2 ms·

There's a reason LRIP for rapid dragon is molasses because planners recognize trying to move C130s and C17s in theatre is ridiculous. They all have to operate w

There's a reason LRIP for rapid dragon is molasses because planners recognize trying to move C130s and C17s in theatre is ridiculous. They all have to operate within 1IC to even be within standoff range to hit PRC MIC, well within operating ranges of J20 with PL17s specifically designed to pick off AWACs and other large targets like tankers... and rapid dragon. Like AGM158Bs with 1900km range (vs 1500km JASSMER for rapid dragon) is being made at... 5 per month. Until they pump that out to 100-1000s per month, it's token capability that's not being taken seriously. Not to mention US doesn't remotely have access to enough airfields in region or tanking capacity to deploy that much converted transport bomb trucks. US defense logistics is nice, but it pales to PRC mainland logistics designed to defeat the relative trickle of US standoff attacks airforce can actually deliver with basing US has access to, that itself is being targetted so US can't deliver any without hilariously inefficient/suboptimal tanking logistics from beyond 2 IC to the point it's likely not viable. Hence zerg rush to 100 B21 fleet. US fighting standoff war also throws allies / partners in region with security guarantee to the dogs. PRC going to start hitting US military infra in JP/SKR/PH to drag US into fighting in 1IC.

mlsu 2y ago
For the civilians like me in the room: - LRIP: low-rate of initial production, the early phase of weapons development where kinks are being ironed out before mass-production begins - C-130, C-17: large, US-made cargo aircraft that we have a lot of - 1IC: first island chain -- Kuril islands, Japan, Taiwan, Phillippines, and Borneo - 2IC: second island chain -- Guam, Marianas, Bonin islands. 1IC and 2IC are also references to US defense policy in the pacific, namely to contain the USSR (and later, China) by projecting force westward in the pacific, using islands as stopovers for logistics, etc. - MIC: military industrial complex - J-20 fighters: a fighter jet, Chengdu J-20, China's counterpart to the F-22 - PL-17 missiles: China-developed long range air-to-air missiles that are capable of hitting/taking down large cargo aircraft like C-130s - AWACS: airborne warning and control system, a type of radar system capable of detecting (and defend against) incoming missiles. these systems are large and mounted on purpose built aircraft, so I think the "system" part refers to having enough of such aircraft mixed in with your fleet to reliably detect incoming missiles over a large area - AGM-158B: US-made, a type of long-range air-launched cruise missile that is being adapted for the rapid dragon - zerg rush to 100 B21 fleet: refers to the US push to develop a long range strategic bomber, the B-21

mlsu 2y ago

For the civilians like me in the room: - LRIP: low-rate of initial production, the early phase of weapons development where kinks are being ironed out before mass-production begins - C-130, C-17: large, US-made cargo aircraft that we have a lot of - 1IC: first island chain -- Kuril islands, Japan, Taiwan, Phillippines, and Borneo - 2IC: second island chain -- Guam, Marianas, Bonin islands. 1IC and 2IC are also references to US defense policy in the pacific, namely to contain the USSR (and later, China) by projecting force westward in the pacific, using islands as stopovers for logistics, etc. - MIC: military industrial complex - J-20 fighters: a fighter jet, Chengdu J-20, China's counterpart to the F-22 - PL-17 missiles: China-developed long range air-to-air missiles that are capable of hitting/taking down large cargo aircraft like C-130s - AWACS: airborne warning and control system, a type of radar system capable of detecting (and defend against) incoming missiles. these systems are large and mounted on purpose built aircraft, so I think the "system" part refers to having enough of such aircraft mixed in with your fleet to reliably detect incoming missiles over a large area - AGM-158B: US-made, a type of long-range air-launched cruise missile that is being adapted for the rapid dragon - zerg rush to 100 B21 fleet: refers to the US push to develop a long range strategic bomber, the B-21