The outer layer uses fighters to destroy or break up an incoming strike before weapon release. Area-defense missiles then protect the group, point-defense weapons protect individual ships, and guns and electronic countermeasures address what remains. Each layer reduces the burden placed on the defenses behind it. Enough overlap improves survival, but the enemy still has opportunities to exploit failure, saturation, or luck; warship defense is risk management rather than invulnerability.
Chapter · 44:51-47:12
Layered air defense aims for survival, not invulnerability
Aircraft, area missiles, point defenses, guns, and electronic warfare thin an attack in sequence, but cannot guarantee a damage-free battle.