Dong Feng 21D, Chinese Missile, Could Shift Pacific Power Balance

[unhappycamper]

Dong Feng 21D, Chinese Missile, Could Shift Pacific Power Balance
ERIC TALMADGE | 08/ 5/10 05:43 PM | AP

ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — Nothing projects U.S. global air and sea power more vividly than supercarriers. Bristling with fighter jets that can reach deep into even landlocked trouble zones, America's virtually invincible carrier fleet has long enforced its dominance of the high seas.

China may soon put an end to that.

U.S. naval planners are scrambling to deal with what analysts say is a game-changing weapon being developed by China – an unprecedented carrier-killing missile called the Dong Feng 21D that could be launched from land with enough accuracy to penetrate the defenses of even the most advanced moving aircraft carrier at a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers (900 miles).

Analysts say final testing of the missile could come as soon as the end of this year, though questions remain about how fast China will be able to perfect its accuracy to the level needed to threaten a moving carrier at sea.

The weapon, a version of which was displayed last year in a Chinese military parade, could revolutionize China's role in the Pacific balance of power, seriously weakening Washington's ability to intervene in any potential conflict over Taiwan or North Korea. It could also deny U.S. ships safe access to international waters near China's 11,200-mile (18,000-kilometer) -long coastline.



unhappycamper comment: It's amazing to think that a $2 million dollar missile can take out a $40 billion dollar aircraft carrier. You guys better hurry up and finish the USS Gerald R. Ford.

[SpiralHawk]

1. Ahhh, the notorious Long Dong

This, um, threat will be of special interest to certain, um, Republicon Supreme Court Family Pharisee Values Corporatists.

[unhappycamper]

2. lol n/t

[WinkyDink]

3. Now,see, if we hadn't sold the nation to China, we'd hit those factories. Alas.

[Selatius]

4. At the bottom of the article, it says the missile can reach up to 10 times the speed of sound.

The fastest anti-ship missiles currently are Russian ones, and they can move at about twice to three times the speed of sound, such as the Sunburn anti-ship missiles.

What the Chinese are building sounds more like an ICBM with a thousand-mile range with pin-point accuracy instead of just an anti-ship missile. The only difference is it can hit a target accurately rather than simply getting close. With a nuclear warhead on top of a traditional ICBM, you only need to get within a couple of miles of the target to do damage.

[madrchsod]

5. the problem is getting the missile from point A to point B

has china enveloped the command and control systems to deliver the missile....?

[Javaman]

6. Questions...

Who said it can take out aircraft carriers? Who said it was so very accurate? Who said it can travel 10 times the speed of sound?

Who would benefit the most from some big mean weapon?

In the end, what does the navy want?

[montanto]

7. "In the end, what does the navy want?"

lol. There it is. We wouldn't hear about it unless the navy wanted something. A trillion dollars for a long-dong chastity shield system no doubt. The Chinese are Coming!!! *hides under bed*

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Soon to be followed by demands for more money for the Pentagon.