Sea skimming - Revision history

Yogiindia: small changes

2026-03-11T01:19:47Z

small changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:49, 11 March 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Short description\|Missile flight technique}}		{{Short description\|Missile flight technique}}
	{{see also\|Nap-of-the-earth}}		{{see also\|Nap-of-the-earth}}
	[[File:US Navy 051009-N-7559C-001 The Navy's Flight Demonstration team, the Blue Angels lead solo, performs the sneak pass.jpg\|thumb\|A US Navy [[Blue Angels]] pilot demonstrates ~~skeet~~ skimming technique in a "sneak pass". The image shows a condensation cloud from a high-speed shockwave. (2005)]]		[[File:US Navy 051009-N-7559C-001 The Navy's Flight Demonstration team, the Blue Angels lead solo, performs the sneak pass.jpg\|thumb\|A US Navy [[Blue Angels]] pilot demonstrates sea skimming technique in a "sneak pass". The image shows a condensation cloud from a high-speed shockwave. (2005)]]
	'''Sea skimming''' is a technique many [[anti-ship missile]]s and some fighter or strike aircraft use to avoid [[radar]], [[infrared detector\|infrared detection]], and to lower probability of being shot down during their approach to the target.		'''Sea skimming''' is a technique many [[anti-ship missile]]s and some fighter or strike aircraft use to avoid [[radar]] and [[infrared detector\|infrared detection]] and to lower the probability of being shot down during their approach to the target.

	==Method==		== Method ==
	Sea-skimming anti-ship missiles try to fly as low as is practically achievable, which is almost always below 50 meters (150 [[Foot (length)\|ft]]), and is often ~~down towards~~ 2 meters (6 ft). When under attack, a warship can detect sea-skimming missiles only ~~once~~ they appear over the horizon (about 28 to 46 km from the ship), allowing about 25 to 60 seconds of warning.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.missilethreat.com/cruise/pageID.1736/default.asp \|title=~~Archived copy~~ \|accessdate=2012-05-18 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505050941/http://www.missilethreat.com/cruise/pageID.1736/default.asp \|archivedate=2012-05-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf \|title=Archived copy \|accessdate=2006-08-10 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820230233/http://ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf \|archivedate=2006-08-20 }}</ref>		[[File:Mansup (13-09-2024).gif\|thumb\|The Brazilian anti-ship missile [[MANSUP]] adopts sea skimming flight profile after launch]]
			Sea-skimming anti-ship missiles try to fly as low as is practically achievable, which is almost always below 50 meters (150 [[Foot (length)\|ft]]), and is often near 2 meters (6 ft). When under attack, a warship can detect sea-skimming missiles only after they appear over the horizon (about 28 to 46 km from the ship), allowing about 25 to 60 seconds of warning.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.missilethreat.com/cruise/pageID.1736/default.asp \|title=MissileThreat :: Glossary for Cruise Missiles \|accessdate=2012-05-18 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505050941/http://www.missilethreat.com/cruise/pageID.1736/default.asp \|archivedate=2012-05-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf \|title=Archived copy \|accessdate=2006-08-10 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820230233/http://ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf \|archivedate=2006-08-20 }}</ref>

	==Advantages==		== Advantages ==
	By flying low to the sea, missiles decrease the range at which the target ships can detect them by a significant amount. Flying at a lower altitude increases the amount of time the missile is under the horizon from the perspective of the target ship, making it harder to detect due to [[Radar#Clutter\|radar clutter]] from the sea and similar effects. The real-life success of sea skimming depends on its exact implementation, the sophistication of the detection equipment, as well as the infrared and [[Radar cross-section\|radar signature]] of the missile. Sea skimming can significantly reduce the available response time that a ship's [[missile defense]]s have to work within, making these missiles significantly harder to defend against. Sea skimming can also increase the range of a missile, by relying on [[Ground effect in aircraft\|ground effects]].		By flying low to the sea, missiles decrease the range at which the target ships can detect them by a significant amount. Flying at a lower altitude increases the amount of time the missile is under the horizon from the perspective of the target ship, making it harder to detect due to [[Radar#Clutter\|radar clutter]] from the sea and similar effects. The real-life success of sea skimming depends on its exact implementation, the sophistication of the detection equipment, as well as the infrared and [[Radar cross-section\|radar signature]] of the missile. Sea skimming can significantly reduce the available response time that a ship's [[missile defense]]s have to work within, making these missiles significantly harder to defend against. Sea skimming can also increase the range of a missile, by relying on [[Ground effect in aircraft\|ground effects]].

