Q&A · 2:30:06-2:30:23

Which modern ships can absorb an anti-ship missile hit

Most modern warships are vulnerable to a mission kill from one missile, while carriers have the mass to absorb more damage depending on impact location.

Question

Are any modern warships unlikely to be mission-killed by a single anti-ship missile?

Short answer

Large carriers have the best chance because of their mass, but survivability still depends heavily on where the missile hits.

Notes

No ordinary surface combatant can be assumed to shrug off a missile strike. A few ships might survive two hits, but they are mostly aircraft carriers. Their size gives them more structure and internal volume with which to absorb damage. Even for a carrier, the result depends on where the missile lands, because a strategically placed hit can disable essential systems without sinking the hull.