1/7/11

Amphibious Tank Faces Cut From Defense Budget

The project would cost nearly 12 billion dollars and the Secdef is trying to kill it. Much as I dislike agreeing with that particular SecDef he is right-the era of beach landings should be decreasing with other means of entry and delivering of explosive power increasing. Defense weapons need to be good if they are to be an effective deterrent.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704055204576068090692201036.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

A better vehicle to pursue would be a low-profile combination jet-ski-hydrofoil/hovercraft for one or two marines. Such a vehicle would also be simpler to air drop anyplace. High speed mobil insertion of special operation forces far beyond the beach would be more likely. Stand off and remotely or intelligently guided conventional weapons systems are also increasing as are the ways to detect comparatively hard to conceal amphibious tanks. The Marines ought to look ahead as well as behind in selecting innovative weapons systems useful from pole to pole and around the globe.

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