	==Disadvantages==		== Disadvantages ==
	The use of sea skimming increases the risk of water impact ~~with~~ the missile before reaching the target, due to weather conditions, [[rogue wave]]s, [[software bug]]s and other factors. Sea skimming also hinders [[target acquisition]], as many of the principles that hinder the target's detection of the missile also hinder the missile's detection of the target. ~~Furthermore, sea~~ skimming involves a significant computational load, increasing the required processing power and cost.		The use of sea skimming increases the risk of water impact by the missile before reaching the target due to weather conditions, [[rogue wave]]s, [[software bug]]s and other factors. Sea skimming also hinders [[target acquisition]], as many of the principles that hinder the target's detection of the missile also hinder the missile's detection of the target. Sea skimming involves a significant computational load, increasing the required processing power and cost.

	==Possible defenses==		== Possible defenses ==
			Several systems are capable of defeating sea skimming weapons.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Douglas R. Ousborne \|title=SHIP SELF-DEFENSE AGAINST AIR THREATS \|url=https://www.jhuapl.edu/Content/techdigest/pdf/V14-N02/14-02-Ousborne.pdf \|accessdate=19 October 2022 \|publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory]]}}</ref>

	===~~Phalanx~~ CIWS===		=== Gun-based CIWS ===
	{{main\|~~Phalanx CIWS~~}}		{{main\|Close-in weapon system}}

	~~The [[Phalanx~~ CIWS~~]] ([[close-in weapons system]]) is an automated, high-speed defense against anti-ship missiles, designed and manufactured by General Dynamics (now a part of Raytheon). Consisting of a radar-guided~~ {{~~cvt\|20\|mm~~\|in}} [[Gatling gun]] mounted on a swiveling base, the Phalanx is used by the [[United States Navy]] on every class of surface combat ship, by the United States Coast Guard aboard its Hamilton-class and Legend-class cutters, and the navies of 16 allied nations. Its effective range is very short relative to the range of modern ASMs, from 1 to 5 nautical miles (9 km).		=== Missile-based CIWS ===
			{{further\|Close-in weapon system#Missile systems}}

	The CIWS is designed to be the last line of defense against anti-ship missiles. An entirely self-contained unit, the system houses the gun, an automated [[fire control system]] and all other major components, enabling it to autonomously search for, detect, track, engage and confirm kills using its computer-controlled radar system with minimal human oversight. The system takes minimal inputs from the ship, making it capable of functioning despite potential damage to the ship.		=== Chaff ===
			{{main\|Chaff (countermeasure)}}

	The mount moves at a very high speed and with great precision, firing projectiles at a rate of 4,500 rounds per minute from a 1,550-round magazine. The velocity of the rounds once fired is approximately {{~~convert~~\|~~3600\|ft/s\|m/s~~}}. The rounds are [[Armor-piercing shot and shell\|armor-piercing]] [[tungsten]] penetrator rounds or [[depleted uranium]] with discarding [[sabot (firearms)\|sabot]]s. The kinetic projectiles are designed to pierce and explode an incoming missile's warhead. The ammunition handling system has two conveyor belt systems.		=== ECM ===
			{{main\|Electronic countermeasure}}

	==~~=SeaRAM=~~==		== Use in major wars ==
			French-made [[Exocet]] missiles were used by [[Argentina]] in the [[Falklands War]] (including the mortal wounding of [[HMS Sheffield (D80)\|HMS ''Sheffield'']]) and by Iraq against [[USS Stark\|USS ''Stark'']] in the Persian Gulf during the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. The Argentinian pilots of the [[Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard\|Super Étendard]] planes that attacked [[HMS Sheffield (D80)\|HMS ''Sheffield'']] were also skimming the sea at very low level. They increased their altitude only for a very short period to get final target information for the attack with their Agave radars. During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], two Ukrainian-made [[R-360 Neptune]] sea-skimming cruise missiles were claimed to have struck and sank the [[Russian cruiser Moskva]].

