What constitutes anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and what sensors and missiles are commonly used to counter surface combatants?

• A. ASuW targets surfaces ships and uses radar/EO/IR sensing and missiles such as Harpoon/Exocet, along with guns and decoys; layered defense and area denial strategies complement.
• B. ASuW refers to anti-submarine warfare using sonar; torpedoes and depth charges are primary tools.
• C. ASuW involves only cyber attacks against ship sensors.
• D. ASuW uses only visual signaling and ramming.

Answer: (A)

Anti-surface warfare centers on detecting and defeating surface ships at sea. To find and engage targets, sensors like radar for surface search and tracking, plus electro-optical/infrared systems for identification and targeting, are key. The main weapons used to neutralize surface combatants are anti-ship missiles such as Harpoon and Exocet, which can be launched from ships (and other platforms) to strike at ranges beyond gun power. Guns and decoys play supporting roles—guns for closer-range defense and decoys to mislead incoming missiles and reduce hit probabilities. A layered defense and area-denial mindset ties it together: early detection, layered escorts, and complementary weapons and countermeasures to protect ships while denying the enemy freedom of action. Other options describe anti-submarine warfare, cyber attacks, or far more limited tactics like signaling or ramming, which do not represent ASuW.