How do the Houthis blow up a US aircraft carrier?

The Houthis already have a strategy to destroy US aircraft carriers. Photo/EPA

WASHINGTON - Houthi threats to Israel and the US have grown louder in the past two weeks following Israel's attack on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and the killing of Hamas' chief negotiator in Tehran.

The group of Shiite fighters has proven more than capable of enforcing a semi-blockade of the Red Sea, and it may only take one lucky strike to sink a major US warship.

How do the Houthis blow up a US aircraft carrier?

1. Houthis Continue to Explore US Aircraft Carrier Weaknesses

Photo/EPA

US media have warned of the "alarming" prospect of the billion-dollar Nimitz-class supercarrier being threatened by the Houthi's technically "unsophisticated" foes.

"Despite the carrier's formidable defenses and advanced technology, continued Houthi harassment has fueled debate about the vulnerability of these ships in the modern combat environment, especially when facing unconventional threats from non-state actorslike the Houthis," National Interest contributor Harrison Kass wrote in an article published on Saturday, reported by Sputnik News.

“Aircraft carriers are very expensive,” the observer pointed out, citing the Nimitz class' price tag at $7 billion per ship, and the newer Ford class's cost at $13 billion per ship. That doesn't include the crew of 4,600-5,200 people, or the planes they own, which cost tens of millions of dollars each.

According to Kass, aircraft carriers are a political tool of great powers. Aircraft carriers are floating cities capable of sending air power around the world. America built their aircraft carrier [fleet] with world powers such as Russia and China in mind. "The Houthi rebels, that's not the case. However, the Houthis seemed determined to disrupt Eisenhower,” Kass recalled.

2. Targeting with Unmanned Missiles

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The $430,800 to $472,000 AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided heat-seeking missile used to target drones and the $2,000 to $20,000 Houthi missile have “proved to be quite effective.”

“Houthi missiles and drones probably do not pose an existential threat to Eisenhower, but the seeds of doubt have been planted,” suggested the journalist, reported by Sputnik.

Kass revealed recent speculation in Western media about whether the Houthis have the means to destroy the American supercarrier. Last month, Forbes contributor David Hambling urged snooty observers not to get too cocky and “take a closer look at the facts before dismissing the threat.”

3. Requires at least 12 missiles to destroy an aircraft carrier

Photo/EPA

Bagaimana Cara Houthi Meledakkan Kapal Induk AS?

WASHINGTON - Ancaman Houthi terhadap Israel dan AS semakin keras dalam dua minggu terakhir setelah serangan Israel di pelabuhan Yaman, Hodeidah, dan terbunuhnya kepala negosiator Hamas di Teheran.

Kelompok pejuang Syiah tersebut telah terbukti lebih dari mampu untuk menegakkan semi-blokade Laut Merah, dan mungkin hanya perlu satu serangan beruntung untuk menenggelamkan kapal perang AS yang besar.

Bagaimana Cara Houthi Meledakkan Kapal Induk AS?

1. Houthi Terus Mengeksplorasi Kelemahan Kapal Induk AS

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Media AS telah memperingatkan tentang prospek yang "mengkhawatirkan" dari kapal induk super kelas Nimitz senilai miliaran dolar yang akan terancam oleh musuh Houthi yang secara teknis "tidak canggih".

"Meskipun kapal induk tersebut memiliki pertahanan yang tangguh dan teknologi canggih, gangguan Houthi yang terus-menerus telah memicu perdebatan tentang kerentanan kapal-kapal tersebut dalam lingkungan pertempuran modern, terutama ketika menghadapi ancaman tidak konvensional dari aktor non-negara seperti Houthi," kontributor National Interest Harrison Kass menulis dalam sebuah artikel yang diterbitkan pada Sabtu, dilansir Sputnik News.

"Kapal induk sangat mahal," pengamat tersebut menunjukkan, mengutip label harga kelas Nimitz sebesar USD7 miliar dolar per kapal, dan biaya kelas Ford yang lebih baru sebesar USD13 miliar per kapal. Itu belum termasuk awak kapal yang berjumlah 4.600-5.200 orang, atau pesawat yang mereka miliki, yang masing-masing menghabiskan biaya puluhan juta dolar.

Menurut Kass, kapal induk adalah alat politik kekuatan besar. Kapal induk adalah kota terapung yang mampu mengirimkan kekuatan udara ke seluruh dunia. Amerika membangun [armada] kapal induk mereka dengan mempertimbangkan kekuatan dunia seperti Rusia dan China. "Pemberontak Houthi, tidak demikian. Namun, Houthi tampaknya bertekad untuk mengganggu Eisenhower,” kenang Kass.

2. Menarget dengan Rudal Nirawak

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Rudal pencari panas berpemandu inframerah AIM-9X Sidewinder seharga USD430.800 hingga USD472.000 yang digunakan untuk menargetkan drone dan rudal milik Houthi seharga USD2.000 hingga USD20.000 telah “terbukti cukup efektif”.

“Rudal dan pesawat nirawak Houthi kemungkinan tidak menimbulkan ancaman eksistensial bagi Eisenhower, tetapi benih keraguan telah tertanam,” saran jurnalis tersebut, dilansir Sputnik.

Kass mengungkap spekulasi terbaru di media Barat tentang apakah Houthi memiliki sarana untuk menghancurkan kapal induk super Amerika. Bulan lalu, kontributor Forbes David Hambling mendesak para pengamat yang sombong untuk tidak terlalu sombong dan “mencermati fakta sebelum mengabaikan ancaman tersebut.”