	Utilising the armament of the [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile]] and based on the mounting and targeting systems of the Phalanx, SeaRAM was developed in response to concerns about the performance of gun-based systems against modern supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. Designed as a companion self-defense system to Phalanx,<ref name="SeaRAM datasheet">Raytheon. [http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/rms/documents/content/rtn_rms_ps_searam_datasheet.pdf SeaRAM datasheet].</ref> the SeaRAM is equipped with an 11-cell RAM launcher and provides defense at a longer range. Due to the common mounting, SeaRAM inherits the relatively easy installation characteristics of its gun-based sibling, with Raytheon stating that SeaRAM "fits the exact shipboard installation footprint of the Phalanx, uses the same power and requires minimal shipboard modification".		== See also ==

	The SeaRAM combines the radar and electro-optical system<ref name=a>{{cite book \|title=Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet \|author=Norman Polmar \|publisher=The Naval Institute \|year= 2005 \|pages=519}}</ref> of the [[Phalanx CIWS]] Mk-15 Block 1B with an 11-cell RAM launcher to produce an autonomous system — one which does not need any external information to engage threats. Like the Phalanx, SeaRAM can be fitted to any class of ship. It is still in trial stages and not currently being procured by the US Navy.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/rms/documents/content/rtn_rms_ps_searam_datasheet.pdf \|title=SeaRAM datasheet \|~~publisher=[[Raytheon~~]] ~~\|accessdate=15 September 2010}}</ref>~~		* [[Lofting (missile)\|Lofting]] (Missile technique)

	In 2008, a SeaRAM system was delivered to be installed on {{USS\|Independence\|LCS-2}}.<ref>{{cite press release \|title=Raytheon Company has delivered its SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense weapon system for installation aboard the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS-2) \|publisher=Raytheon \|url=http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn08_nl/highlight2/index.html \|accessdate=15 September 2010 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606172433/http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn08_nl/highlight2/index.html \|archivedate=6 June 2011 }}</ref>		== References ==

	~~==Use in major wars==~~
	French-made [[Exocet]] missiles were used by [[Argentina]] in the [[Falklands War]] (including the scuttling of [[HMS Sheffield (D80)\|HMS ''Sheffield'']]) and by Iraq against the [[USS Stark\|USS ''Stark'']] in the Persian Gulf during the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. The Argentinian pilots of the [[Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard\|Super Étendard]] planes that attacked [[HMS Sheffield (D80)\|HMS ''Sheffield'']] were also skimming the sea at very low level. They increased their altitude only for a very short period to get final target information for the attack with their Agave radars. During the [[2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine]], two Ukrainian-made [[R-360 Neptune]] sea-skimming cruise missiles were claimed to have struck and sank the [[Russian cruiser Moskva]].

	==References==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	[[Category:Anti-ship missiles]]		[[Category:Anti-ship missiles]]
	[[Category:Low flying]]		[[Category:Low flying]]
			[[Category:Types of missile]]
			[[Category:Naval warfare]]

72.28.191.157: robot: import pages using Special:Import

2022-04-20T15:24:55Z

robot: import pages using Special:Import

New page

{{Short description|Missile flight technique}}
{{see also|Nap-of-the-earth}}
[[File:US Navy 051009-N-7559C-001 The Navy's Flight Demonstration team, the Blue Angels lead solo, performs the sneak pass.jpg|thumb|A US Navy [[Blue Angels]] pilot demonstrates skeet skimming technique in a "sneak pass". The image shows a condensation cloud from a high-speed shockwave. (2005)]]
'''Sea skimming''' is a technique many [[anti-ship missile]]s and some fighter or strike aircraft use to avoid [[radar]], [[infrared detector|infrared detection]], and to lower probability of being shot down during their approach to the target.

==Method==
Sea-skimming anti-ship missiles try to fly as low as is practically achievable, which is almost always below 50 meters (150 [[Foot (length)|ft]]), and is often down towards 2 meters (6 ft). When under attack, a warship can detect sea-skimming missiles only once they appear over the horizon (about 28 to 46 km from the ship), allowing about 25 to 60 seconds of warning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.missilethreat.com/cruise/pageID.1736/default.asp |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-05-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505050941/http://www.missilethreat.com/cruise/pageID.1736/default.asp |archivedate=2012-05-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2006-08-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820230233/http://ausairpower.net/ascms.pdf |archivedate=2006-08-20 }}</ref>

==Advantages==
By flying low to the sea, missiles decrease the range at which the target ships can detect them by a significant amount. Flying at a lower altitude increases the amount of time the missile is under the horizon from the perspective of the target ship, making it harder to detect due to [[Radar#Clutter|radar clutter]] from the sea and similar effects. The real-life success of sea skimming depends on its exact implementation, the sophistication of the detection equipment, as well as the infrared and [[Radar cross-section|radar signature]] of the missile. Sea skimming can significantly reduce the available response time that a ship's [[missile defense]]s have to work within, making these missiles significantly harder to defend against. Sea skimming can also increase the range of a missile, by relying on [[Ground effect in aircraft|ground effects]].

