Soviet SSGNs could bring a large anti-ship missile salvo within range of a NATO formation. Against a carrier group, the intended attack combined missiles from several submarines and aircraft approaching from different directions to saturate the defences. Coordinating those attacks required communications that could force submarines close to the surface and make them vulnerable before launch. An Oscar's larger salvo might threaten a weaker group by itself, although getting a missile through remained conditional on the defences encountered. Airborne early warning and patrols mattered because a group that detected the missiles late would have much less time to respond.
Notable Point · 1:18:30-1:20:37
Coordinating Soviet SSGN and aircraft missile salvos
Missile mass mattered alongside coordination: Soviet submarines and aircraft needed attacks from several directions, while the necessary communications exposed boats before launch.