From: dpe@inel.gov (Don Palmrose)
Subject: Re:  New Carrier Plan
Organization: INEL EG&G Idaho
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 13:32:43 GMT


From dpe@inel.gov (Don Palmrose)

In article <Bvq482.Ctw@law7.DaytonOH.NCR.COM>, gallaghe@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Michael Gallagher) writes:
> 
> 
> From gallaghe@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Michael Gallagher)
> 
> 
> In sci.military, randy@ms.uky.edu (Randy Appleton) writes:
> 
> >realities will *require* substancial cuts in defence budgets.
> >
> >Here is my latest hair-brained idea.  From what I read, a modenr
> >carrier has about 16 ASW helocopters aboard.  Why cannot we replace
> >these with F-18's (there seem to be enough).  This woudl trade ASW
> >strength for air power.
> 
>     Your logic is really hair-brained!
> 
>     How are we going to save $$'s (implied by your statement to make
> "substantial cuts") by throwing away perfectly useful and needed equipment
> (ASW assets) for more F-18s?
> 
>     Do you know of a stockpile of F-18s available free for the taking?
> 
>     The submarine threat has not gone away (note Irans purchase of 3
> surplus diesel subs from Russia).
> 
>

Here's my $0.02 worth.  One must remember that the aircraft loading on a 
carrier is NOT FIXED!  There is a "standard" load out for deployment that is
a compromise between the different warfare areas (AAW, ASW, ASUW, Strike...).
However, if the battle group is going on a particular mission (i.e. Desert
Storm) one of the warfare areas can have its number of planes reduced and
compensated by another.  Using the Desert Storm example, there could be less
ASW assests on the carrier in favor of more Strike planes.  It also depends
on what other assests are in the area.  If a carrier is operating in an area
with many land ASW aircraft nearby, the ASW load **might** be reduced to 
increase, say, the AAW area.  For example, a carrier task group in the Med
might have 3 to 4 subs and lots of help from other NATO ASW aircraft such that
the number of fighters can now be increased to help provide a tighter CAP and
for all hours of the day.

The important thing to remember is FLEXIBILITY.  To maintain that flexibility
one must have adequate numbers of ALL TYPES of aircraft.  The Navy will not
cut one area in favor of another (such as ASW vs AAW) because once such a 
cut is made, it is EXTREMELY difficult to reverse it later.

Don Palmrose
"I'd rather not serve on a ship designed to sink...."



 
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