Q&A · 1:27:49-1:28:15

Why missile hit location matters more than a fixed count

Hit location matters more than a fixed missile count when judging whether Harpoons could sink a Nimitz-class carrier.

Aircraft Carriers Anti-Ship Missiles Damage Control Harpoon Missile Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers

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Question

How many conventional Harpoon missiles would it take to sink a Nimitz-class carrier?

Short answer

There is no fixed number; perhaps two in critical locations, but far more if the hits miss vital areas.

Notes

A small number of well-placed hits can reach critical spaces, while many poorly placed hits may fail to sink the ship. Compartmentation, damage control, and impact geometry make headline weapon counts unreliable.