These missions, military analysts say, are designed to send a crystal-clear signal: The United States can threaten China’s fleet and Chinese land targets at any time, from distant bases, without having to move America’s aircraft carriers and other expensive surface warships within range of Beijing’s massive arsenal of missiles.
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The other signal is that our expensive Navy surface ships are only effective against poorly armed countries, and for cleanup operations after the war is over.
Run silent.
Run deep, baby...