Understanding Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs)

Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs) represent one of the most significant developments in modern naval warfare. From their inception during World War II to the advanced systems of today, these missiles have drastically changed the way naval battles are fought.

The Evolution of ASCMs

Historical Beginnings of ASCMs

The genesis of Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs) traces back to World War II, with the first examples developed and built by Nazi Germany using radio command guidance. These missiles, including the Henschel Hs 293 and Fritz X, marked the first instances of short-range guided weapons in wartime. The Hs 293 saw success in the Mediterranean Theatre during 1943–44, sinking or heavily damaging at least 31 ships. A notable variant of the HS 293 was equipped with a TV camera/transmitter, allowing the bomber carrying it to guide the missile to its target by radio control while staying outside the range of naval anti-aircraft guns. The first ship sunk by a guided missile was HMS Egret on August 27, 1943. Other significant hits included the sinking of the British troop carrier HMT Rohna and serious damage to the USS Savannah off Salerno, Italy. These early examples laid the groundwork for more advanced systems that emerged in the subsequent decades​​.

Supersonic and Stealth Advances

Over the decades following World War II, significant advancements were made in the development of supersonic and stealthy missiles. The AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile), a stealth air-launched cruise missile, was developed for the United States Air Force and United States Navy by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This missile, derived from the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, was designed with autonomous targeting capabilities, counter-countermeasures to evade hostile active defense systems, and integrated guidance systems for precision engagement of moving ships. The LRASM’s advanced technologies, including jam-resistant GPS/INS and an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with automatic scene/target matching recognition, represent a significant evolution in missile technology​​.

Offense-Defense Dynamics

The effectiveness of Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs) is increasingly challenged by advanced countermeasures employed by warships. These countermeasures encompass a range of sophisticated systems designed to neutralize or mitigate the threat posed by ASCMs.

One of the primary countermeasures against ASCMs is advanced electronic warfare. The U.S. Navy, for example, employs a system known as the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3. This system is developed to track, deceive, jam, and derail multiple inbound weapons that may be using different frequencies. It employs Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESAs) to emit targeted, individually separated beams, which increases the accuracy and effectiveness of electronic countermeasures. The SEWIP Block 3 is not just defensive; it’s also capable of conducting offensive operations against enemy communications networks, data links, radar systems, or other electronic sources.

Advanced EW systems like SEWIP also aim to minimize the warship’s electronic signature. By transmitting narrower signals, these systems can reduce their detectability, making it harder for enemies to locate the warship. Additionally, these systems can operate in a passive mode, detecting enemy signals without emitting any detectable electronic signature.

Another aspect of modern EW systems is their integration with Information Operations. This integration helps in managing the EW spectrum more effectively and ensures better coordination with other ship systems. This approach provides a more comprehensive defensive capability by combining electronic attacks with information manipulation to maintain battlespace awareness and understand the threat environment.

EW systems provide non-kinetic options for defense, meaning they can neutralize threats without physical destruction. This capability is crucial, especially in scenarios where traditional kinetic defenses (like missile interceptors) might not be effective or desirable due to collateral damage or other tactical considerations.

Looking ahead, there are plans to enhance these systems further. Northrop Grumman, a key contractor for SEWIP, is investing in integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into these systems. This advancement aims to enable the systems to rapidly identify unknown emitters, estimate their nature, and create jamming waveforms on the fly, enhancing the ability to counter complex and evolving threats.