A
Wasp class LHD and T
arawa LHD are rather tempting targets. I hope that author was mistaken about the number of escorts. A single
Aegis cruiser, Destroyer, Frigate, and sub seems rather paltry. 4
OH Perrys and/or
Spruance class destroyers are a nice outer ring ASW. A single Tico and
Arleigh Burke would work nicely for AA. Still, this force would be in real trouble unless we had air superiority. The
Harrier II+ (AV-8B+) are nice, but short ranged and slow. In 10 to 12 years, this type of force would be better off with the new
F-35b. For this type of littoral work, the planned
DD-21 Zumwalt seems like a good fit. Too bad we are only planning to buid 32 of these to replace twice as many OH Perry Frigates and Spruance Destroyers.
Until this is rectified, we better have a CVBG nearby if things get rough.
While it may seem paltry, it sure beats deploying with ZERO organic escorts as ARGs have done for many, many years. Don't worry, if they intend to mix it up with an enemy having some significant air or naval capabilities, they'll get plenty of help from CVBGs and/or USAF.