Epiphany Institute Over Stretched US Navy Yes, the US Navy is a formidable force with the greatest tonnage of any other nation. But this comparison ignores the fact that these military naval assets are spread out all over the globe. The US Navy does not have the necessary concentration of naval assets in any particular region that represents an overwhelming advantage over a potential adversary. This reality means that the US Navy is not prepared to fight an allout naval war anywhere. Only through coalitions with other naval powers is the US able to gather enough military assets in one location to prevail in an all out war. This is the New Reality of a Multi-Polar geopolitical world.
When my dad was a 17 yo in WW2, his ship hit a mine and broke its back. Bending the ship at the keel. It had to travel in reverse from the Azores to Gibraltar. In two weeks of drydock 15 feet was cut out of the middle of the ship and it was welded back together. The ship was sent back out to sea in two weeks flat. And headed back out to patrol. Years of repair time is ridiculous.
The good all days where the yard crews worked for the country, not a private contractor who was looking to bill them out at $10,000 an hour for six months… to do a job that should take them 100 hours
There were a number of us in the shipbuilding industry trying very hard to have the cutter and frigate programs combined at the very start, and have multiple yards involved. The Coast Guard does not have a huge organization set up to monitor shipbuilding but the Navy does (not always the best but at least it exists). Unfortunately Admirals and Congress don't like to do things the smart way if it doesn't benefit themselves . 😞 Another huge issue the Navy has (not including manpower numbers) is parts. You can't fix ships and get them out of the yards to fight if you don't have any spare parts. Somebody thought it would be a great idea to save money (and get awarded a shiny medal for it) by getting rid of all of the Navy Supply warehouses and go to "just in time" manufacturing. This problem was compounded by the stop/start of the DDG 51 program. For long lead time complex components the Navy has created a Class Common Equipment list and funds the shipbuilder to maintain an inventory of them but this list is fairly small and there are times when the replacement components aren't available to fill the inventory to meet the next requirement. The Navy has to get away from the Naval Supply Company (I have actually seen this title on a Supply letterhead) and back to Naval Supply Command and start filling up warehouses with parts.
@@zachjones6944 Agree 100%. As a young naval officer in the 80s I looked up to admirals with a bit of awe. In the intervening 40 years, I have come to understand that our senior military leaders are political creatures, chosen for their pliability, and who look to see which side their bread is buttered before acting. If/when we go to war with China, I doubt that we'll find a King, Nimitz, Halsey or Spruance in that lot.
I will give you a heads up because you really do not understand how all this works because the AI tells us what we can see, This is true movement did win ww2 today we have a satellite war coming and who wins will rule the world, not sea or land, the new weapon is a simple ROD shot from a satellite into ships thousands of satellite RODS are ready and will completely decimate all seagoing vehicles. Don't be fooled by the devils tricks.
I served as a transportation officer in the army, so people think that I have a bias for land based transportation. But my background in economic history has taught me how important the waves are. It's easy for people to see lines on a map and armies marching, but it's hard to conceptualize shipping lanes and how important they are to both trade and resupply to a fighting force.
What most people think of as 'the Mahanian Doctrine' is the Kantai Kessen, or the one grand battle that decides everything. As Drachinifel points out, Mahan posits that control of the sea means control of international trade, and THIS is what will allow overall dominance.
I was in the RAN in the eighties. It was a comical sight when two destroyers of the same class had sailors running up and down the wharf exchanging parts to try and keep the aging analogue computers operating.
Brilliant break down on how navy shipbuilding is so expensive due to the lack of investment in US shipbuilding infrastructure overall. So much of our maritime (naval & commercial) issues are intertwined and you brought that out in this video.
I will give you a heads up because you really do not understand how all this works because the AI tells us what we can see, This is true movement did win ww2 today we have a satellite war coming and who wins will rule the world, not sea or land, the new weapon is a simple ROD shot from a satellite into ships thousands of satellite RODS are ready and will completely decimate all seagoing vehicles. Don't be fooled by the devils tricks.
This video IS long; but, thank you for explaining the details of so many issues, and providing multiple sensible solutions to the many ongoing challenges. We can only hope Congress wakes up before our Navy withers on the vine.
Sal: Great timing. Driving 4 hours home from the ship. Nice to have something to listen. I do have to comment on one thing. When you made up the new ATM rule, I was immediately reminded of a line in a movie, "You would do it for RANDOLPH SCOTT!"
@dmcarpenter2470 Proud to inform you that you are the 100th person that has given me that show to watch. I respectfully accept. Thank you for the suggesttion. I'm in
Those special mission tanker/support ships are interesting Sal! I had no idea they existed. I loved hearing your ideas about fast attract flotillas in the Pacific.
Decades of poor leadership and naivete has put us in this position. We've long needed smaller combat vessels to do all the necessary and 'lesser' jobs. Not to mention, to permit more opportunities for crews and officers to cut their teeth on 'lesser' ships and earn the commands of capital ships.
Plus I can fantasize about buying one surplus and turning it into a pleasure cruiser. Don't think I got enough time left in me to wait for one of these to be surplused. Those Fast Cutters look interesting.
If the US was concerned with defence, it would need a Coast Guard, there is NO country that is or would be a threat to the US, the only use for the US navy as constituted is to support ignorance, arrogance hegemony and empire. When was the last time there was a threat from any country, to the US? The ignorance and arrogance is displayed by the suggestion that Russia is run by an 'old dude' who basically makes all the decisions, did he make a decision like Biden and blow up an international infrastructure project of one of it's allies or provoke a war with a nuclear power, and the suggestion Putin is the 'crazy old dude'? The major belligerent in the world today is the criminal organization disguised as a country called the USA, both Russia and China build bridges and schools and fight terrorists and look after their citizens, the US bombs countries, overthrows governments and starts wars.
