China establishes 'air-defence zone' over East China Sea

[GDS_Starfury]

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=78521

thats a bit more interesting in that the Navy is moving BMD capable ships forward.  IIRC most SM-3 type testing takes place in Hawaii as well.

[mirth]

Maintains the FDNP

the Washington's SLEP will effectively remove it from service for about a year and the Reagan's move is pretty much a non story.

Propaganda. 'Hey we mean it when we say we're serious about the Pacific'.

[GDS_Starfury]

well we've always had a carrier home ported in Japan.  what made the Washington's deployment news worthy was it was the first time Japan allowed a nuclear ship wessel to be home ported there.  they're a little skittish about the nukes ya know.  you also have to read between the lines of all of these stories.  we've removed all of the old OHP frigates from Hawaii and replaced them with Burkes.  thats a lot of added capability.  also the Burke thats replacing the Tico is more capable across the board.

[mirth]

well we've always had a carrier home ported in Japan.  what made the Washington's deployment news worthy was it was the first time Japan allowed a nuclear ship wessel to be home ported there.  they're a little skittish about the nukes ya know.  you also have to read between the lines of all of these stories.  we've removed all of the old OHP frigates from Hawaii and replaced them with Burkes.  thats a lot of added capability.  also the Burke thats replacing the Tico is more capable across the board.

Yeah, I picked on the Reuben James being replaced by a Burke, but that's also somewhat of a fleet wide trend. The Fig-7s are on the way out and there aren't enough Littoral Combat Ships to fill their roles. The Burkes are going to be taking up some of that slack.

The just passed spending bill has $100 million earmarked for BIW to begin planning for a fifth Burke under the current navy contract.

http://bangordailynews.com/2014/01/14/business/initial-funding-approved-for-fifth-ddg-51-destroyer-at-bath-iron-works/

[GDS_Starfury]

it still cracks me up that we call them destroyers.  ;D

[mirth]

it still cracks me up that we call them destroyers.  ;D

Me too. The Flight IIIs will be nearly 10,000 tons.

[Gusington]

We need to name one of our ships the Rick James.

[Centurion40]

We need to name one of our ships the Rick James.

And/or Superfreak.

[Windigo]

We need to name one of our ships the Rick James.

And/or Superfreak.

absolutely   8)

[BanzaiCat]

We need to name one of our ships the Rick James.

So they can go around broadcasting over the ship's PA, "F*ck yo territorial waters, n*ggas?"

[Gusington]

^Yes. And so it can announce its own arrival.

[GDS_Starfury]

China missile tests.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_01_27_2014_p18-657278.xml

the part I found interesting was this:

The U.S. Air Force tested a Mach 15 HGV, the McDonnell Boost Glide Research Vehicle, four times in 1966-68, with two successful flights. A follow-on that represented an operational design, the McDonnell Douglas Advanced Maneuvering Reentry Vehicle (AMaRV), was tested in 1979-80. The tests did not lead to an in-service weapon because of a 1980s focus on basing modes, arms control and missile defense.

and people wonder why I dismiss Chinese technology.  ::)

[mirth]

Great article. Thanks, Star.