[Jeff Head]

The defending of the carrier would fall principally to the super-Hornets since the F-22 is not navalized. The F-18 will do the job very nicely though.

It will also fall to the escorts who will most likely have to fight off swarms of ASMs and Chinese subs...their newer Song and Yuan classes are capable diesle/electrics, as well as the 12 new Russian Kilos they have and are purchasing. I believe our escorts would be up to the task, particularly when we go in there with at least two carrier battle groups, maybe 3 or 4.

[JamesP81]

Interesting. I had heard talk of a naval version of the Raptor. Perhaps I was mistaken?

I have little doubt that the Ticos and Arleigh Burkes can handle whatever subs and anti ship missiles the Chinese can throw at them.

[GOP_1900AD]

The critical thing many folks seem to miss is that the Shanghai Cooperation Org changes everything. The PRC becomes an extension of the depth of the great steppes. Multiple eschelons of materiel and men .... overland logistics (and, in the Southerly direction, conquest). An Axis rooted in the massiveness of the lion's share of the Eurasian land mass. It is so frightening, most Americans do not want to think about it at all. So they don't ...