Anti-submarine missiles repeatedly gain or lose favor as helicopter capability changes. Their basic purpose is to carry a torpedo rapidly to a distant datum, giving a ship another attack option when its helicopter has spent its weapons or cannot respond. Drones with dipping sonar, sonobuoys, or weapons may alter that balance, but vertical-launch-compatible weapons still offer useful redundancy. The submarine's limited awareness above water makes a remotely cued missile-and-torpedo attack especially difficult to anticipate.
Chapter · 52:23-55:01
Anti-submarine missiles deliver torpedoes beyond the ship
Rocket-delivered torpedoes preserve a stand-off attack when helicopters are unavailable or have exhausted their weapons.