@@haldorasgirson9463 I agree, add a navalized version of the short range air defense system they mounted on the Stryker and a dozen or so of the switchblade 600 suicide drones. Maybe a modified stern that could swap the boat ramp for Naval Strike Missile canisters or a HiMARs as mission module.
Sal, I'm a newby to your channel. So educational. I love how you think out of the Box. You need to fwd your link to Congress. There is so much that we (Congress) can do to optimize what we currently have. I served in the US Navy for 10 yrs. I am 54 yrs old and you and my brother (who just joined the US Merchant Marines) have ignited and fueled my desire to go back to sea and give back to my Country... our Country. It is vital for us to think out of the box and utilize what we currently have without slowing production with our Naval Shipyards. You have a new loyal follower and subscriber. Can't thank you enough for all the insights and outs about the Maritime Industry. I know much more now than what I ever thought I knew. Thank you for what you do... Singing out "Virg".
Excellent video and analysis of possible options. It has been so discouraging to watch the series of various missteps by the US Navy on prominent programs over the past couple of decades, it is a good reminder that some things have worked pretty well in related spaces, and that the answers are at possible.
This is powerful, not only the senator but your analysis of the situation. I am from South Carolina and will write my senators, traditionally they never reply so I imagine they are not read but I will try.
Both Books are great reads! We also need Naval Shipyards for maintenance and repair yards. How many have been shutdown in the last 30 years. You cant build ships when repairs take 5-10 years in the same yards. Our younger generation doesn't want to spend money on this. Great presentation!
"Our younger generation doesn't want to spend money on this." I mean, the younger generation doesn't have money to spend. But in terms of taxes, we do, I certainly do.
Thank you Sal for sharing Senator Wicker's announcement of the US Shipyard Act. I loved the "Better call Sal" format of this video where you interject commentary. Readiness is an important metric in weapon systems logistics. Front line assets need to be ready when they are needed. Overusing scarce equipment and wearing the equipment out when repair and replacement takes years is very troubling. I think you hit a chord with that! Cannibalization is a red flag too!
Your proposals to develop frigates and patrol ships rapidly make great sense. And would fill the 2027 gap. There is no other solution that could meet these goals cost effectively. The U S might also farm out some ship construction to South Korea and Japan again. Or repair to the Philippines.
Thanks so much for this, Sal! I've been thinking along these lines for the last couple of years. We really do need to "re-boot" our shipping industry, both for the sake of our Navy and to have a much bigger footprint in global commercial shipping. And this must happen sooner and much faster!
Sal you should be Sec Navy as you are definitely more qualified than the current regime. I'm glad to hear of your recommendation of the adaptation of CG fast patrol craft to replace the decommissioning of PCS. FWIW I served on Patrol Gunboat 92 USS Tacoma with CODOG propulsion We participated in Operation Market Time in Vietnam where We completed 2-3 week patrols with minimum support but were able to hit 40knts in the LM1500 gas turbine with controllable pitch 6'dia Titanium screws turning 720rpm but burned 1gcal ph vs 750gal pd on dsls.
We need to be thinking "out of the box" - and Sal has some excellent observations and suggestions. The Navy can not continue business as usual, expecting different outcomes, as that has proven disastrous.
Great job Sal. I always enjoy your content. I often watch it on my TV and have not figured out how to like/comment on that platform. As a Merchant Marine Academy grad of 1987 with a son currently enrolled, I believe that you are right on point!
My son is a Mid now too. I wish a coherent national shipbuilding strategy took priority in DC by our congressman over the Woke news headlines over at KP. What a total tragedy that the Merchant Marine will potentially have to be involved with supporting a conflict with China with such limited and old ships. God bless our Midshipmen!
One thing the navy needs in missile ships. Ships with large number of missile and little crew and just data links where the ships with the high-tech radars can data link the missile ships with numerous missile onboard. Most navy ships will run out of missile in one day of combat, then have to go back to a base to reload. With a carrier battle group, the carrier are useless if the ships that protect it are out of missiles
@@georgewelliver9653 Not as likely, but hyper accurate maps globally are powering new navigation and geolocation systems that don’t need satellites. I’m not saying HIMARS con do this, but GPS jamming is BS. Just saying interesting capabilities.
While Moscow’s recent counterspace attacks have been limited to electronic and cyber means to deny space services in Ukraine, it possesses a wide range of capabilities, including systems that can physically destroy satellites on orbit like direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles and high-powered lasers. In 2018 alone, of the 25 global counterspace weapons activities recorded by CSIS, Russia was responsible for nearly half of them. In 2018 alone, of the 25 global counterspace weapons activities recorded by CSIS, Russia was responsible for nearly half of them.
A small crew sounds great. But then you must start to count. You really need 3 watches, time and labor studies have confirmed that over the past 100 years. And each watch must be able to keep the ship in full combat readiness, including perhaps two dozen extra hands for damage control. A larger galley, an extra sick bay....you can only go so small before you have disposable ships, capable of firing one salvo and then having to be rescued. Oddly, while the air force creates drone swarms with unmanned full size aircraft, the USN seems to ignore the concept of drone ships, or even drone PT boats. But that's the same USN that preferred battleships over carriers, and more recently has played with oddball systems and designs that are repeatedly cancelled because they just don't work.
Thanks Sal for another timely, informative video. Your analysis on how we can get ships NOW rather than waiting for them to be built was spot on. Too many of our admirals and members of Congress simply can't think outside the box.
You are a genius. Is anyone in Congress , including Wicker, listening to you? Buzby tried to tell the story, but who was listening. However, you are Golden. .....because your really to know history. You should be in Congress support teaching Congressional Leaders, Maritime History.
Mobility: No matter how many times the Ho Chi Mihn trail was bombed, the VC were always able to rebuild quickly and therefore maintain their mobility. Think back on the result. Mobility is everything.
We need more shipyards period. Your solutions where well thought of and very practical. I hope someone who counts watches this. Thanks from a bubble head.