==Disadvantages==
The use of sea skimming increases the risk of water impact with the missile before reaching the target, due to weather conditions, [[rogue wave]]s, [[software bug]]s and other factors. Sea skimming also hinders [[target acquisition]], as many of the principles that hinder the target's detection of the missile also hinder the missile's detection of the target. Furthermore, sea skimming involves a significant computational load, increasing the required processing power and cost.

==Possible defenses==

===Phalanx CIWS===
{{main|Phalanx CIWS}}

The [[Phalanx CIWS]] ([[close-in weapons system]]) is an automated, high-speed defense against anti-ship missiles, designed and manufactured by General Dynamics (now a part of Raytheon). Consisting of a radar-guided {{cvt|20|mm|in}} [[Gatling gun]] mounted on a swiveling base, the Phalanx is used by the [[United States Navy]] on every class of surface combat ship, by the United States Coast Guard aboard its Hamilton-class and Legend-class cutters, and the navies of 16 allied nations. Its effective range is very short relative to the range of modern ASMs, from 1 to 5 nautical miles (9 km).

The CIWS is designed to be the last line of defense against anti-ship missiles. An entirely self-contained unit, the system houses the gun, an automated [[fire control system]] and all other major components, enabling it to autonomously search for, detect, track, engage and confirm kills using its computer-controlled radar system with minimal human oversight. The system takes minimal inputs from the ship, making it capable of functioning despite potential damage to the ship.

The mount moves at a very high speed and with great precision, firing projectiles at a rate of 4,500 rounds per minute from a 1,550-round magazine. The velocity of the rounds once fired is approximately {{convert|3600|ft/s|m/s}}. The rounds are [[Armor-piercing shot and shell|armor-piercing]] [[tungsten]] penetrator rounds or [[depleted uranium]] with discarding [[sabot (firearms)|sabot]]s. The kinetic projectiles are designed to pierce and explode an incoming missile's warhead. The ammunition handling system has two conveyor belt systems.

===SeaRAM===

Utilising the armament of the [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile]] and based on the mounting and targeting systems of the Phalanx, SeaRAM was developed in response to concerns about the performance of gun-based systems against modern supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. Designed as a companion self-defense system to Phalanx,<ref name="SeaRAM datasheet">Raytheon. [http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/rms/documents/content/rtn_rms_ps_searam_datasheet.pdf SeaRAM datasheet].</ref> the SeaRAM is equipped with an 11-cell RAM launcher and provides defense at a longer range. Due to the common mounting, SeaRAM inherits the relatively easy installation characteristics of its gun-based sibling, with Raytheon stating that SeaRAM "fits the exact shipboard installation footprint of the Phalanx, uses the same power and requires minimal shipboard modification".

The SeaRAM combines the radar and electro-optical system<ref name=a>{{cite book |title=Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet |author=Norman Polmar |publisher=The Naval Institute |year= 2005 |pages=519}}</ref> of the [[Phalanx CIWS]] Mk-15 Block 1B with an 11-cell RAM launcher to produce an autonomous system — one which does not need any external information to engage threats. Like the Phalanx, SeaRAM can be fitted to any class of ship. It is still in trial stages and not currently being procured by the US Navy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/rms/documents/content/rtn_rms_ps_searam_datasheet.pdf |title=SeaRAM datasheet |publisher=[[Raytheon]] |accessdate=15 September 2010}}</ref>

In 2008, a SeaRAM system was delivered to be installed on {{USS|Independence|LCS-2}}.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Raytheon Company has delivered its SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense weapon system for installation aboard the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS-2) |publisher=Raytheon |url=http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn08_nl/highlight2/index.html |accessdate=15 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606172433/http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn08_nl/highlight2/index.html |archivedate=6 June 2011 }}</ref>

==Use in major wars==
French-made [[Exocet]] missiles were used by [[Argentina]] in the [[Falklands War]] (including the scuttling of [[HMS Sheffield (D80)|HMS ''Sheffield'']]) and by Iraq against the [[USS Stark|USS ''Stark'']] in the Persian Gulf during the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. The Argentinian pilots of the [[Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard|Super Étendard]] planes that attacked [[HMS Sheffield (D80)|HMS ''Sheffield'']] were also skimming the sea at very low level. They increased their altitude only for a very short period to get final target information for the attack with their Agave radars. During the [[2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine]], two Ukrainian-made [[R-360 Neptune]] sea-skimming cruise missiles were claimed to have struck and sank the [[Russian cruiser Moskva]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Anti-ship missiles]]
[[Category:Low flying]]