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Originally Posted by SeaQueen
"The littorals" as the Navy uses the term constitute a much larger area than just 25nm from shore, and amphibs don't need to go closer than that in order to accomplish their mission. Bare in mind, the HMM squadron equipped with MV-22s on an LHD can deliver a company sized air assault element 200nm from the ship.
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Someone has to cross through that territory. Maybe you fly over it in a helo, maybe you drive an LCAC through it, maybe you park the ship on the shore. One way or another, someone needs to cross it. And the Commandant doesn't seem happy that the Navy has decided it's going to be up to the Corps, and if the Commandant isn't happy, then I get concerned too.
So I guess my question is, what is the threat that can kill an LPD that can't kill an Osprey/SeaKnight/LCAC? That's the part of this that doesn't make sense to me, because if there isn't a good answer to this question, it looks like the Navy is just passing the buck.
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Additionally there will be fixed wing aircraft and attack helicopters, all of which have operating ranges greater than 25nm. Just because there's not a ship there doesn't mean you're conceding the space. A capital ship like an amphibious ship controls a significant space around it with it's aircraft. Additionally, it's escorts equipped with AEGIS, guns, more helos, tomahawks and harpoons add to the firepower. In the future there might also be LCS, with more missiles, helos and guns.
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Aircraft and missiles are great for blowing stuff up when you have a clearly identified target, but they can't control territory. Unless you put ships in that 25nm belt, I think you have conceded that territory. Which means your landing craft, when they run through it, are going to have to deal with the possibility of ATGMs fired from what were previously rather inconspicuous ships, as well as swarming attacks and ASCMs fired from the coast.
The LCS, which is being built with the material standard of an auxiliary instead of a warship, and which carries only a RAM launcher for air defense, apparently isn't meant to operate inside this 25nm belt either (it wouldn't survive there). It seems it would deploy USVs into the area while itself standing off. Just like aircraft, unmanned platforms cannot control the territory either.
I don't see how this isn't a concession of that territory by the USN. Maybe the Marines can control it, but their craft don't have all that much capacity to exercise control until they get onto land. Or am I missing something?