The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has developed a range of anti-ship capabilities over the past decade, primarily through the support of Iran. Their arsenal includes a variety of anti-ship missiles, drones, and other maritime strike assets.
Last year, rumors spread that the Houthi’s may have hit the American Aircraft Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and sunk it off the coast of Yemen. Such rumors were quickly disproved, but it does raise the question of what anti-ship capabilities the Houthis poses and whether its possible for them to actually sink an aircraft carrier.
The Houthis Growing Capabilities
First, a little bit of history: the Houthis began acquiring anti-ship missiles around 2014-2015, initially obtaining older Soviet-made P-21 and P-22 missiles (RS-SSC-3 Styx) and Chinese C-801 missiles (YJ-81/CH-SS-N-4 Sardine) from Yemeni military stocks. These early acquisitions provided the Houthis with a basic capability to threaten maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Bab El Mandeb Strait.
Iran has played a crucial role in enhancing the Houthis’ anti-ship capabilities. Since 2015, the Houthis have received more advanced Iranian-made missiles, such as the Noor (C-802) and the Khalij Fars (Persian Gulf), an anti-ship variant of the Fateh-110 ballistic missile. These missiles have significantly improved the range, accuracy, and lethality of Houthi attacks.
In 2016, the Houthis demonstrated their growing capabilities by striking the Emirati troop-transport catamaran HSV-2 Swift and attempting to attack the USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. These incidents highlighted the Houthis’ ability to target military vessels and disrupt maritime operations.
In recent years, the Houthis have continued to enhance their anti-ship capabilities. They have conducted numerous attacks on commercial shipping and military vessels, employing a mix of anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), drones, and speedboats. The Houthis have also paraded an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) called Asif, which closely resembles the Iranian Khalij Fars.
The Houthis’ ability to target ships relies on a combination of coastal radars, drones, and external intelligence sources. While their targeting precision has improved, it remains a challenge, especially against well-defended targets like U.S. warships.
Aircraft Carriers are Surprisingly Hard to Sink
U.S. aircraft carriers, such as those in the Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford classes, are among the most heavily defended warships in the world. These carriers are equipped with multiple layers of defense to protect against a wide range of threats, including anti-ship missiles.
The Aegis Combat System, integrated with the SPY-1 radar, provides advanced detection and tracking capabilities. It can engage multiple targets simultaneously and is a critical component of the carrier’s defense against missile threats. Carriers are equipped with various surface-to-air missile systems, such as the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) and the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). These missiles are designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and aircraft. The Phalanx CIWS is an automated gun system that provides the last line of defense against incoming missiles and aircraft. It uses radar-guided 20mm Gatling guns to rapidly engage and destroy threats. Carriers are also equipped with advanced EW systems that can jam or deceive incoming missiles, reducing their effectiveness. Additionally, carriers deploy various decoys and countermeasures, such as chaff and flares, to confuse and divert incoming missiles.
U.S. aircraft carriers do not operate alone; they are part of a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) that includes guided missile cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. These escort ships provide additional layers of defense and enhance the overall survivability of the carrier. The CSG’s integrated defense network ensures that any threat must penetrate multiple layers of protection before reaching the carrier.
Punching Above Their Level
While the Houthis have demonstrated the capability to threaten and damage smaller vessels, sinking a U.S. aircraft carrier is a significantly more challenging task. The sheer size, defensive systems, and operational tactics of U.S. carriers make them formidable targets.
The Houthis’ anti-ship missiles, while capable, face several limitations when targeting a U.S. carrier. The advanced defensive systems of the carrier and its escorts are designed to detect, track, and neutralize incoming threats. Additionally, the Houthis’ targeting capabilities, while improved, may not be sufficient to accurately strike a moving carrier in a high-threat environment.
U.S. carriers operate with a high degree of situational awareness and employ tactics to minimize their vulnerability. This includes constant movement, the use of electronic warfare, and coordination with other assets such as airborne early warning aircraft and submarines. These tactics further complicate any attempt to target and strike a carrier.
All that to say while the Houthis have developed a range of anti-ship capabilities with significant improvements over the past decade, their ability to sink a U.S. aircraft carrier remains highly unlikely. The advanced defensive systems of U.S. carriers, combined with the integrated protection provided by the Carrier Strike Group, create a robust shield against missile threats. Additionally, the strategic and operational challenges of accurately targeting and striking a moving carrier further diminish the likelihood of a successful attack.
The Houthis’ anti-ship capabilities pose a threat to commercial shipping and smaller military vessels, but the formidable defenses of U.S. aircraft carriers make them resilient against such attacks. However, the Houthis are still a threat. After almost a year of US presence in the Red Sea, they still remain active and continually target any vessel attempting to pass through. The Houthis will likely remain a threat as long as Iranian weapons and funds keep flowing through.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
