Cringing as I type this, but have to wonder what our plan actually is. How quickly would a DDG's VLS cells be emptied shooting down drones / cruise missiles? Shudder to think we might be plinking low value targets at the expense of the ability to defend ourselves or hit the "real" target when the time comes. Iran seems to have enough med…
Cringing as I type this, but have to wonder what our plan actually is. How quickly would a DDG's VLS cells be emptied shooting down drones / cruise missiles? Shudder to think we might be plinking low value targets at the expense of the ability to defend ourselves or hit the "real" target when the time comes. Iran seems to have enough media plausible deniability to keep public opinion away from ground truth, meaning we could find ourselves on the wrong end of a UN resolution condemning us for "escalation" if we hit them. Our forces will defend themselves competently (I hope and pray). We're now in the WEZ of multiple unfriendly entities, can't rule out someone deliberately targeting us to escalate and broaden the conflict. Looking for candidates to do that produces a long list with little or no effort.
I doubt we'd pull into Israel right now, and Bahrain would be a better choice, since we have a long-standing secure base there. That has issues too, what with Iran very nearby.
How about we have us a Hawg round up. Fit them boys out with a bunch of hydra rockets with APKWS kits and go plinking drones. Seems like a cheaper alternative than SM2's... just saying
You're not wrong about the Navy not having a variety of cost effective weapons to deal with drones. In this case, the 5" Mk45 gun was one of the weapons systems utilized and arguably the most cost effective in this case. Not sure how many rounds were fired or, how many engagements (we'll have to be patient) but, rather interesting the drones (not engaging a missiles with a deck gun) was on a flight path that put them in-range of the Carney.
Cringing as I type this, but have to wonder what our plan actually is. How quickly would a DDG's VLS cells be emptied shooting down drones / cruise missiles? Shudder to think we might be plinking low value targets at the expense of the ability to defend ourselves or hit the "real" target when the time comes. Iran seems to have enough media plausible deniability to keep public opinion away from ground truth, meaning we could find ourselves on the wrong end of a UN resolution condemning us for "escalation" if we hit them. Our forces will defend themselves competently (I hope and pray). We're now in the WEZ of multiple unfriendly entities, can't rule out someone deliberately targeting us to escalate and broaden the conflict. Looking for candidates to do that produces a long list with little or no effort.
and where do you go to restock? Rota? DG?
The closest that might be able to is Sicily, I think. Otherwise probably Rota.
Possible for either Israel (via Gulf of Aqaba) or Saudi Arabia can restock?
I doubt we'd pull into Israel right now, and Bahrain would be a better choice, since we have a long-standing secure base there. That has issues too, what with Iran very nearby.
Not Souda Bay?
Souda Bay, nice place, ever been there?
9 miles long, by 1 1/4 miles wide.
Belongs to Greece and Crete.
Missile base.
Crete. I know some guys who went there for maintenance ops.
Naples?
Maybe Souda Bay??
How about we have us a Hawg round up. Fit them boys out with a bunch of hydra rockets with APKWS kits and go plinking drones. Seems like a cheaper alternative than SM2's... just saying
The emptying of the cells worries me, as well.
Aviation Sceptic says: "How quickly would a DDG's VLS cells be emptied"
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That's a problem because VLS cells can not be replenished at sea.
You're not wrong about the Navy not having a variety of cost effective weapons to deal with drones. In this case, the 5" Mk45 gun was one of the weapons systems utilized and arguably the most cost effective in this case. Not sure how many rounds were fired or, how many engagements (we'll have to be patient) but, rather interesting the drones (not engaging a missiles with a deck gun) was on a flight path that put them in-range of the Carney.
See last paragraph-
https://news.usni.org/2023/10/23/uss-dwight-d-eisenhower-midway-across-atlantic-en-route-to-the-middle-east