Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 58:08-58:36

Could Hermes or Invincible survive an Exocet hit?

Their size made survival after one missile plausible, though the strike could still kill sailors and remove much of the carrier's operational value.

Damage ControlExocet MissileFalklands WarHMS HermesHMS Invincible
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Question

Could HMS Hermes or HMS Invincible have survived a single Exocet hit during the Falklands War?

Short answer

Probably, depending on where it struck, but the missile could still cause heavy casualties and major loss of capability.

Notes

Survival of the hull is different from survival of the mission. HMS Hermes or HMS Invincible would probably remain afloat after one Exocet-class hit because both were much larger than the destroyers and transports most vulnerable to such weapons. The result would still depend heavily on impact location, fire, and secondary damage. Even without sinking, casualties and lost aviation or command facilities could render the carrier operationally ineffective, making damage control and system distribution central to the assessment.