Tax Refund? What’s that?

Tax Refund? What’s that?

“unless one views the LCS role as a “trip wire” so that when China takes an AK-47 and sinks one, the US will get mad.”

Holy ad hominem, Batman!

Wasn’t a Coughlin fan until that Vine. Much respect, Old Man! That’s how it’s done.

“It would also be comparatively cost effective.”

“First, China’s not attacking anyone.”

While I don’t disagree with the reasoning for the laborious routes the coalition aircraft are taking, I think there’s other plausible explanations for France using the StormShadow missile. For example, they could be relying on more perishable intel, and therefore need the ability to reach out further faster.

Looks like the jig is up. Spark’s outed me.

I advocate integration of a cat either flush to the deck or pedestal mounted prt/stbd. While underway, the rail is flush or at a slightly proud (if mounted prt/stbd, less than 18 inches). When it comes time to operate it, it’s fwd end is raised to the necessary incline, it’s aft end is swung inboard so it’s pointing…

These don’t look like Hong Kong Dollar Menus at all.

Yes, a single one at best. I, personally, believe a 100 lb warhead doesn’t have much of a need in a naval engagement. It’s too small to engage large combatants, and too big to carry enough to engage a swarm of fast attack craft. I would probably advocate for a smaller missile along the lines of Spike, Griffin, etc.

Hell no. There’s way too much traffic in that region to risk an accidental shoot down or collateral damage during times of peace.

Source: I worked technology development for the LCS program for many years. It included studying the integration and feasibility of various UAV systems on board (including NGC’s very own BAT UAS).

We have a base in Bahrain, home of the 5th Fleet. We setup 5th Fleet there to manage all US Navy operations in the CENTCOM region. That includes not only the Persian Gulf, but also the Red and Arabian seas. Additionally, several NATO Combined Task Forces (think counter piracy) operate out of the base. The Strait is…

Should have gone full throttle on the carrier.

Admittedly playing devil’s advocate a bit; We know that we atrophy unique military acquisition and manufacturing capability when we leave those major contractors without work. Subs, ships, vehicle armor, etc. All have experienced it some degree or another.

I think they’re going to discover that this is a very bad idea. The aerodynamics are all wrong for this sort of design. During landing the aircraft will be presenting a TON of surface area laterally regardless of ship heading. I’m only aware of one type of landing maneuver performed bay a UAV that addresses this, and…

Damn! They needed every last inch of that elevator.

Not quite. Turkey sees the PKK as terrorists. There’s an important distinction their. They have nothing against the ethnic group that are Kurds. They specifically have a problem with a group of people that identify as the PKK. They’re even being kinder to their own native Kurdish population (including the teaching of…

I don’t disagree, but I think there were more errors from trying to do too much vice not doing enough. Instead of prioritizing economy and healthcare, State Dept tried to do it all squandering billions in trying to build infrastructure where it was immediately needed and spur outside investment (which NEVER comes near…