The power of the PRC’s new carrier will not be on her flight deck or engines, but in her symbolism, according to Foreign Policy:
It would be a mistake to overstate the strategic consequences of China’s starter carrier. It will not fundamentally alter military balances in the Asia-Pacific region, nor does it threaten U.S. military dominance. Yet it is an important harbinger of things to come. As China’s naval power continues to expand and as Chinese aircraft carriers and escort vessels ply the waters of the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean with increasing frequency, Washington will be forced to examine the underlying assumption of continued military dominance that lies at the foundation of its grand strategy. Given today’s budgetary pressures, clear thinking about America’s long-term interests and challenges is especially essential. The future begins now.
It will probably also provide some comic value to the trailing SSNs, I should think.
Yeah, but it won’t be so comic if the primary 2050 mission of the fleet is reduced to sea denial.
“will probably also provide some comic value” to the SSN’s.
They generally have, regardless of platform.
How many deays at sea do you thinkVayRag will get in her first year?
Did you see the OLS? http://alert5.com/2011/07/28/varyags-optical-landing-system/varyag-ols/
There’s not much there, there, is there?
Speaking of carriers, today is the 44th anniversary of the Forrestal fire. One hundred thirty-four crewmen lost. Rest their souls Dear Father.
“Sailors to the End” is a great read, if you’ve not done it yet.
Lex, you’re assuming we have SSNs.
the important question is “where would she make the best reef?”
after that you just have to bide your time.
She’d certainly make one very nice sonar target as she slid off the Continental shelf into deeper water. Have to time the initial submergence somewhat carefully, however, in order to get the desired effect.
SSNs are the next capital ship. We’d better be building a lot of more them that we are now.
I know you meant SSGN…gotta have warheads to put on foreheads via air mail….otherwise the influence stops at the surf zone.
Gotta have both!
I meant SSN. Part of the WW2 effort was sea denial, as well as taking it for ourselves. We will face the same thing again with the Chinks and will need the fast attack boats just as we needed the fleet SS in WW2. If we could put around 100 or so to sea, then we could deny the ocean to them.
A CV/CVN makes an easier target than one of those slinking SS and a bit of touche back http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/song.htm.