Did the US ever have the will to produce a Viking sized VSTOL a/c? Sure I’ve seen the pics but I’ve never seen any prototypes.

Daniel: mate thanks for the interest, please allow me to clear up a few issues you have raised…

I find it a little hard to believe that there are pirate vessels out there cruising around with something the size of a 5″ gun on deck. Its a bit hard to hide and you can’t really argue its just for self protection.

Actually it’s quite easy to hide a 5″ gun on a deck, throw a box structure around it and uncover it when you need it, the Germans did this during WWII to sink merchant ships- giving them a false sence of security allowing them to get in close and then springing a trap. The modern day versions would probably be painted to represent local law enforcement ships, thus when the ship is asked to heave to, they automatically comply. I have actually seen a captured priate vessel using this ploy.

I also think that given the coverage that this pirate issue from time to time in the media I have expected to have heard about such an impressive piece of kit there certainly seems to be no mention of it when conducting a web search.

Think about it mate, if you post this info on the web, what would happen to the tourism bureau! Economies would suffer and things would go bad.

The weapons of choice seem to be MGs and maybe an RPG for the better equipped bands. Against such foes I reiterate that a stabilised 25mm autocannon is quite sufficient.

I agree that such a weapon would would be good, but I know first hand, somewhat differently.

The Warfighting Improvement Program was cancelled years ago. The current round of upgrades are from a number of seperate (but obviously related) programs.

The current upgrades are also called WIP’s thought I must admit that this is used in house.

very nice pics though and it is good to see the vessels starting to the “ffited with” rather than “fitted for but not with”.

Sure is damd nice, makes the Anzac’s look mean and mean business with those missiles sitting there like that.

Yeah it is Steve, DCN sign on the side gives it away.
Shame on you Pilotght

They already have a dedicated training carrier, one which is also used in movies as well, it’s the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67.

She was used in the movie Star Trek IV, the Voyage Home. They called her the Enterprise, but this was just for sentimentle reason, at the time the Big E was on patrol in the gulf and wasn’t due back for five months.

CV-67’s deployment takes her down to the Carribean once a monthfor a week, she is due for a refit soon and when she does go in it’s been rhoumored that the Big E will take up the slack as she is now the oldest ship in the carrier fleet.