Whether in Asian or Mediterranian Seas, US warships are highly vulnerable to enemy attacks. American enemies have increasing capabilities, and a salvo of even old-style weapons can sink a fleet. That should give war-planners pause.
To be certain, the ships are well-equipped with anti-attack technologies. Still, the idea of an onslaught of numbers of incoming missiles can swamp defenses.
That is another reason why Americans and allies want to prevent North Korea and Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and delivery capabilities.
"North Korea 'ready to sink' US aircraft carrier Vinson
23 April 2017
The Vinson battle group was conducting exercises with the Japanese navy in the Philippine Sea on Sunday
North Korea is "ready to sink" a US aircraft carrier heading for the peninsula, state media have said.
A commentary in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper warned that the USS Carl Vinson could be sunk "with a single strike".
A battle group headed by the Vinson is expected off the peninsula this week.
It was despatched by President Donald Trump amid a warning that US "strategic patience" over the North's nuclear ambitions had come to an end.
Tension also rose after a recent failed missile test by the North and a massive military parade showing off its latest hardware."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39686427
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"Carrier defenses are formidable. U.S. aircraft carriers are equipped with extensive active and passive defenses for defeating threats such as low-flying cruise missiles and hostile submarines. These include an array of high-performance sensors, radar-guided missiles and 20 mm Gatling guns that shoot 50 rounds per second. The carrier air wing of 60+ aircraft includes a squadron of early-warning radar planes that can detect approaching threats (including radar periscopes) over vast distances and helicopters equipped for anti-submarine, anti-surface and counter-mine warfare. All of the carrier's defensive sensors and weapons are netted together through an on-board command center for coordinated action against adversaries."
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