In a Real Full Blow REAL DEAL war, having additional squadrons on board a CVN would be just as valuable as a few fighters on a LHA. the additional fighters that could be bought by dumping the A model and even the B model would be worth it.

The Carrier wouldn’t be far enough away from the coast to make a difference- as the forward deployed airpower it would need to be closer to shore then you say. otherwise theres no case for a carrier, just a fighter with 2 pilots and multiple refuelings.(also any peer nation would know where it was, and have the capability to attempt attack, so hiding far offshore just makes more work for the carriers)

In a worse case MAF assault against a peer aggressor, 2-3 marine divisions would be attempting to make a beachhead large enough to establish enough room to capture or create an airfield for army reinforcements. In such a ‘All out war’, you would have 2-4 CVN battle groups(probably 2 battlegroups of 2CVN, reinforced with additional squadrons(1-2 each carrier, plus additional support players.)

at the same time, a 5and/or6th CVN/s could be offshore with pure VMFA/VMA squadrons. As the rush would be on to get all troops and supplies on shore ASAP, LHAs would be better served with massed helicopters to move them asap and Attack helos to leave with the advancing troops. You want the landing ships gone ASAP, not sitting around providing a token fighter/CAS element for days to weeks on end.(5-10 14 plane squadrons on CVNs would provide more continuous and substansial FEBA CAS then 3-6 6 plane squadrons on LHAs!)

The surge capacity offered by this arrangement in long range interdiction and more importantly Air defence would be substantial. Also in the event of the loss of a carrier or LHA, fitting B model operations onto already burgening decks wouldnt work, but C models would just slip into the pattern. In an ‘all out’ deal, the US and allies would also need to face up to the very real probable losses, not another ‘100 day war’ job.

Against anything else, then the threat is reduced and the case for the B is even harder to justify. What would Bs do in Somalia, or Yemen or Burma, that attack helos couldn’t do backed with CVNs?

While I hope and think the B model will happen, the savings would be very tempting to any politician. The smart money would be that 1 model of F-35 will be cut. A or B? and any deep look could find that only running the C model would save a bundle, and the lost capability of the B could be made up with extra numbers(bought with the savings in all areas of ops-training,logistics etc) of F-35, or more F-22s to make the skies even safer so CVNs can come closer, and the need for the B wiped out.

Its frustrating to look at from afar. Re-inventing everything to a british standard has cost more money(and in the end capability and troops) more than harrier or ark royal

russian built aircraft that still have this black anti glare panel

the real answer is several-
US stopped after ditching high gloss paint
some aircraft need it because of cockpit angle and paint
all the photos I’m seeing are russian. maybe there are problems with the infrared sensor that make it suseptable to bright spots on gloss paint

I’d much rather here a division of Marines on the way then a division of the USA. They have that ‘something’ that makes them special.

But both have its place.

Accused of:rolleyes:

These are NOT the sort of allegations woman make lightly. You dont apply for an extradition for nothing, or with no evidence. Making it out as made up for political gains is insulting to the women involved, and should not be done until it is proved otherwise. and whatever did happen is not an excuse for Assange(the arrogant person ever) to try and duck his responsibility. If its so unfounded, dont fight the extradition, head back, and prove your innocence. why fight it?

Just also spare a thought to what he has been charged with
I’m a father. I’m sure alot of you guys are
Would you like someone to sexually assualt your daughter, then turn around and claim it political? It may be, it may not be. But if its not, seeing hundreds protest over it would feel pretty bad, wouldn’t it?

Did Clinton,a US president get away with sexual misconduct by saying its political?

So why should assange?

The USMC is one of the world premier and versatile fighting forces. it takes alot more to be a marine then it does to be a GI. basic marines training is comparable to Ranger qualifications… are you suggesting having 200000 trained rangers to replace it? 😮

The USMCs mission is to project US power ANYWHERE in the world, at short notice, and the US army can’t do that by itself. If you want savings, how about cutting some Abrams and Apaches? Last time I checked, the Fulda Gap is no longer a AO:D