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JA Boomer,
I am not going to try to convince you any more as I think you see my points even if you do not agree with them (which is OK). I do see your points as well.
Just one last comment on the Netfires thing. The current "packaging" of Netfires can be a good thing. A ships compliment (theoretically) of Netfires can be replinished or event augmented while the ship is at sea by simply bringing in new 15-pack 4x4x6 boxes. I think the Navy pretty much gave up on the idea of re-loading the Mk41 VLS while a ship is at sea (I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong in this).
I like the Netfires idea a lot (as you can tell) and wish someone would come out with a Netfires-like missile/launcher designed for short/medium range anti-air. Unlike the Mk41, the Netfires launcher only takes up space/weight/cost on your ship when it is deployed. The Mk41 adds to the cost of your ship as well as adds weight and reduces space even when the cells are empty. The Netfires launcher could even (in theory) be deployed on cargo ships, USVs, LHDs, ... basically any surface craft big enough to carry the weight of it. It is modularity taken to the next level beyond the traditional VLS.
Please keep in mind I am not saying that the current PAM missile used in Netfires is the be-all-and-end-all (slow, small-warhead) but the concept is a very good one and I hope it gets expanded on in the future. I am also not saying the Netfires concept can completely replace traditional VLS systems used on large warships such as the Burkes, Ticos, ...
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