Going a bit MAD

Molon Labe · 10-30-09, 07:06 PM

Two aircraft is a lot of resource to throw into such a small basket as the Strait, at least if it's just the narrowest area. It's just a function of the number of square miles they can sanitize in a given timeframe; make the area small enough and they can get it pretty much airtight. ASW becomes a challenge when the search areas are very large. Mine operations don't have to take place in the high-value real estate; there is a whole rather large Gulf with lots of traffic to mess with. Using self-propelled or drifting mines increases the area a sub can threaten if high-value routes are being patrolled. And there are also territorial airspace issues that create areas where subs can slip through without being monitored by opposing air. The Iranians definitely have a card to play as far as mine operations go.

10-30-09, 07:06 PM	#11
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	Two aircraft is a lot of resource to throw into such a small basket as the Strait, at least if it's just the narrowest area. It's just a function of the number of square miles they can sanitize in a given timeframe; make the area small enough and they can get it pretty much airtight. ASW becomes a challenge when the search areas are very large. Mine operations don't have to take place in the high-value real estate; there is a whole rather large Gulf with lots of traffic to mess with. Using self-propelled or drifting mines increases the area a sub can threaten if high-value routes are being patrolled. And there are also territorial airspace issues that create areas where subs can slip through without being monitored by opposing air. The Iranians definitely have a card to play as far as mine operations go. __________________