We need to focus on building lots of smaller ships. Frigates, Corvettes, sea going but right sized for commerce protection. Would make good sensor and missile platforms and from a pragmatic sense, these don't put as many lives at risk.
Can't agree more! Our efficiency lost over time. Where has the efficiency of repairing Yorktown gone? We should reconsider that are we asking too much but willing to do too little? Talking about China. I was positioned to Guangdong 13 years ago. To start with, I applied for Internet for my home. I fill in the online form in the morning, paid online at noon, technician came at 5 pm to pull a fios to my apartment and my internet start streaming at 8 pm. My experience with Verizon FIOS was 5 days when I switched from cable to FIOS two years ago in Rockland NY bearing in mind that I did not need to pay Verizon up front. Efficiency is something that we should rethink if we want to maintain our superiority.
Sal, I pretty much agree with all your comments. I would go a step further in that I believe that additional new build and repair yards are needed. If both Navy and commercial fleets are to built at the same time there needs to be both expansion of existing shipyards and new shipyards to replace the Avondales, Bethlehem Steels and Todds. There are a limited number of repair yards left for commercial ships. They were original replaced by Japanese and South Korean shipyards. Nowadays repair yards in China and Singapore are used. I believe the Navy's 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 utilization of their fleet needs rework. Commercial vessels operate on a twice in five years, not to exceed 3 years, docking schedule. One docking will be for a major overhaul, about one month, and the other for a shave and a haircut, two weeks. And they are expected to be available as close to 100% as possible. the rest of the time. While given the complexity of naval vessels more downtime is a given, but a naval vessel probably spends 60% of it's life in dock or alongside a pier. My guess is sustaining the fleels in a combat would be nearly impossible. Bob
Sal, agree with points but please do a video on state of allied navies (number of merchant marine, flat tops being constructed, VLS, number of ships, etc.). Curious if US naval doctrine is now, “encourage allied navies suck as Japan, S. Korea, Australia, and others) to build more and bigger. European Navies may be in similar state as USA but if they are trying to build more that would be interesting. Or are all navies except China shrinking? Thanks for what you do.
Another riveting webcast Prof Sal. Sad we are where we are today. Probably most disturbing is our industrial base cannot be the Arsenal of Democracy as it was in WW2 and of course we would not be able to replace our losses never mind meet our ammo needs. Keep up the great work.
I really hope they pass the Shipyard Act, it would be a small step in the right direction but it needs to happen. We have known about these issues for years yet the politicians continue arguing. The US depends on maritime power and without it we are lost. We invite war and looking away will cost us dearly. I don't understand how this is not being taken more seriously. We need more ships, shipyards, a better plan and we need it now.
@@ab9840 I’ll will read it, thanks. I will only add that I believe many of the issues we face are self inflicted, meaning we had and could have the industrial capacity but did away with the experienced workforce and relied heavily on a few builders. We allowed too much to move elsewhere. We stopped providing the infrastructure needed and no private investment is going to be made unless they can depend on the contracts. Too many short sighted decisions and the US has to have the political will to make changes, they certainly have the money.
You have some innovative ideas about how to fill capability gaps in the fleet, hopefully some decision makers watch this and put these ideas to good use!
Thank you for today's issue of Sal's Sunday Paper. It was long, but it was filled with a ton of interesting information, so it actually didn't seem long. So as always keep them coming. Now I need to order a couple of books.
Sal, regarding your photo of Alfred Thayer Mahan, at first glance it looks like the medals on his uniform display the letters "F.U.". So I can see why you respect him so much. Any military person with "F.U." on his uniform is definitely a badass. 😂 Love your work and the video, btw. 😂
Professor Sal, great job on review of congressional material acts that impact not just shipping, but defense. I think one item you have mentioned is the use of merchant marine. We need to BUILD UP MERCHANT MARINE tonnage and the navy. US Built AND utilize our allies as well. As we move towards building the fiber optic support vessels the problem I see is opportunity. The opportunity to use these vessels as detection and deterrence of mischief to critical infrastructure. All fitted with ROVs and other submersibles for maintaining and laying new specialized fiber optics. With regards to China’s long term potential it’s massive debt without the hidden debt is almost 1/3 of the world’s entire debt. Recent analysis shows real GDP is $5.3 Trillion not $18T. Something has to give. I would suggest that with massive debt and chronic poverty war or some conflict with China becomes more likely. Xi Jinping is in deep trouble already now long before 2027.
Conflict over Taiwan is nearly assured. Within the next decades, the last of the Taiwanese who actually remember being part of China will be retiring. When that happens, the likelihood of reintegration decreases... because the people coming in will have grown up in an independent state. They will not see themselves as the Chinese government in exile. While there is a limited reunion party, many more have seen how they treated Hong Kong... and are as likely to support reunion as the people of southern Ireland voting to return to Great Britain. I have friends there, since my other home is Bagiuo City, Philippines, and most of the time I will travel through Taiwan on my way. The Chinese government is led by people who see all of the South China sea as theirs, the island of Taiwan as theirs. And as they see the island becoming less and less China, they will eventually act. Sal talks about nobody saw the invasion of Ukraine... but they did. We have had warnings since the early teens. Defense analysts had warned that the expansion into Crimea would not be the limit, any more than the early expansion of the National Socialist party was... even when its leader promised he had no further plans to expand. Right now, we are where the world was in 1936, except with weapons that place a WW 3 out of the question. There cannot be another Normandy. There cannot be another race to the Reine. And it will be interesting.
