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Swift Sword · 11-25-2005, 11:39 AM

Hi Guys,

I voted for amphibious assault ships but not as assault craft per se but the fact that they appear to be quite capable multi role vessels.

Specifically, I would think that the Navy could use more vessels like the USS Wasp and USS Tarawa.

These types of vessels can handle the grunt transport and grunt support roles that seem to be important these days as well as serve as floating bases for littoral combat and patrol.in the future.

By varying the mix of aircraft, standoff weapons, small boats and troops, these types of craft might be very ideal for proposed littoral missions. Such a ship could stay outside of littoral waters and use aircraft and standoff weapons to support small patrol craft that it could depoly into those waters as well as put ashore quite deadly landing parties and infantry patrols as neccessary with good air support.

When we consider the possible addition of "ski jump" type flight decks and land attack and antiship cruise missles, the capabilities look even more attractive.

While I have a soft spot for battleships, I think that the arguments against new builds are quite strong and there just are not enought hulls available to make reactivation of the Iowa class practical.

If six hulls were available, I would be much hotter on the prospect.

While combat capability and general utility of the Iowa class ships is not in doubt, I would think that spares and staffing would be a serious issue. There are a lot of parts that have become unavailable and alot of occupational specialties that might be hard to shake out of the staffing tree.

Too, many potential and existing troublespots are landlocked or otherwise beyond the range of battleship guns even with 100 to 200 mile range gee whiz rounds.

11-25-2005, 11:39 AM	#189 (permalink)
Swift Sword *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 10-23-05 Location: Carl Perkins' Cadillac Posts: 779	Hi Guys, I voted for amphibious assault ships but not as assault craft per se but the fact that they appear to be quite capable multi role vessels. Specifically, I would think that the Navy could use more vessels like the USS Wasp and USS Tarawa. These types of vessels can handle the grunt transport and grunt support roles that seem to be important these days as well as serve as floating bases for littoral combat and patrol.in the future. By varying the mix of aircraft, standoff weapons, small boats and troops, these types of craft might be very ideal for proposed littoral missions. Such a ship could stay outside of littoral waters and use aircraft and standoff weapons to support small patrol craft that it could depoly into those waters as well as put ashore quite deadly landing parties and infantry patrols as neccessary with good air support. When we consider the possible addition of "ski jump" type flight decks and land attack and antiship cruise missles, the capabilities look even more attractive. While I have a soft spot for battleships, I think that the arguments against new builds are quite strong and there just are not enought hulls available to make reactivation of the Iowa class practical. If six hulls were available, I would be much hotter on the prospect. While combat capability and general utility of the Iowa class ships is not in doubt, I would think that spares and staffing would be a serious issue. There are a lot of parts that have become unavailable and alot of occupational specialties that might be hard to shake out of the staffing tree. Too, many potential and existing troublespots are landlocked or otherwise beyond the range of battleship guns even with 100 to 200 mile range gee whiz rounds. Last edited by Swift Sword : 11-25-2005 at 11:43 AM.