New PLAN Stealth/Catamaran Fast Attack Craft in Series Production

JEFFHEAD.COM ^ | June 17, 2005 | Jeff Head

[johnny7]

The modern version of the PT Boat.

Compared to what the Germans were prepared to invade England with... the Chinee are ready for Taiwan.

[LS]

I don't either, but my colleagues are going to China this summer, and I plan to pick their brains. While most are libs, they are not blind to the communist presence. The real issue seems to be who, in the race between the free market and "being Chinese," will win.

One of my colleagues---a genius financial expert who is helping Mongolia establish a working currency---was deeply concerned by poll responses there that said that one of the main reasons Chinese students get MBAs and other advanced degrees is to "make China stronger." One would look long and hard to find "make American stronger" a response by American business students.

But, Jeff, as you know, the solution is NOT to just "build more ships" to counter them, but to do EXACTLY what you had the Chinese do in your books, develop a remarkable new technology that makes them obsolete. This is what we did with Star Wars, and it is what U.S. entrepreneurs are best at.

[ASA Vet]

MI Ping

Attention: PRC Desk

[Jeff Head]

The U.S. Navy hopes to test a shape-shifting new catamaran, capable of zipping through stormy seas and landing on hostile beaches by putting it to work ferrying commuters from the Mat-Su to Anchorage.

Sounds like we intend a new class of Amphibious Assault vessel with it. Not a bad idea and probably based on our experiences with the Joint Venture high-speed vessel (HSV-X1) from Australia.

[Jeff Head]

...and we are working on it too. The Chinese know this and they are, I am sure, hoping to come up with their own force multipliers (as they do in the series), or, short of that, move with large numbers before we are prepared.

In all likelihood, before doing so, they will wait for at least these three things:

1. For US forces to be more heavily engaged in the ME.
2. For US forces to get heavily engaged in a second theater...ie. Korea.
3. For a liberal administration like Kerry or Clinton to be in the White Hosue.

If those three things all come together, the western Pacific better watch out IMHO.

[Jeff Head]

They are working to get prepared as fast as they can...and not making any secret about it.

[LS]

Do you have any ideas as to why the Japanese, who are such astounding engineering architects (their incredible airport, bridge, skyscrapers) never seem to make any breakthroughs in weaponry? This should NOT be a government-directed activity, for if you look at the greatest weapons in history, most---save the a-bomb---were developed in the private sector.

[-=[_Super_Secret_Agent_]=-]

"Do you have any ideas as to why the Japanese, who are such astounding engineering architects (their incredible airport, bridge, skyscrapers) never seem to make any breakthroughs in weaponry? This should NOT be a government-directed activity, for if you look at the greatest weapons in history, most---save the a-bomb---were developed in the private sector."


Simple. Japan is getting security welfare from the US. All US navy ships in Japan should leave and you'll see they'll create some wonderful toys.

[B4Ranch]

If you want to make people angry, lie to them. If you want to make them absolutely livid, then tell 'em the truth.

[null and void]

Ah! My new tagline...

[B4Ranch]

Not searching for that popularity trophy anymore, are you?

[nomorelurker]

I've seen the HSV2 Swift from only about 200 yards away. Neat ship. Very little wake in an area that normal cargo ships create a large one quite often.

[null and void]

Nah, they're too hard to dust anyway...

[Jeff Head]

Actually the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force is arguably the second best Destroyer Navy in the world, second only to the US>

They have a number of vry innovative designs, and not just destroyers, but Amphibious Assault and subs too.

The license built, Kongo AEGIS destroyer class.

Fur of the newer MUrasame Class, note the VLS in front and helo facilites at rear.

The Amphibious Assault Ship Osumi. (Looks VTOL JSF capable to me.)

The proposed design of the next Japanese "carrier". Looks jump jet capable to me.

[Grampa Dave]

Got to the link below for our low cost and enjoyable cat alternative.

http://www.craigcat.com/index.html

[Jeff Head]

LIke to see us build a whole class of them, with CIWS, RAM, VLS, etc. for prtection

[Jeff Head]

Hehe...ChiComms better watch out buddy!

[rbmillerjr]

resource bump

[B4Ranch]

Jeff, I think what grabs me so hard is that we appear to be financing this military build up. We gave them every ton of steel from the World Trade Centers and it is going to bite us hard someday.

Their missile programs are running full forward while we fool around with UAV's. The Yuan class sub is mass produced in China while we mass produce anti patriots..

The technology that Israel sold them (100 separate contracted sales of military and dual use technology) will further their attack planning. Israel is the #2 supplier of weapons to China - behind only Russia.

Here we are trying to save the world in 135 different countries when we need to be building our military stronger than its ever been. Fighting wars in two countries and leaving our borders wide open. I keep thinking of Soviet leader, Kruscheov and him slapping his shoe on the podium. What President is going to mimic him out of frustration when it becomes obvious we've lost before the first shot is fired?

Are we working on these Free Trade programs for China or some other bunch of Communists? All I can say is that I hope the very first missile lands in my driveway on Christmas Day when the entire family is at home. Surrendering just isn't my style.

[Countyline]

hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm?????

Taiwan?

What plans require various types of sea vessels?

China is in a big build-up mode.