After catching the last couple of minutes (my pervious was after your 1st set of suggestions) don't apologize about the length, this may be one of the most important videos you've put out....If I were the president, I would be moving you from the Maritime Administrator to CNO. I'll be sharing this around Sal
So this is about the power balance in the West Pacific. However, Japan, South Korea and Australia are stepping up enforcing their ability to protect their territory and project power in the region and India is also right there having tensions with the PRC. I'd like to see how the combined powers stack up? Because China, strangely, does not have many friends close to home it seems.... 🤔
I like the idea of repurposing those Coast Guard vessel designs. The Fast Response Cutter is similar in size, and could be close on capability to the Royal Navy River Class. The Royal Navy may be smaller, but we do use our ships a bit more efficiently based on what Sal is saying (Let me clarify, that we have little choice). The River Class are deployed to different UK forward bases around the world to police and then the Type 23 and Type 45 are on exercise with other nations or doing pretty specific roles. Although I am not excited by conflict, we aren't moving fast enough, and the RN isn't doing it perfectly, the Royal Navy is gradually becoming more capable again. The Type 26 and Type 31 are exciting developments and the Type 31' aren't all that different from the larger cutter mentioned, and will be similarly armed to what Sal suggested. I would love to see the US Navy restored. It seems the only way to deal with any issues with China, is as has been seen recently with Russia, going to be a combined effort by Nato.
@@jm2453 It is larger, but not 6 times larger. I am simply pointing out that they can perform similar roles, even if the River Class has more displacement. The biggest difference is that the FRC simply won't have helicopter landing facilities. The block 1 river class isn't all that different really.
Pretty neat idea there having a fast attack squadron of small boats like a air craft carrier. That could be a very useful tool in a commanders tool box.
Having worked in shipyards in the US, I can say with extreme conviction that we must get the unions out of the business. Unbelievable corruption and laziness.
@@grooviefan @jeff case Not directly no. But indirectly yes. 20 years ago a princess cruise ship came into dry dock. The refit materials came mostly by ship in 20 foot containers. Who unloaded those ships, and did the in-port drayage? ILA is who. Containers of TV"S and tinned wiring went missing during the process. Months later the talk was about how everyone of the "brothers" received a TV, and there was nothing anyone was going to do about it. Union strong, means Union strong arm robbery in too many cases. I bring up many many other cases, but that would be useless, as political motivations triumph over morals these days.
Professor Sal, there is a new “small nuclear” power engine being built for space flight which could power smaller vessels possibly. I realize that this is not easy or quick qualification.
Sal I agree. I served on Knox class frigates doing the type of missions you are describing in the 1980's. I would caution though, the American public is very causality adverse. What you are proposing is a forward deployed "trip wire" with little or no air defence. All good until the balloon goes up. Once it does those crews will be toast.
It is a question about having front line units forward and knocked out versus having them back. I would not see the frigates in East Asia but relieving the DDGs in other areas.
Those NSMVs are a great reason the jones act needs revisions. I’ve been in and out of that shipyard to see the progress and while it’s been “on time”/“on budget” it’s because of those things that need to be changed. I’m glad they are making progress with them. My sister was lucky to tour the new Empire State yesterday actually and see the new MASS NSMV as well, but man, am I sad to see the Steam Ships slowly losing their place in the training fleet, as while not applicable to the commercial fleet, the training experience associated with power generation, thermodynamics, and general maintenance that these merchant marines in training need, will be pushed aside in the name of these new NSMVs That being said, I’ll be trying my best to get aboard the Lone Star State, or another NSMV as an engineer when they launch, to see what it is like. Edit: I’m not saying modular components from another country is a bad thing, but let’s remember ONE (not main, but one) purpose of the Jones Act, is that ships are built here in America, so we do not need to rely on other countries. Imagine how rough things could get in a time of war, and we start cranking out new ships, those modules floating across the ocean, are great targets for submarines and other attack vessels on the seas. I could be being a skeptic, but it’s just my opinion. Additionally, the amount of domestic labor (which I know is more expensive) that is outsourced in the name of those modular components, is ALOT.
The elephant in the room no one talks about is "Where do we get the crew for 600 ships, more or less". President Reagan had the draft to crew a 600-ship navy. Today, there is no draft and we have an expensive navy personnel roster. Ukraine is taking all the money the USN needs to bulk up construction.
Here’s what I find interesting; particularly in light of your last video - talking about the power of soft force projection. If we (the us) want to be a deterrent to regional skirmishes our ability to provide logistics, presence and stability far exceeds the deterrence of our sophisticated warships.
Thanks, I hope this gets more attention. Sage I hope this bill gets built up and added to to make it better. If the Admirals of the Navy can't make the right decisions, especially long term ones, that's when Congress needs to step in. Require them by law to work on less sexy stuff, like support and logistics. And we need Spares and Repairs requirements. Australia wants to increase their ship engineering and building industry. We can work with them to help supplement and share costs to pad out capability if needed.
Professor Sal, while I agree with you and the senator, the one question I have is, where is the Navy going to get the crew to man these ships? Recruitment is down among all of the armed forces and an increase in shipbuilding means an increase in people to man these new ships. I'm sure that a large percentage of your viewers have seen the latest USN 'recruitment' video, so where are the crews going to come from? That said, great video, worth the nearly hour to watch, happy to support the channel on Patreon.
Wow, really didn't know what are navy readiness was till I started watching you. Very informative and made me really think, how can we get are government to listen to this. Us.
Contracts, contracts, contracts. Without contracts, no shipyard capacity. When I was a kid, I lived in the Seattle area. We had a number of shipyards . We had shipyards in Seattle building amphibious ships and fast frigates, and a number of other vessels. We had Tacoma building smaller auxiliaries and patrol boats. We had Portland building ships. We were even building ships in Vancouver. Virtually all that capacity and skill base are now gone. And most of the land used to build them is gone. It has been sold off and repurposed to non maritime uses in many cases, or turned into container shipping terminals. Just giant parking lots with s few giant container cranes. And any new shipyard to be built is going to have massive opposition from the usual cast of characters who will oppose and tie up the construction of new ship building facilities for years. It’s going to be a real emotional and political shock when sometime in the next 10 or 20 years China comes along and anaxes both the South China, Sea, and Taiwan, and there is nothing that the United States will be able to do to stop it because we will not be able to compete with the Chinese military.
