“though DoD did decide to downsize it quite a bit because of the overlap between the F-35C, the F/A-X program”

I’m guessing CODAG.

I’m actually more surprised they didn’t go electric drive. With the on station time they’re claiming, I would have guessed a similar setup to Zumwalt.

You touch on a very important subject that really eludes naval ship cost estimation. Historically it’s always been a weight-based cost model (‘X’ tonnes at ‘Y’ dollars per tonne). This flawed model was also extended to capability as well (‘X’ tonnes means you need ‘Z’ kilowatts available). We’re just now beginning to…

That assumes a broadside impact. I would posit that a CONEMP would use more ballistic trajectories. Let the rounds penetrate topside and, if you’re lucky, exit below the waterline.

That’s right, sailors. Suck in that efflux. Trust, it’s good for you. Develops character. smh

Wine Out. Everything else is second best.

“the parachute makes sure a nose-mounted contact fuse triggers the bomblet”

Nah. The Iraqi Kurdistan government isn’t particularly accepting of the PKK and similar groups. In fact they’re pretty vocally opposed to them.

“Can’t imagine passive sonar would be much use for diesel subs running on battery, but I guess it could work for the nuclear ones.”

“wouldn’t shooting missiles to space from supersonic high altitude aircraft be more effective and require less R&D?”

McRaven? You mean McChrystal. Head of SOCOM vs head of NATO.

“Iraq would never allow it.”

I’m afraid you don’t understand the situation. Turkey fully supports Iraqi Kurdistan autonomy. Can’t say the same about the Canadians though.

The most porous passage is where the refugee camps are. The vast majority are along the Syria-Turkey border.

A note on grating citrus vs a microplane. The depth of cut in a microplane keeps you from reaching the pith which means you leave more of that acrid taste on the fruit and capture closer to pure zest.

“They are not Iraqi Kurds, they are just kurds fighting Sunnis.”

You’re missing the point. It’s not to eliminate daesh completely. It’s to eliminate their positions from Iraq and Turkey before attempting an “international coalition” to send boots into Syria. Also Iraqi Kurds have already been fighting in Kobani and Raqqa.

You’re generalizing populations. Turkey is squarely against the PKK. They’re VERY supportive of the Iraqi Kurdistan government. Going as far as to say that they support an autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan.

1. The US and a handful of commited allies (not a coalition necessarily) need to support the Iraqi Kurdistan government more directly. Stand up a full fledged Iraqi Kurdish defense force (armored units, aircraft, top tier training). They have the boots, the will to fight, and it’ll help their bid for autonomy in the…