Originally posted by Marco_Simone:
Impossible.
Let's say the Nimitz launches a full scale strike package of 12
A-6s,12 S-3s,24 A-7s each armed with 2 Harpoons.That's 96
Harpoons.Of the 96 launched,let's say 90 would reach the target
(the other 6 would not due to technical glitches)There are 22 ships
in the Jap task force.Let's say 6 Harpoons each for the 6 carriers
and 2 battleships.Mind you the two battleships are not of the
Yamato class.They were of the Hiei-class.Indeed,they were built as
battle cruisers during WW1 and conveniently designated as
battleships before WW2.They had weak armour so I think they will
succumb to 6 Harpoon hits.Furthermore,Japanese damage control was
pretty weak throughout WW2.The first strike would most likely take
out all of the 6 carriers and 2 battleships.
48 Harpoons for the main body.Still got 48 Harpoons right? 1
Harpoon would be enough for each destroyer.Maybe 3 Harpoons for
each of the 3 cruisers.Still 27 Harpoons left.Indeed,96 Harpoons
for the first strike would a bit of an overkill!
Now would the strike force have the chance of launching their
Harpoons? Yes.The maximum range of this ASM is round 60-70nm.Of
course they would try to launch them nearer,say 40-50nm to increase
the chances of a hit.IJN CAP patrols were usually positioned very
close to the main body of carriers.Around 10-20nm.Hence,the Zeros
would not have the chance of seeing what hit their mother
ships.Furthermore,the Zero(maximum speed=300+ knots) was too slow
to catch up with a Harpoon(cruising speed=650 knots),let alone
shoot it down. When the Harpoons were inbound,the Jap ships would
try to evade but in vain because the Harpoons were radar
guided.
Another point you mentioned is that the Nimitz would run out of
ammo before the Jap task force was totally destroyed.
Impossible.Even without Harpoons,there were still countless
bombs-laser guided and dumb alike.And you stated that the Jap task
force would chase after the Nimitz. The Nimitz is a huge ship but
she is no slow snail. She is capable of 35 knots.Yes,the Jap task
force without the carriers and battleships was also capable of that
speed,but do they have the endurance?[b] The Nimitz is nuclear
powered mind you.Do you know she can cruise for 13 years straight
without "refuelling"?[/b]
Despite nuclear carrier can cruise 13yrs without refueling...Can
it carry enough food for 5000 people for 13 yrs? Replenish still
need to be done for every 60days...