Hey SAL how's it going buddy I watch your video,s just about every day sometimes 3_4 times a day really enjoyed it Myself am retired merchants Mariner Captain with my unlemented tonnage master's. Take care stay safe. Your Fan.
My son was a pacific coast Navy sailor, who retired two years ago and as this families 4th gen Navy sailor, said that today's Navy isn't just about old ships and equipment degrading, it's also about the quality of individuals and their training being well below the standards and requirements when he was a young sailor. Based on his expert assessment of the caliber of men, training, equipment and vessels, we are as a nation in dire straits as a modern Navy. With ships and equipment being sub par and the emotional preponderance of the average blue jacket, his, and my, fear is that we may have already lost the next naval conflict before a hostile shot is fired. Truly sad the condition of our once great navy.
71 subs - total production of torpedoes was 1046 as of 2000, and about 50 per year since. Depending on class, up to 28 torps per sub. Given that the inventory not on the subs is scattered world wide, there are really not enough for a second war patrol by each sub. This does not even consider how old the stock is. Nor can we ramp up production to a war fighting level. The supply of missiles is similar, same for mines, same for ASW sonic-buoys. We have retired the long range strike and patrol aircraft. The published number of kits for smart bombs is also small. The heavy bombers are neither trained nor equipped for naval operations, nor are there very many of them (about 100 B52, one squadron each of the other two types [I could be wrong, maybe a few more]. In any case less than 200 heavy bombers, and they are hard tasked for other missions. No medium bombers even exist. All we got are fighters and fighter bombers. The 5 inch cannon is all but retired. The air to air AMMRAM stocks are mostly out of date and too short ranged. The latest version AMMRAM D3 (or is it 3D?). Relative to your ship interest, I'd complain the supply of high speed transports is too small. Unfortunately it is not a problem, because the supply stocks are so small, and the resupply factories are too small and slow. Don't need a semi-truck to transport two lunch pails. Lloyd's Register says about 60,000 ships world wide. We only got enough weapons to inconvenience China: their build rate appears to exceed our weapons build rates.
Good points. I think you discount the potential of the P-8 as a strake platform. Use carrier fighters as escort. Carrier brings fighters where they otherwise wouldn't be. P-8 could carry 6 LRASM or 12 NSM with 5 MALD decoys.
In1961-64 I served on 2 ships commissioned in 1945. Neither of them had seen action in WW2. They weren't even 20 years old, and we considered them old! How times have changed.
I would add that one of my ships was the Barnegat class seaplane tender, USS Greenwich Bay AVP41. Power was by a pair of submarine type diesel engines capable of 17 knots., and sailed from Little Creek, Virginia to Rota, Spain, 11 days and 11 knots, no pit stops. The G.B. and two other AVP's (Valcour and Duxbury Bay) rotated as at sea flag ships for COMIDEASTFOR, a rear admiral, in Bahrein. This ship type also served as PT Boat tenders, and after the war, several became U.S. Coast Guard cutters and one, a royal yacht! They were 1700 tons, 310 feet long, 41-foot beam, and 13-foot draft. The GB had a single 5-inch 38, gun turret and two 40mm mounts. A modified version would seem to fill the pirate bill and perform the "show the flag" duties. A bit more speed would have been nice, maybe 20 knots (the diesel-turbine combination).
Hi Sal, I may have missed it but has the Shipyard Act been passed? After graduation from KP in 1973, I worked at Todd's in San Pedro designing systems and purchasing equipment. Upon starting my own business in Baltimore, I worked with the engineers and mates on ships with equipment repairs and replacement. Bethlehem Shipyard was vacant at that time. One MARAD ship was a steamship from the Lykes lines and it is going on 50 years old. I agree with you that the Shipyard Act should also improve upon the shipbuilding capacity of commercial ships. The training ships that Philly ship are building are only being assembled in Philly. Everything from the design and purchase of equipment, etc., is being supplied by S. Korea. This does not assist with the American supporting companies such as steel, piping, equipment, etc. Not only that, if all the equipment on these ships is purchased in Korea, the standards that are used may not provide the life required and parts may by had to come by. I watched your video on the Decline of the Merchant Marine and it is excellent. I would venture to say that this type of management in the Navy and MARAD is prevalent throughout the services as well. Something needs to be done to protect the U.S. and it may be too late.
This video should be required viewing for every member of congress. Great job Sal!
Sal, your making sense. They'll keel haul you. LOL
Did you notice all the empty seats behind him?
Epiphany Institute
Over Stretched US Navy
Yes, the US Navy is a formidable force with the greatest tonnage of any other nation.
But this comparison ignores the fact that these military naval assets are spread out all over the globe.
The US Navy does not have the necessary concentration of naval assets in any particular region that represents an overwhelming advantage over a potential adversary.
This reality means that the US Navy is not prepared to fight an allout naval war anywhere.
Only through coalitions with other naval powers is the US able to gather enough military assets in one location to prevail in an all out war.
This is the New Reality of a Multi-Polar geopolitical world.
@@SteamCrane That is normal when reading something into the official record.
@@wacojones8062 Correct, but it perpetuates the fiction that other senators ever hear or read what he said.
When my dad was a 17 yo in WW2, his ship hit a mine and broke its back. Bending the ship at the keel. It had to travel in reverse from the Azores to Gibraltar.
In two weeks of drydock 15 feet was cut out of the middle of the ship and it was welded back together.
The ship was sent back out to sea in two weeks flat. And headed back out to patrol.
Years of repair time is ridiculous.
The good all days where the yard crews worked for the country, not a private contractor who was looking to bill them out at $10,000 an hour for six months… to do a job that should take them 100 hours
@@Matt-yg8ub don't leave out the greedy union slob demanding exorbitant pay and benefits.
