New high tech, high-speed ship could rapidly deploy U.S. forces

World Tribune ^ | 28 October 2003 | WorldTechTribune

[WTTed]

Bollinger/Incat is offering the Pentagon a versatile, high-tech ship that “transform” U.S. maritime capabilities—in more ways than one. The 21st century has proven that the United States must be prepared to fight asymmetric wars around the globe--often two or more simultaneously. To effectively fight such conflicts, rapid deployment is absolutely essential. Unfortunately, the Pentagon’s ability to rapidly deploy forces to trouble spots around the globe is lacking.

[Cobra64]

Unfortunately, the Pentagon’s ability to rapidly deploy forces to trouble spots around the globe is lacking.

Compared to the French?

/sarcasm

Who is this dolt?

[jjm2111]

Ooh, a whole 700 tons. That's 10 M-1s. Whoop-dee-doo.

[RightWhale]

Someone keeps pushing cats. The Navy keeps choosing something else.

[r9etb]

Hmmm. Reads like a marketing release.

All's I can say is: if we ever make this decision, it's time to start investing in overseas submarine manufacturers....

[Constantine XIII]

bump!

[AFreeBird]

A Concept PIC from the article

[Fellow Traveler]

I still like the idea of rigid airships. With modern materials and controls the problems of the past should be preventable. You also would not have to mess with port facilities on either end. Imagine you could pickup your load of M1A's directly at Fort Hood Texas and sail away at from 60 to 100 Knots all the way to Iraq. The airship would not be any more vunerable than a C5 or other large transport. You would have to build very large airships. Probably a kilometer long or more. all that would be required in Iraq or anywhere else for that matter is a square mile of secure flat land.

[Fellow Traveler]

I still like the idea of rigid airships. With modern materials and controls the problems of the past should be preventable. You also would not have to mess with port facilities on either end. Imagine you could pickup your load of M1A's directly at Fort Hood Texas and sail away at from 60 to 100 Knots all the way to Iraq. The airship would not be any more vunerable than a C5 or other large transport. You would have to build very large airships. Probably a kilometer long or more. all that would be required in Iraq or anywhere else for that matter is a square mile of secure flat land.

[Quix]

I agree.

Especially if we are not yet able to build the mothership-sized UFO's.

If we are . . . would it be worth it as an interim platform before we chose to use the big UFO's overtly? I don't know.

[rmlew]

The joint vernute is a good idea. It is just far too small. We need a a far larger ship. The Fastship concept looks good. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/hss.htm