASM, I was always a fan of the TASM. The range was nice, but more importantly it packed a much bigger punch than the fairly weak Harpoon. But both are pretty vulnerable to SAM fire. I think the US Navy really needs a long range, high speed anti-ship missile like the Russians are so good at making.

Dont forget the TASM/TLAM is a bit longer than the Harpoon which becomes an issue on smaller ships. But the US never really needed a High Speed ASM since that role was filled by supersonic Strike Aircraft with bombs and mavs.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

But the US never really needed a High Speed ASM since that role was filled by supersonic Strike Aircraft with bombs and mavs.

I'd have to think that any modern ship bigger than a destroyer would shoot a strike aircraft out of the sky well before it got within bombing/Maverick range.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Max2147

I'd have to think that any modern ship bigger than a destroyer would shoot a strike aircraft out of the sky well before it got within bombing/Maverick range.

I'm sure the Royal Navy thought the same thing right up till a bunch of old A-4 Skyhawks bombed their ships in the Falklands War.

Don't forget a strike aircraft is bigger than a missile meaning it can pack more ECM systems.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

I'm sure the Royal Navy thought the same thing right up till a bunch of old A-4 Skyhawks bombed their ships in the Falklands War.

Don't forget a strike aircraft is bigger than a missile meaning it can pack more ECM systems.

Air defense systems have moved forwards a long ways since 1982. The British fleet in the Falklands didn't have long range SAMs.

I can't say that I have a whole lot of faith in ECM systems. If the enemy ship only gets one shot at you, that's one thing. But with long range SAMs they get multiple shots on each plane. Even if less than half their shots hit they can still wipe out an attacking force.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

Originally Posted by Max2147

Air defense systems have moved forwards a long ways since 1982. The British fleet in the Falklands didn't have long range SAMs.

They did have a LR SAM - the Sea Dart. Its theoretical range is IIRC longer than the Exocets the Argies were carrying, to say nothing of bombs. The problem was that the Argies were flying lower than Sea Dart's ability to lock on. LR SAMs are easy compared to the problems of getting SAMs to engage low-fliers right (even when they are above the radar horizon). The new systems are closing that hole at the bottom, or should be (because recent combat experience is mostly a case of America sending low-fliers including cruise missiles against older air defense systems, as I said up there).