It’s a good thing technology hasn’t advanced and we can just slap together a destroyer in a few weeks like in WW2. 🙄
Very good point. That was a war effort, now it’s about the💰💰!!
Modern shipe aren't anything like WW2 ships. Are modern automobiles as simple to work on as 1940 automobiles? THINK!
There were a number of us in the shipbuilding industry trying very hard to have the cutter and frigate programs combined at the very start, and have multiple yards involved. The Coast Guard does not have a huge organization set up to monitor shipbuilding but the Navy does (not always the best but at least it exists). Unfortunately Admirals and Congress don't like to do things the smart way if it doesn't benefit themselves . 😞
Another huge issue the Navy has (not including manpower numbers) is parts. You can't fix ships and get them out of the yards to fight if you don't have any spare parts. Somebody thought it would be a great idea to save money (and get awarded a shiny medal for it) by getting rid of all of the Navy Supply warehouses and go to "just in time" manufacturing. This problem was compounded by the stop/start of the DDG 51 program. For long lead time complex components the Navy has created a Class Common Equipment list and funds the shipbuilder to maintain an inventory of them but this list is fairly small and there are times when the replacement components aren't available to fill the inventory to meet the next requirement. The Navy has to get away from the Naval Supply Company (I have actually seen this title on a Supply letterhead) and back to Naval Supply Command and start filling up warehouses with parts.
Shawn...great information and addition to the video. You are so correct about the military adopting a Just In Time style of logistics.
Shipbuilding is too important to leave it up to the Admirals (politicians-in-uniform)!
@@zachjones6944 Agree 100%. As a young naval officer in the 80s I looked up to admirals with a bit of awe. In the intervening 40 years, I have come to understand that our senior military leaders are political creatures, chosen for their pliability, and who look to see which side their bread is buttered before acting. If/when we go to war with China, I doubt that we'll find a King, Nimitz, Halsey or Spruance in that lot.
I will give you a heads up because you really do not understand how all this works because the AI tells us what we can see, This is true movement did win ww2 today we have a satellite war coming and who wins will rule the world, not sea or land, the new weapon is a simple ROD shot from a satellite into ships thousands of satellite RODS are ready and will completely decimate all seagoing vehicles. Don't be fooled by the devils tricks.
@@wgowshipping the fact any fighting force would consider a “Just in Time” logistical network is insane to me
I served as a transportation officer in the army, so people think that I have a bias for land based transportation. But my background in economic history has taught me how important the waves are. It's easy for people to see lines on a map and armies marching, but it's hard to conceptualize shipping lanes and how important they are to both trade and resupply to a fighting force.
Last time I looked there were not many roads crossing either the Atlantic or the Pacific.
What most people think of as 'the Mahanian Doctrine' is the Kantai Kessen, or the one grand battle that decides everything. As Drachinifel points out, Mahan posits that control of the sea means control of international trade, and THIS is what will allow overall dominance.
In WW2 the Army had almost as many ships as the navy (And the Japanese Army had more aircraft carriers and submarines).
When I was at maritime we were taught the Army has more boats than the Navy.
Good times.
Sal for Secretary of the Navy!
I absolutely agree with this!! We need to get rid of the old thinking admirals and there old ways and have someone like Sal in charge!
I was in the RAN in the eighties. It was a comical sight when two destroyers of the same class had sailors running up and down the wharf exchanging parts to try and keep the aging analogue computers operating.
Brilliant break down on how navy shipbuilding is so expensive due to the lack of investment in US shipbuilding infrastructure overall. So much of our maritime (naval & commercial) issues are intertwined and you brought that out in this video.
Wow! Absolutely criminal if our lawmakers and naval executives dont even consider this idea.
I will give you a heads up because you really do not understand how all this works because the AI tells us what we can see, This is true movement did win ww2 today we have a satellite war coming and who wins will rule the world, not sea or land, the new weapon is a simple ROD shot from a satellite into ships thousands of satellite RODS are ready and will completely decimate all seagoing vehicles. Don't be fooled by the devils tricks.
This video IS long; but, thank you for explaining the details of so many issues, and providing multiple sensible solutions to the many ongoing challenges. We can only hope Congress wakes up before our Navy withers on the vine.
As a retired certified marine chemist, I experienced the reduction of the US shipbuilding and ship repair business first hand. Devastating!
Sal: Great timing. Driving 4 hours home from the ship. Nice to have something to listen. I do have to comment on one thing. When you made up the new ATM rule, I was immediately reminded of a line in a movie, "You would do it for RANDOLPH SCOTT!"
One of the greatest movies of all time!
Name the movie please?
@@MuffinManUSNBLAZING SADDLES
@dmcarpenter2470 Proud to inform you that you are the 100th person that has given me that show to watch.
I respectfully accept.
Thank you for the suggesttion.
I'm in
Those special mission tanker/support ships are interesting Sal! I had no idea they existed. I loved hearing your ideas about fast attract flotillas in the Pacific.
get older ships out moth balls were destrorying cariers that still be useful or give to coast guard who be protect our coast with these ships
I wish we could get you in front of the Navy as well as in front of a classroom Dr. Sal.
Congress and the Navy have a lot to learn from you!
Decades of poor leadership and naivete has put us in this position. We've long needed smaller combat vessels to do all the necessary and 'lesser' jobs. Not to mention, to permit more opportunities for crews and officers to cut their teeth on 'lesser' ships and earn the commands of capital ships.
The US Navy can't meet its recruitment goals. The LCS ships have smaller crews but they are too small to handle damage control.
@@shauny2285 when you force inject people with poison against their will, you turn a lot of people off.
Plus I can fantasize about buying one surplus and turning it into a pleasure cruiser. Don't think I got enough time left in me to wait for one of these to be surplused. Those Fast Cutters look interesting.
If the US was concerned with defence, it would need a Coast Guard, there is NO country that is or would be a threat to the US, the only use for the US navy as constituted is to support ignorance, arrogance hegemony and empire. When was the last time there was a threat from any country, to the US?
