http://social.fool.com/blog/43986270146?...LnkdPostIM
So what do we get for a mere $1.46 billion?
That's all well and good except for the fact that the Marines have not conducted a major assault on a "hostile beachhead" since Inchon in 1950. We are building support ships for an anachronism. This is hardly news. The issue has been raised before.
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2...Last-Fight
Once again, jobs seem to be primary driver of our defense choices whether we need them or not.
Quote:According to recent media reports, the U.S. Navy has just floated a plan to grow its battle fleet from the current 273 warships to 355 -- an increase of 82 ships. So file this story under "one down, 81 to go."
On Monday, the Pentagon issued its regularly scheduled daily digest of contracts awarded to defense contractors. Topping the list was a $1.46 billion award to Huntington Ingalls (NYSE: HII) to proceed with construction of USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).
So what do we get for a mere $1.46 billion?
Quote:Described as an "amphibious transport dock," Fort Lauderdale belongs to a class of warships designated LPD (for "landing platform dock"), and that is sometimes referred to as the "LPD 17-class" (so named because the lead ship of the class was LPD 17), and other times as a "San Antonio-class ship" (because LPD 17 is named the USS San Antonio). Its purpose is to carry hovercraft, amphibious tanks, helicopters, and tilt-rotor aircraft filled with Marines to assault hostile beachheads.
That's all well and good except for the fact that the Marines have not conducted a major assault on a "hostile beachhead" since Inchon in 1950. We are building support ships for an anachronism. This is hardly news. The issue has been raised before.
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2...Last-Fight
Quote:In 2010, then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates made waves when he ordered the Pentagon to take a hard look at the Marines to determine what, if any role they would play in the future of warfare.
“All of the military services have been challenged to find the right balance between preserving what is unique and valuable in their traditions, while at the same time making the changes necessary to win the wars we are in and prepare for the likely future threats in the years and decades to come,” he said. “Looking ahead, I do think it is proper to ask whether large-scale amphibious landings along the lines of Inchon [the Marine’s invasion of the Korea peninsula in 1950] are feasible.”
Once again, jobs seem to be primary driver of our defense choices whether we need them or not.
