Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!bionet!ig!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!osu-cis!att!cbnews!asulaima@udenva.cair.du.edu From: asulaima@udenva.cair.du.edu (SULAIMAN) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Aircraft Carrier Surviveability Message-ID: <5547@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 11 Apr 89 05:23:13 GMT References: <5481@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Organization: U of Denver Lines: 41 Approved: military@att.att.com From: asulaima@udenva.cair.du.edu (SULAIMAN) In article <5481@cbnews.ATT.COM> pv04+@andrew.cmu.edu (Philip Verdieck) writes: >>Philip Verdieck writes: >>Someone mentioned the danger of having a CBG within range of the >>SOVIET RED FLEET up near murmansk. I wouldn't expect much danger >>from the Soviets. Their is not much threat from the aircraft >>that their mini carriers can launch, and before their boats >>are within missile range of us, our air support would have them in >>missile range... > >Well, I would assume that up there we would also have land-based aircover.. >Either Scotland, Norway, or Sweden. Their subs would be hard to stop, I'd >imagine we'd have our own out in front to engage them first, and then >ASW picket lines. The resupplying would be a toughie though.... >-- The problem in that theory is the RAF does not have any land based interceptors that can cover North of GIUK. The Tornado has excellent range and loiter ability but still not enough. USAF assets based at Keflavik Greenland could provide limited coverage with F-15s operating at max range for a short time. Sweden is neutral and its entry into a war with USSR is questionable given that Sweden has not been to war in over 150 years incl when Germany overran Norway/Denmark. Unless the Sovs act real dumb it is very doubtful if they'll join. Norwegian Air Force is good but it is small and would be on the frontline anyway in a war like the Luftwaffe. What's left of it by the time CVG makes it to Kola peninsula (2-3days to a week or later) will probably be unable to do the dual job of protecting Norway from Sov onslaught and covering for the Yanks. US subs are designed for ASW ops and so are RN subs and they would be able to restrict Sov sub attacks but they cannot stop sub launched cruise missile or SSMs. Plus the fact that no more than a dozen of these subs would be avail. Hard to stop subs/ships and air so close to Sov coast. And if the CV is destroyed and the TF loses air cover unless it can get to a safe harbor within 48hrs, its doomed. The subs will make it but the ships will probably all die. Only non-suicidal raid on Kola would have to resemble something like Doolittle's raid. A token gesture of strength and possibly demoralizing the enemy. BTW the diesel sub forces of Britain and Norway because of their very nature are pouncer subs and would have big problems keeping up with the TF.