1)Well I doubt that the U.S. would simply discard a weapon system that some people claim is the next super duper weapon......Why? well simple really it is a bludgeon which has several weaknesses. A very expensive bludgeon as well.
2)Well with out having to go back over old ground India have hardly been speedy with their R&D. Whilst there may be some improvements I doubt they are substantial. After all I remember reading about the Russian's being upset that Brahmos was stealing yahkont customers. If the Brahmos was a quantum leap ahead there would not be a issue they would be in two different classes.
3)Half the battle is knowing where the missile is. If you can track it from 100km away then you can try to knock it down at the extreme of your defensive range (rather than falling back upon close defence systems when it is closer). Also you know where the enemy ship\plane\launcher is. You can then launch counters to them.
4)Now the Sub continent question is a interesting one. The PN for example (with it's defensive posture) could float the Hawkeye 2000's above the defensive line to help as the first layer. Along with a Air CAP. The ships (Chinese) would have HQ-7 (Navalised Crotale,) out at 16 km and less or the HQ-16 (25-32km). Mistral and Phalanx for close protection. There is the option of the RIM-116 (which the phalanx system was recently updated to be suitable for.)
Now if the navy opts for the U-214, then it would open up the MEKO ships with all the goodies on them ......There are plenty of systems that would be suitable against the threat.
5)Ok now the next question is regarding the difference between subsonic and supersonic systems.
a)Subsonic systems can travel in a LO profile all the way through and will be more stealthy because of that.
b)Supersonic missiles have larger RCS and IR signature than a subsonic one.
c)A subsonic missile can maintain a 3~5 meter altitude with little or no problems. A supersonic missile cannot do this.
d)A subsonic missile usually has a bigger seeker aperture and less arduous environment to work in. This would improve accuracy.
e)Subsonic missile would have a lower frequency shift making them more "stealthy" until it is relatively close to the target.
So the problems of a supersonic and Subsonic missile are not the same.
Now intercepts of a supersonic missile.......How about intercepts of a hypersonic missile? Ever heard of A Scud missile? The Patriot system (faulty at the time) managed to shoot a few of those down and they were going Hypersonic. The Rolling RAM is Designed to be able to take down a supersonic missiles (as are most newer systems out there if look)AND aircraft. The RIM-162 ESSM is another........SM2 ,Aster 30 can intercept out to 100km the list can go on and on. the idea that a missile can't be intercepted is daft.If a hypersonic missile warhead can intercepted I think a supersonic one can.
And finally I have given the reasons why it would be detected. If certain people can't comprehend it it shows them in their true lights
keys,
1. It was just a matter of doctrine. Russia needs these supersonic missile to overwhelm and defeat ship defenses. US has it's naval air arm to do that. Compare the number of aircraft carrier US and Russia had. Simple fact is US did not feel the need for it.
2. India has been slow with "scratch development" of system. With Brahmos India designed the guidance system,while Russian implemented the engines, a area where India is week.
Now Russian complaining. First and foremost it was couple of guys in a defense exhibition complaining. Now do we consider that as the official line? Why would Russian complain when they themselves are 50% owner, why would they cry?
By the way how "hot" is Yakhnot sale?
3. It might be in case of aircrafts and ships.. not necessary the case on Mach 2+ missile. You stil have to shoot it down. You would be lucky to get a first hit. The more the miss,it comes nearer to you at 3 times faster than a subsonic ASHM. For example at 100km you have 2 mnts,while for subsonic 6 mnts. You dont have much time do you.
Also detecting a launcher at 300km. lets say even if you do detect.. what will do with it? which is the other ASHM/SAM with such a range?
4.First thing in a conflict, the IN's naval arm will be searching for the Orions and Hawkeye like hell. I am not sure how much they can be "away" from a land based escort.
Subs can target ships,but how many? subs are not a counter for ASHM.
Guns and close in defenses are good for subsonic as even after destruction the debris dont fall on the ships, but supersonic it is not the case.
And as I said... what US has is not necessary every one has.
5.a. But what is the point? It does not matter it is "invisible" al the way through. But it will be detected at the defense radar ranges. Given that both subsonic and supersonic can de detected at the same range,which one do you think would be lethal?
Chinese ASHM has been shot down British ships in the Gulf war. We already have proof that subsonic can be shot down.
b. RCS has to do with shape,not speed. But then as I said you should have highly reactive defense system to handle supersonic missile. Reason..Reaction time. I dont think anyone in the subcontinent currently has such a system.
c. Why not? If this was a problem in the initial days, it is obvious that the developer would like to rectify that. A stronger body can handle the pressure created in low flight.
d. Sorry I am not convinced. If you want bigger and powerful seaker..the missile size will increase. I dont see how this is a "advantage" over subsonic.
e. I am not sure how RCS reduction will help a stealthy subsonic wil be detected at 50 km while a "unstealthy" supersonic at 100. It takes 2 mnts to cover for supersonic while subsonic takes 3 mnts to cover 50 km. Hmm back to the same issue... reaction time...
Scuds.
You are talking about ballistic missiles. Compare the infrastructure required to detect and target a ballistic missile to that for a ASHM on a ship.
Now how do they detected ballistic missile so easily because ..it take ballistic path.
ASHM & cruise? Do they take ballistic path? We are back to the same point .Reaction time... Ballistic path gives more reaction time for tracking.
I say again the points you have raised is "known" for a while. There is a reason India carried on 14 test on Brahmos.