CV32

I'd agree that its an ambitious or optimistic (at best) outlook, among several, including a perhaps even more unlikely "nuclear powered destroyer". That said, 2023 is a long ways away, and who's to say what the political/economic/military situation in Russia (or elsewhere) will be? Would anyone in 1985 have bet that the USSR, twelve years later, in 1997, would have looked the way it did? They may not have a nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the water by 2023, but who knows what might be on the slipway.

No doubt Pakistan will be interested in exploring the integration of their own Babur (Hatf VII) cruise missile.

Assuming that the USA would intervene militarily in such an event (not a sure thing, imho), and of course, considering the current Virginia performance level, are you certain?

From Aviation Week's Ares blog [excerpt]

From DefenseNews [excerpt]

I agree, and is probably missing the point with an assumption that Shi Lang is meant to go head to head with the US Navy. I don't think that was ever the intention.

LM has a new official website for the F-35 here.

Another reportedly successful test. Maybe the wrinkles have finally been ironed out?

Yes, or alternatively with eight more of the SM-2MR Block IIIA. Interesting to note that these SM-2's are apparently range limited (to 33 nm) due to the lack of a 3-D radar. (I will be updating the Adelaide FFG-UP entry in the HCDB accordingly).

Not sure I'd call an Iranian Tomcat a "beautiful girl" but I suppose its the aircraft, not the air force. Cue Tony.

From Defense Aerospace [excerpt]

Given the size and nature of the US Navy, and its missions, I think I have to agree that building a fleet of diesel-electric submarines for front line service is probably not the best idea. That said, I do see the value in investigating conventionally powered submarine technology, including AIP and other emerging tech, and I don't agree that non-nuclear submarines are necessarily "old tech". Afaik, the US Navy gained valuable experience from its lease of Sweden's Gotland, and having a small 'research' fleet of conventionally powered subs could provide that kind of value on an ongoing basis. As well as getting a foot in the door on potentially providing such submarines to allied powers who cannot afford to operate nukes (e.g. Taiwan). Of course, that implies a budget for such things, but that's nothing new. Know your enemy.

Hard to disagree ...

Ruger did a special run of their .380 LCP after this, called the Coyote Special.

Two opposing points of view: US Navy Needs Diesel Submarines and Old Tech Isn't the Answer

Rumours floating around the Web now that he has died.

Heh, I'd like to say Yes. A hypothetical, fact based (i.e. working from a known data set), forum based game, with weekly (or less) turns, aimed at completion within 6 to 12 months, and based upon one of the following scenarios: 1. Red Beach: Soviet amphib assault 2. Kola Strike: Carrier attack on the Kola 3. Strait Jacket: PRC vs Taiwan/USA 4. Kick down the Door: Strait of Hormuz Though No.4 garnered the most votes, my personal preference would be for one of the other three, or some other idea if folks want to make suggestions. The South China Sea (Spratlys/Paracels/etc) comes to mind as a potential option.

From The Hill [excerpt]

Lots of chatter around the Web about this latest issue with LCS, and more particularly, USS Independence ... From Defense Aerospace [excerpt] and [excerpt]

From China SignPost [excerpt]

From DefenseNews [excerpt]

Good find, T!

More details of that early B-2 strike (and B-2 ops in general) ... From Aviation Week [excerpt]

I think most would probably agree that Nazi Germany would have had to face a Communist Soviet Union eventually. Their 'co-operation' up to June '41 had been a marriage of convenience at best, with plenty of distrust on both sides. Weather and the sheer distances involved were killers for the German offensive, but the push to the Baku oilfields instead of onward to Moscow sealed the deal, imho.

From Aviation Week [excerpt]