US Navy Aircraft Carriers vs. China’s DF-26 “Carrier Killer” Missile

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington DC) The argument that Chinese “carrier-killer” anti-ship missiles make U.S. Navy aircraft carriers obsolete is so familiar it is almost cliche, given some of the often less recognized context or collection of variables that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the overall threat equation. 

China’s DF-26, an anti-ship missile tested and “demonstrated” by the People’s Liberation Army reportedly able to travel 2,000 miles to destroy carriers, does present a credible threat to be taken seriously. Yet much of the hype seems to leave out certain critical comments made by senior U.S. Navy leaders and various adaptations the modern Navy has made to respond to or “counter” China’s often-discussed A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) strategy.

Ship Defenses, Electronic Warfare (EW) & Aegis

For many years now, U.S. Navy leaders have been clear that its carriers will sail “wherever” they need to project power.

What might this mean? In the face of China’s “carrier-killer” anti-ship missile threat, the U.S. Navy continues a firm resolve to sustain the operational effectiveness of its Carrier Air Wings and Carrier Strike Groups.

Why? There are many relevant elements of layered ship defenses, of which details are likely not available for security reasons, yet senior Navy leaders, innovators, and weapons developers have been very clear about a wide range of enhancements to carrier security. 

Generally speaking, many of these details fall within the realm of electronic warfare technologies able to find and locate a “line-of-bearing” or signature of an approaching enemy ballistic, air, and cruise missiles and “jam” or “disable” the RF signal or guidance system.

Many Navy surface ships, likely including carriers, are being armed with laser weapons able to both perform optical functions and incinerate or intercept incoming threats at the speed of light.