The problem I want to point out is that LPD that provides area defenceis going to be an even bigger target than it already is; not just for the aircraft, but for submarines, FACs, cruise missiles, etc., since we are talking about a full scale war scenario. Putting Aegis on LPD is placing an unnecessary risk on…

That’s the problem; a slow, vulnerable ship cannot possibly provide adequate coverage of any kind, and the fact that it is an LPD makes it even worse, because in a shooting war, that would be one big grey bullseye.

And that brings us to the lack of dedicated ASW vessels in the US Navy. Today, a general purpose ship in the USN is an expensive destroyer, while the rest of the world uses much cheaper frigates for the same job, and in turn, the USN wants to turn an impotent and shore-clinging LCS into a ocean-going frigate.

It’s a matter of usefulness of such platform, both operational and fiscal one. The logic of putting one of the world’s best AA systems on a slow amphibious warfare ship is a non-existent one. And logic aside, there is simply no reason for doing that, other than stuffing the pockets at Lockheed.

If LCS is a shooter then I am John Rambo! What’s the point of planting AEGIS on a sluggish cow like LPD? And who would cover the costs of building and operating a naval equivalent of F-35?

Or they can make cash-powered steam turbines. Goddamned Lockmart!

That’s not how naval architecture works. That’s how pipe dreams work.

Jesus Christ, who the hell is going to pay for it!? In a navy that doesn’t even have frigates for ASW and general purpose duties, how can anyone justify parking the most advanced air defence system on a sitting duck of a ship?

Context? Is it something like this?

And there was a whole class of Royal Navy torpedo boats with the prefix Gay; HMS Gay Archer, Gay Bruiser, Gay Charger.....

Where the hell is Wilson!?

No, thanks.

Phased out, but slowly. They are also being modified with new radars and other systems, because there aren’t enough F-22s to take on the air superiority and defense role.

Dude, WTF? May I dare to ask how did you find that?

Why? It was meant for the people not cleared to buy the F-16.

Can you elaborate, because, what you wrote makes absolutely no sense. F-20 was meant to be a cheap export fighter and it got axed because F-16 was released for export to non-NATO allies. Also, Navy vs USAF.

Likewise. A little bit of high-profile leakage every once in a while is a healthy thing.

I’m not sure what do you mean, as Ecclesstone is British. And now, I just have to post this, because Panama:

I really don’t care about the fact that rich racing drivers shelter their money in offshore account; that’s 1960s-vintage news.

For us in the west, light infantry today is applicable to commando-style units one tier below the SOF units. Think of the airborne units, 75th Rangers, Royal Marine commandos, 10th Mountain and so on.