5 ms·

I would think something like delivering 4 or more HIMARS systems, munitions, some troops, and medium-sized combat drones to boot. The HIMARS system can currentl

by eggy 5y ago

I would think something like delivering 4 or more HIMARS systems, munitions, some troops, and medium-sized combat drones to boot. The HIMARS system can currently be transported on a C130, and they weigh 24,000 lbs each (12 shorttons each). The concern I have is how easy would it be to take out a very expensive, very big target like Starship.

lainga 5y ago
The US military is currently having to rethink its whole power projection approach from "place something here" to "place something near here, but out of A2/AD range, and then go to the place". Because everything on sea and air is kind of getting vulnerable to being taken out now, before you can get the payload ashore. Probably they would use Starship as a "fire brigade" to move things between US-controlled theaters (or from middle of theater to the very edge of defensible airspace) when there was an emergency need for something.
- peteradio 5y ago
  ala Town Portal from HOMM3
  - ByThyGrace 5y ago
    What an unexpected, particularly specific video game reference, but also too metaphorical to illustrate this scenario. Town Portal means literal teletransportation :D
    - eggy 5y ago
      Well the Pentagon has admitted UAPs (UFOs, come on!) are more substantial than a TV Show and fringe believers. Why not portals now. We know world governments meet for coffee on Mars already ;) The comment about bringing HIMARS to the edge of defensible air space makes great sense.
    - peteradio 5y ago
      Town portal was about the only way to generally project strong presence in a single turn. Seemed similar for some reason.
PeterisP 5y ago
Yeah, if it's weight-limited, then it's probably more efficient to bring firepower instead of armor, for example, a dozen attack helicopters with crew would fit in the 100t quota.
- greedo 5y ago
  It's not just weight though, the volume of 12 attack helicopters (and fuel/weapons) would be pretty large.

by eggy 5y ago

lainga 5y ago

The US military is currently having to rethink its whole power projection approach from "place something here" to "place something near here, but out of A2/AD range, and then go to the place". Because everything on sea and air is kind of getting vulnerable to being taken out now, before you can get the payload ashore. Probably they would use Starship as a "fire brigade" to move things between US-controlled theaters (or from middle of theater to the very edge of defensible airspace) when there was an emergency need for something.

peteradio 5y ago
ala Town Portal from HOMM3
- ByThyGrace 5y ago
  What an unexpected, particularly specific video game reference, but also too metaphorical to illustrate this scenario. Town Portal means literal teletransportation :D
  - eggy 5y ago
    Well the Pentagon has admitted UAPs (UFOs, come on!) are more substantial than a TV Show and fringe believers. Why not portals now. We know world governments meet for coffee on Mars already ;) The comment about bringing HIMARS to the edge of defensible air space makes great sense.
  - peteradio 5y ago
    Town portal was about the only way to generally project strong presence in a single turn. Seemed similar for some reason.

PeterisP 5y ago

Yeah, if it's weight-limited, then it's probably more efficient to bring firepower instead of armor, for example, a dozen attack helicopters with crew would fit in the 100t quota.

greedo 5y ago
It's not just weight though, the volume of 12 attack helicopters (and fuel/weapons) would be pretty large.