Defending ships against near-surface UUVs

Could UUVs revive short-range ASW rockets, or can existing weapons handle them?

Existing ASW shells, depth charges, and helicopter guns can address many current threats, though larger deeper UUVs may renew demand for specialized rockets.

Short-range ASW rockets could return, but existing anti-submarine shells and depth charges may cover many near-term UUV threats. The Ukraine war shows a simpler method against vehicles close to the surface: a helicopter using a heavy machine gun. Russia's difficulty making that protection routine points to maintenance and readiness problems in its helicopter force rather than a lack of a workable tactic. Atlantic navies might eventually use rotary-wing UAVs for the same patrol and engagement role. Larger or deeper future UUVs would push the response back toward conventional ASW weapons.