USS George Washington (CVN-73). Wikipedia
Jerry Hendrix, National Review: The U.S. Navy Needs to Radically Reassess How It Projects Power
A battle of the hawks is raging on Capitol Hill. Defense hawks say the nation’s security will be endangered if the caps imposed under the 2011 Budget Control Act aren’t lifted, allowing for more defense spending. Fiscal hawks assert with equal vehemence that the nation’s long-term economic health — the foundation for all government activities, including defense — will be permanently harmed if burgeoning deficits and debts are not addressed. Defense hawks argue for a massive investment to maintain the United States’ position as the world’s strongest power. Fiscal hawks argue for innovative improvements in efficiency to sustain U.S. leadership.
This argument as it regards the U.S. Navy is taking place with special vigor. The budget will have serious consequences for the size of the fleet and its ability to maintain combat readiness, which in turn will have consequences for U.S. strategy. If the Navy wants to address its budget crisis, its falling ship count, its atrophying strategic position, and the problem of its now-marginal combat effectiveness — and reassert its traditional dominance of the seas — it should embrace technological innovation and increase its efficiency. In short: It needs to stop building aircraft carriers.
Update: A former Navy captain just identified the biggest flaw in the US aircraft-carrier strategy -- Jeremy Bender, Business insider
WNU Editor: This is a sobering must read.
1 comment:
Aircraft carriers have always been giant targets that doesn't surprise anyone, they've just become easier targets with the proliferation of missile technology.
Which is why the navy has invested so heavily in laser technologies to knock these threats out and keep our military superiority
Should we have less aircraft carriers and more frigates and subs would be a good discussion.
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