Command: Modern Operations - Arleigh Burke vs. Zumwalt

[@zanthrasw]

It was really the AAW missiles in ASuW mode that did the Zumwalt in, both the ERAM and later the ESSM which were too fast for the Zumwalt's own ESSM to intercept, the harpoon missiles were a nonfactor and were easially intercepted. The Zumwalt , due to AI limitations in Command Modern Operations, was restricted from launching any of it's own missiles at the Arleigh Burke until allocations slots for weapon salvos freed up. That would effectively mean until all of the 155mm HVP ammo had been exhausted, or the mount damaged. Given that the whole 155mm HVP projectile is lighter than just the warhead of the ESSMs the Zunwalt carried, the AI not being willing to use the missiles in ASuW mode was a pretty strong handicap.

[@fwfs]

That's a good analysis. Indeed, it's easy to see that the Burke's Harpoons were all intercepted and the AAW in ASuW mode did the damage. I didn't know about those particular AI limitations. Good to know.