[ProudVet77]

"Wasn't there a little fracas during the 1940's that kept our Navy off that part of the pond for a while?"
Don't tell that to a WWII submariner. :)

JM - I think the Aegis radar is meant for early detection and tracking, once above say 40 or 50 miles altitude we can track it from Pearl, Alaska, Guam etc. The SM3 is meant to hit a ballistic missile at apogee, but I've been hearing more and more about ascent phase missile destruction. It would make sense to mount them on Aegis class ships.

[judicial meanz]

I think you're right on target. The Aegis was just entering service as I left the USN, and its been upgraded heavily to have this capability.

I was a submariner, so we had different but totally devestating toys of our own. Not to detract from the abilities of the surface navy, however.

[PeterFinn]

I did say "off that part of the pond" - not 'under it'.

One of the cool dudes at my church was a squiddy on the Bowfin after doing a tour on the Pampanito. He actually survived a sub sinking in the 30's (the Squalus, I think he said).

He missed the tour on the Pampanito when she sent a brand-new IJN flatop to the bottom.