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William S. Linds idea of Fourth Generation Warfare is a good exercise in critical thinking...I have been reading his stuff for years. The unfortunate aspect of his style is to impose hasty conclusions
Much of what Lind writes is accurate...but much is also wrong:
- Rickovers assertion that the carriers would last "two days" against the Russian Nukes is absurd. Their boats during the 70's and 80's were so noisey and easy to track is was like following a trail of break crumbs.
What we really worried about were their anti-ship cruise missiles. Still do...everybody has them.
- The USN knows exactly how capable diesel-electric boats are. We know they exist in numbers (Germany builds VERY capable subs) and they scare the crap out of us. A diesel boat is a fearsome machine. Linds assertion we ignore the threat is absurd. I'd have to go classified to be more specific.
The issues with DE's has always be speed and endurance underwater. The fact that the Chinese DE got inside the screen is not surprising...the fact that Lind thinks it is is foolish.
- We are not "Preparing endlessly for another carrier war in the Pacific against the Imperial Japanese navy..." I am somewhat embarrassed for Lind that he made such a statement. A cursory glance at where the navy is headed with ships and capbilities would have informed him that such an assertion is dishonest.
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1996 FJ80.
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