The ability of subs to transit oceans, then stay on station unobserved 3 miles from a target, *is* range. The personnel are ancillary to the 12,000 mile in 2 weeks range and jumbo sized ISR/torpedo/missile payload.
Another great post, Sal. If you've seen a map looking toward the mid-Pacific from the Chinese mainland, the first island chain looks like a garrote around the neck of the PLA, PLAN and PLAAF. Now, imagine small Marine units tightening the garrote with 100 nm Naval Strike Missiles, 250 nm SM-6s, and 1000nm Maritime Strike Tomahawks. Their Extended Range MLRS missiles (150km) will soon have a new seeker allowing them to target ships at sea, as will the Precision Strike Missile (499km), the replacement for ATACMS. The firing units will constantly be changing positions, supported by EW and cyber. Working as part of an integrated naval campaign...you know, the kind of thing we did throughout the Pacific War...this will deny the PLAN use of waters inside the first island chain; interdict PLAAF and PLAN bomber corridors, and general play hell with the PLAN. In the words of Steve McQueen in the original Magnificent Seven, we'll deal in lead, friends.
I spoke with former DepSecDef David Norquist about FD 2030. When he was briefed on it, he sensibly asked the China Red Team to take a look. They did, and said long range missiles located up and down the first island chain would be a major headache for China. The DSD not only approved FD 2030, but diverted $500M of OSD money to buy the NSMs, SM-6s and MSTs for the Marines. It wasn't until the NEXT YEAR that the Army got religion and started to procure them, too. I seems to me that after a long period of being unserious, we are finally starting to think like the killers we will need to be to introduce the PLAN to the bottom of the seas.
The ability of subs to transit oceans, then stay on station unobserved 3 miles from a target, *is* range. The personnel are ancillary to the 12,000 mile in 2 weeks range and jumbo sized ISR/torpedo/missile payload.
Another great post, Sal. If you've seen a map looking toward the mid-Pacific from the Chinese mainland, the first island chain looks like a garrote around the neck of the PLA, PLAN and PLAAF. Now, imagine small Marine units tightening the garrote with 100 nm Naval Strike Missiles, 250 nm SM-6s, and 1000nm Maritime Strike Tomahawks. Their Extended Range MLRS missiles (150km) will soon have a new seeker allowing them to target ships at sea, as will the Precision Strike Missile (499km), the replacement for ATACMS. The firing units will constantly be changing positions, supported by EW and cyber. Working as part of an integrated naval campaign...you know, the kind of thing we did throughout the Pacific War...this will deny the PLAN use of waters inside the first island chain; interdict PLAAF and PLAN bomber corridors, and general play hell with the PLAN. In the words of Steve McQueen in the original Magnificent Seven, we'll deal in lead, friends.
I spoke with former DepSecDef David Norquist about FD 2030. When he was briefed on it, he sensibly asked the China Red Team to take a look. They did, and said long range missiles located up and down the first island chain would be a major headache for China. The DSD not only approved FD 2030, but diverted $500M of OSD money to buy the NSMs, SM-6s and MSTs for the Marines. It wasn't until the NEXT YEAR that the Army got religion and started to procure them, too. I seems to me that after a long period of being unserious, we are finally starting to think like the killers we will need to be to introduce the PLAN to the bottom of the seas.
Thanks! This represents a good and long due move. Anything that complicates China's problem and gives those forward deployed more tools in their toolbox is welcome. As for maps, I like this perspective as well: https://twitter.com/RhodesCartogra1/status/1464216856085078022?s=20&t=N_nzD86JRCQmjs6Ac5Ge-Q
Thanks. LOVE the maps!
Typhon was also the cancelled Mach 4 ramjet follow-on to RIM-8 (TALOS). IIRC projected range was ~200 nm in 1962ish.