subfixer, those were my thoughts exactly: Airbrush out the hovercraft in the background of that one photo, and it'd be hard to tell exactly which war the picture was taken in; and, I get the impression the Iranians are more than willing to trade one homebuilt Tonka Toy submarine for an entire US carrier, if they can get that first antiship missile off, that is.
Don't forget that a WW I German sub that was a lot cruder than this sank three British cruisers just as easy as you please is less time than it took me to type this. It only has to get the weapon off - after that, survival is a "nice to have" but not an essential as far as Command is concerned.
Still ... that's a color more suited to a bathroom wall ... 