US Coast Guard Gets Firepower?

[Joe C-P]

Politics on:

In the US, one cannot blame just the executive branch. Congress (opposite of progress) has been blowing huge amounts of anti-terror funds on pointless projects in areas that are not now and will never be terror targets. One of the dimwits from Maine just had the formula for anti-terror distribution rewritten so that an even higher proportion of the money goes to smaller states, rather than the big ones like NY, Jersey, and California, where the terrorists are far more likely to strike.

As for the French, if they're smart they'll buy a near copy of the CVF; drops the cost for both of them, including reducing design fees and development times. If they were even smarter, they'd buy the JSF and build a pair of LHDs.

Politics off.


Getting back to the subject at hand, if one were inclined to blow some extra cash, one could obtain a JAG models CG cutter, paint it grey, up-arm it w/ Harpoons and Phalanx, and land an AH-1 on the helo deck to show a war-time version.  

[Geoff_B]

On the other hand, for the price of one CV you can buy a squadron of LPHs which are even more flexible (having a well deck and vehicle parking space plus a large flight deck).

Yes but LPH can only deploy in a safe environment it often requires a a Carrier to provide Air Support to protect the fleet whilst land forces deploy. Its not always possible to locate air assets to a near by freindly airfield that will allow its soil to be used for offensive operations or to have Overflight permission.

Air forces also need a strong tanker capability to be able to operate away from base and most European airfiorces have limited tanker capability at best.

LPD are groing in number with in Europe with most navies operating or building some form of LPD, but carriers are few with 1 CVN, 4 CVS and i CVS about to go into reserve and then sold off. Italy and Spain are both building LPH inspired ships to supplement their existing CVS, the Spanish ships reembling a shorter tarawa and the Italian one being similar but with no dock as they wanted better air asset capability.

France should have had 2 CdG class but delays and cost overuns led to the 2nd order being postponed and now re-assessed as the PA2. French naval policy is structured around always having a carrier avialable and commited this to the E.U. Defence force. If CdG goes in for a two year refit then France wiuld then have only the Harrier Carriers in Europe to fall back on or see about a US Carrier group which they would be loathed to do.

G B)  

[Hobbes]

I've been playing with a scenario where Europe decides to pool its naval assets (something like the NATO-operated E-3s). The combined nations buy 6-8 large carriers, individual nations contribute squadrons for the air wings (ie one nationality in each squadron, for optimal cooperation in crisis situations), a similar arrangement is used to crew the ships.
By using a single design, and sharing support facilities (e.g. only 1-2 large docks are needed, instead of every counrty needing its own infrastructure), cost comes down enough that the carrier force is affordable for the EU.

[anthonyp]

As for the French, if they're smart they'll buy a near copy of the CVF; drops the cost for both of them, including reducing design fees and development times.

I read an article in Defense News yesterday that said that the requirements for the CVF and PA2 are about 80% common, as the CVF is being fitted for, but not with, catapults.  The article went on to say that should the French decide to purchase a CTOL CVF, it might make the UK rethink their commitment to the STOVL version of the JSF.  There would be about 90% commonality between a UK CTOL CVF and a French one, which would decrease the cost to the British government.

Back to the USCG:

I wanna do an F-4S in USCG colors!  Don't know why, just do.

[Radish]

Ok....just got into this thread.

So, USCG expands, eh?? (Ian'll be getting jealous now!!)

Well, as the US is high, mighty and powerful, as well as being wealthy, let's go BIG.

I love the USCG colours even on their ships....all that white, red and blue, glossy too.
THINK BIG.

USS Missourri/New Jersey in CG colours?
USS Ronald Reagon in USCG colours??

I like the idea of F-35s in CG colours too.....and what about B-1s??
For the carrier....well, Super Bugs of course.

Let's do this properly, eh?
TOTAL EXCESSIVE FORCE....SHOCK AND AWE FOR SMUGGLERS. :ar:  

[P1127]

Given the USCG's apaprent love for all things European, how about a Charles de Gaul class carrier with Rafales?

[anthonyp]

Finished up my USCG Mongoose last night.  I'll have pics of it hopefully later today.  I gotta say it turned out better than I'd hoped.

[anthonyp]

Finished and posted!  Check out the "On the Workbench" forum.

 

As for the USCG-ized F-4, I like the idea of keeping the USN colors, just put the USCG badge and words on the plane.  I was leaning towards painting the F-4 up closer to the HC-130 or a HU-25 , though.

[PolluxDeltaSeven]

I juste remember that some Dassault Falcon (HU-25) were sold with Exocet missiles (to Iran (ex-Irak), Irak, Chili, maybe Libya...)

So why not an armed version of HU-25. Why not a AH-25 (or PU-25?) armed with 2 Harpoon missiles or 2X2 Mk-46 torpedoes underwings??
I dont' know if any model of HU-25 is available, but it's a easy model to build and a more credible solution for an armed USCG...

Why do you think??

[Joe C-P]

USS Missourri/New Jersey in CG colours?

I did a BB-62 in Camden Police markings.  

[Dork the kit slayer]

USS Missourri/New Jersey in CG colours?

I did a BB-62 in Camden Police markings.  

Im warming to you guys.

The UK CG have already put in plans for up gunning a narrow boat on the Leeds-Liverpool canal.  Anti tripe smuggling duties based at Skipton.

..........would you like to share my medication  I have green ones and red ones and this really nice double breasted suit with buckles down the back...and a cheeky return cuff.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

The UK CG have already put in plans for up gunning a narrow boat on the Leeds-Liverpool canal.  Anti tripe smuggling duties based at Skipton.

..........would you like to share my medication  I have green ones and red ones and this really nice double breasted suit with buckles down the back...and a cheeky return cuff.

I told you not to tell them....[/size]

Now we're both gonna be in the poo !

Ian - seeing his career going into free-fall !

[anthonyp]

An oldie, but goody.  I figured it'd be at home in this GB.

[lancer]

Seriously trhinking of doing another Revell S100 boat in HMCG markings.  

[superhornet1015]

Hey guys, how about an Ashville class gun boat in CG markings? I've got one of those in my stash and I'm thinking of doing it up as such.



                                                                         Pete