The Independence class
Littoral Combat Ship USS Gabrielle
Giffords (LCS-10) is in the waters off Guam taking part in
exercise Pacific Griffin, during which she fired off a Naval Strike Missile
(NSM). This is a big deal considering giving the LCS more combat punch and a
far longer kinetic reach has been a long time
coming and the Naval Strike Missile is an incredibly
capable and relevant weapon, as is its even more advanced cousin,
the Joint Strike
Missile. Images and video from the launch were interesting,
but one image, in particular, serves as a unique example of one of the basic
tenants of low-observable "stealth" design.
The Navy Strike Missile, which is a
product of Norway's Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, was designed with reduced
radar cross-section in mind, and especially from the head-on aspect from which
it will barrel towards its maritime target. The missile uses passive imaging
infrared, not radar, to locate and attack its prey. As a result, it doesn't
give away its presence by emitting RF radiation during its terminal phase of
flight. It also isn't susceptible to 'soft kill' electronic warfare tactics
like jamming. In addition, its small radar cross-section makes it hard to spot
on radar as it skims low and fast over the waves.
Generally speaking, warships depend
on a missile's radar emissions and its radar signature to detect it and defend
against it. Lacking one of these things entirely and manifesting the other in
very limited quantities, you can imagine that the Naval Strike Missile is one
diabolical and deadly anti-ship cruise missile. Oh, it also has a secondary
land-attack capability, too.
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