Even Older Block IV SSNs Remain World’s Most Capable Submarines
In case anyone needs to hear this, even a used Block IV VA-Class SSN is the most capable submarine on the planet. Also, the electronics (sonar, fire control, etc.) get regularly refreshed via the ARCI Program, so in many cases older boats have better gear than newer ones.
Balancing Ops and Maintenance: War Must Continue
““Between this and the operations in South America, you’ve got a certain ratio of operational time to maintenance time that has to be maintained,” said Tom Shugart, a former US Navy submarine captain now at [@cnasdc]. “I would never say...
It's an Ohio‑Class SSGN, Not a Missile‑armed SSBN
That is an Ohio-Class SSGN, not an SSBN (note the dry deck shelter on top), i.e., no Trident missiles onboard.
Chinese Airline Crash Concealed for Four Years by CCP
Apparently a Chinese airline had a murder-suicide pilot-induced crash, and we're only finding out about it 4 years later because CCP reasons no doubt... https://t.co/LXIB1I6jZJ
Navy Destroyer Attacks Challenge Claims of Ceasefire
Once again, U.S. Navy destroyers have been attacked, with no doubt the goal of killing hundreds of American sailors. Yet we're supposed to still be in a "ceasefire"? https://t.co/b8nFSh851i
Undersea Dominance Remains the Last Strategic Hideout
"“being under water matters because it’s one of the last places you can hide,” says Thomas Shugart, a former submariner." Happy to contribute a few words to this superb article on a vital but often-misunderstood topic: the US-PRC undersea balance. https://t.co/bRwMOVyFJE
Ukraine Lessons Demand Disaggregated Command and Control
L: me in @WarOnTheRocks in 2021 R: today's article in @WarOnTheRocks, discussing the need to disaggregate C2 following the lessons of Ukraine: https://t.co/9LJPn7Vtjj https://t.co/DEzkQipu7o
Ending War Cedes Strategic Waterway to Iran
I am neither a neocon nor an Israeli (in fact I try to stay out of politics), but as a navalist I for one will criticize the result if we end the war with Iran in de facto control of...
China’s Missile Buildup Dwarfs US TLAM Deployment to Philippines
Yes, the deployment of likely a handful of TLAMs to the Philippines is SOOO provocative. Meanwhile, during the period the U.S. was bound by the INF Treaty and the PRC was not, China got a head start on building literally thousands...
Blockade by Force Legally Constitutes an Act of War
“A blockade is considered an act of war under international law.” If a foreign power was by force preventing ships from entering or leaving our ports, hunting down our ships on the high seas, is there any chance we wouldn’t consider...
China Poised to Restart Type 071 Amphibious Ship Production
A few thoughts on China's possible restart of Type 071 amphibious assault ship construction. Subscribe for free and read it here at my substack, The Shugart Update: https://t.co/Wv0hif6Ixj https://t.co/yjmKm4ASHF
China Resumes Production of Type‑071 Amphibious Assault Ships
PRC SHIPYARD UPDATE: based on recently-acquired imagery of the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, it looks to me like the PRC may have restarted production of its currently 8-strong Type 071 class of amphibious assault ships. https://t.co/e7aAj3UWqp
New Long-Range Mine Insertion Platform Welcomed
Glad to see this development - we definitely need as many long-range mine insertion platforms as we can get. https://t.co/rzIKA8U98q
Strait of Hormuz Not Truly Open Without
If navigation is not possible for all merchant vessels using the standard IMO traffic separation scheme, and without payment of a toll to Iran, then the SoH is not actually open.
US Blockade of Iran Means War Persists
Reminder: a blockade is an act of war, enforced by violence at sea or the threat thereof. As long as the US blockade of Iran is ongoing, so is the war.