The ignorance and arrogance is displayed by the suggestion that Russia is run by an 'old dude' who basically makes all the decisions, did he make a decision like Biden and blow up an international infrastructure project of one of it's allies or provoke a war with a nuclear power, and the suggestion Putin is the 'crazy old dude'? The major belligerent in the world today is the criminal organization disguised as a country called the USA, both Russia and China build bridges and schools and fight terrorists and look after their citizens, the US bombs countries, overthrows governments and starts wars.
@@haldorasgirson9463 I agree, add a navalized version of the short range air defense system they mounted on the Stryker and a dozen or so of the switchblade 600 suicide drones. Maybe a modified stern that could swap the boat ramp for Naval Strike Missile canisters or a HiMARs as mission module.
Listen to Sal talks will us not only the news....but also the background and history of us ... Many 🙏
Excellent points! Prof. Sal I hope decision makers heed your recommendations! 😊👍
They are too stubborn to listen to logic.
Sal, I'm a newby to your channel. So educational. I love how you think out of the Box. You need to fwd your link to Congress. There is so much that we (Congress) can do to optimize what we currently have. I served in the US Navy for 10 yrs. I am 54 yrs old and you and my brother (who just joined the US Merchant Marines) have ignited and fueled my desire to go back to sea and give back to my Country... our Country. It is vital for us to think out of the box and utilize what we currently have without slowing production with our Naval Shipyards. You have a new loyal follower and subscriber. Can't thank you enough for all the insights and outs about the Maritime Industry. I know much more now than what I ever thought I knew. Thank you for what you do... Singing out "Virg".
Virg, thanks for the note and subscribing.
I sent the video to the House and Senate armed services committees.
Sal, you are saying all the things I have noticing, not sure what the heck we are doing. Thank You for your very good opinions.
You do good at complement yourself😂. I agree with all of us too
Excellent video and analysis of possible options. It has been so discouraging to watch the series of various missteps by the US Navy on prominent programs over the past couple of decades, it is a good reminder that some things have worked pretty well in related spaces, and that the answers are at possible.
This is powerful, not only the senator but your analysis of the situation. I am from South Carolina and will write my senators, traditionally they never reply so I imagine they are not read but I will try.
Both Books are great reads! We also need Naval Shipyards for maintenance and repair yards. How many have been shutdown in the last 30 years. You cant build ships when repairs take 5-10 years in the same yards. Our younger generation doesn't want to spend money on this. Great presentation!
Agreed. "This is the dangerous time". Wicker's dream nightmare. 😂😂😂
"Our younger generation doesn't want to spend money on this."
I mean, the younger generation doesn't have money to spend. But in terms of taxes, we do, I certainly do.
Your approach in pointing out dangerous deficiencies is incredible because you also offer sensible solutions. I pray the right people are listening.
Thank you Sal for sharing Senator Wicker's announcement of the US Shipyard Act. I loved the "Better call Sal" format of this video where you interject commentary. Readiness is an important metric in weapon systems logistics. Front line assets need to be ready when they are needed. Overusing scarce equipment and wearing the equipment out when repair and replacement takes years is very troubling. I think you hit a chord with that! Cannibalization is a red flag too!
Your proposals to develop frigates and patrol ships rapidly make great sense. And would fill the 2027 gap. There is no other solution that could meet these goals cost effectively.
The U S might also farm out some ship construction to South Korea and Japan again. Or repair to the Philippines.
Jones Act?
@@jab100lochaberActs and laws can be modified
Thanks so much for this, Sal! I've been thinking along these lines for the last couple of years. We really do need to "re-boot" our shipping industry, both for the sake of our Navy and to have a much bigger footprint in global commercial shipping. And this must happen sooner and much faster!
Sal you should be Sec Navy as you are definitely more qualified than the current regime. I'm glad to hear of your recommendation of the adaptation of CG fast patrol craft to replace the decommissioning of PCS. FWIW I served on Patrol Gunboat 92 USS Tacoma with CODOG propulsion We participated in Operation Market Time in Vietnam where We completed 2-3 week patrols with minimum support but were able to hit 40knts in the LM1500 gas turbine with controllable pitch 6'dia Titanium screws turning 720rpm but burned 1gcal ph vs 750gal pd on dsls.
We need to be thinking "out of the box" - and Sal has some excellent observations and suggestions. The Navy can not continue business as usual, expecting different outcomes, as that has proven disastrous.
Who knew talking about boats could be so much fun. What an excellent channel. A+ Thank you sir!
Great job Sal. I always enjoy your content. I often watch it on my TV and have not figured out how to like/comment on that platform. As a Merchant Marine Academy grad of 1987 with a son currently enrolled, I believe that you are right on point!
My son is a Mid now too. I wish a coherent national shipbuilding strategy took priority in DC by our congressman over the Woke news headlines over at KP. What a total tragedy that the Merchant Marine will potentially have to be involved with supporting a conflict with China with such limited and old ships. God bless our Midshipmen!
One thing the navy needs in missile ships. Ships with large number of missile and little crew and just data links where the ships with the high-tech radars can data link the missile ships with numerous missile onboard. Most navy ships will run out of missile in one day of combat, then have to go back to a base to reload.
With a carrier battle group, the carrier are useless if the ships that protect it are out of missiles
What if an adversary shoots down a satellite that is required for navel navigation and missile guidance
@@georgewelliver9653 Not as likely, but hyper accurate maps globally are powering new navigation and geolocation systems that don’t need satellites. I’m not saying HIMARS con do this, but GPS jamming is BS. Just saying interesting capabilities.
While Moscow’s recent counterspace attacks have been limited to electronic and cyber means to deny space services in Ukraine, it possesses a wide range of capabilities, including systems that can physically destroy satellites on orbit like direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles and high-powered lasers. In 2018 alone, of the 25 global counterspace weapons activities recorded by CSIS, Russia was responsible for nearly half of them.
In 2018 alone, of the 25 global counterspace weapons activities recorded by CSIS, Russia was responsible for nearly half of them.
A small crew sounds great. But then you must start to count. You really need 3 watches, time and labor studies have confirmed that over the past 100 years. And each watch must be able to keep the ship in full combat readiness, including perhaps two dozen extra hands for damage control. A larger galley, an extra sick bay....you can only go so small before you have disposable ships, capable of firing one salvo and then having to be rescued.
Oddly, while the air force creates drone swarms with unmanned full size aircraft, the USN seems to ignore the concept of drone ships, or even drone PT boats.
But that's the same USN that preferred battleships over carriers, and more recently has played with oddball systems and designs that are repeatedly cancelled because they just don't work.
Thanks Sal for another timely, informative video. Your analysis on how we can get ships NOW rather than waiting for them to be built was spot on. Too many of our admirals and members of Congress simply can't think outside the box.
You are a genius. Is anyone in Congress , including Wicker, listening to you? Buzby tried to tell the story, but who was listening. However, you are Golden. .....because your really to know history. You should be in Congress support teaching Congressional Leaders, Maritime History.
Thanks! This has become one of my favorite channels. I also appreciated the naval reading suggestions! :)
I have a video coming out shortly with best naval and maritime books of 2022. Thanks!
thanks for including chapters. this was enjoyable.
This was an important video. Thank You for your thoroughness and ideas.
Wow! This is a high-yield & timely presentation of vitally critical current events and historical context.
Mobility: No matter how many times the Ho Chi Mihn trail was bombed, the VC were always able to rebuild quickly and therefore maintain their mobility. Think back on the result. Mobility is everything.
We need more shipyards period. Your solutions where well thought of and very practical. I hope someone who counts watches this. Thanks from a bubble head.
Brilliant deduction Sal! They never learn. Fingers crossed they get their heads out of their a** and get to it. 🍻 Buddy epic video!
Fast Response Cutters would be a great platform for Philippine navy. We should recondition the older ones for donation and give newer platform to USN.
You have given me a real naval education. Thank you.
We need to focus on building lots of smaller ships. Frigates, Corvettes, sea going but right sized for commerce protection. Would make good sensor and missile platforms and from a pragmatic sense, these don't put as many lives at risk.
That was pretty awesome thanks for the rundown learned a lot about my navy we do need more ships update ships
You have some very valid points there Sal, we could only wish Congress would take note !!!!!
Thank you, Sal! We shall meet in the near future! You truly are a Patriot! Your knowledge is impressive!
Can't agree more! Our efficiency lost over time. Where has the efficiency of repairing Yorktown gone? We should reconsider that are we asking too much but willing to do too little?
Talking about China. I was positioned to Guangdong 13 years ago. To start with, I applied for Internet for my home. I fill in the online form in the morning, paid online at noon, technician came at 5 pm to pull a fios to my apartment and my internet start streaming at 8 pm. My experience with Verizon FIOS was 5 days when I switched from cable to FIOS two years ago in Rockland NY bearing in mind that I did not need to pay Verizon up front. Efficiency is something that we should rethink if we want to maintain our superiority.
Sal,
I pretty much agree with all your comments. I would go a step further in that I believe that additional new build and repair yards are needed. If both Navy and commercial fleets are to built at the same time there needs to be both expansion of existing shipyards and new shipyards to replace the Avondales, Bethlehem Steels and Todds. There are a limited number of repair yards left for commercial ships. They were original replaced by Japanese and South Korean shipyards. Nowadays repair yards in China and Singapore are used.
I believe the Navy's 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 utilization of their fleet needs rework. Commercial vessels operate on a twice in five years, not to exceed 3 years, docking schedule. One docking will be for a major overhaul, about one month, and the other for a shave and a haircut, two weeks. And they are expected to be available as close to 100% as possible. the rest of the time. While given the complexity of naval vessels more downtime is a given, but a naval vessel probably spends 60% of it's life in dock or alongside a pier. My guess is sustaining the fleels in a combat would be nearly impossible.
Bob
Sal, agree with points but please do a video on state of allied navies (number of merchant marine, flat tops being constructed, VLS, number of ships, etc.). Curious if US naval doctrine is now, “encourage allied navies suck as Japan, S. Korea, Australia, and others) to build more and bigger.
European Navies may be in similar state as USA but if they are trying to build more that would be interesting.
Or are all navies except China shrinking?
Thanks for what you do.
Great comment and one I fully support.
Another riveting webcast Prof Sal. Sad we are where we are today. Probably most disturbing is our industrial base cannot be the Arsenal of Democracy as it was in WW2 and of course we would not be able to replace our losses never mind meet our ammo needs. Keep up the great work.
I really hope they pass the Shipyard Act, it would be a small step in the right direction but it needs to happen. We have known about these issues for years yet the politicians continue arguing. The US depends on maritime power and without it we are lost. We invite war and looking away will cost us dearly. I don't understand how this is not being taken more seriously. We need more ships, shipyards, a better plan and we need it now.
@@ab9840 I’ll will read it, thanks. I will only add that I believe many of the issues we face are self inflicted, meaning we had and could have the industrial capacity but did away with the experienced workforce and relied heavily on a few builders. We allowed too much to move elsewhere. We stopped providing the infrastructure needed and no private investment is going to be made unless they can depend on the contracts. Too many short sighted decisions and the US has to have the political will to make changes, they certainly have the money.
Well done speech & critique in accuracy, astutitude & professionalism!
You have some innovative ideas about how to fill capability gaps in the fleet, hopefully some decision makers watch this and put these ideas to good use!
Really good episode today - thanks for helping raise awareness about a critically overlooked defense issue.
Thank you for your support.
Six Frigates! Great read, almost required reading for navy types.
Tim McGrath's book makes you appreciate Six Frigates even more.
Another great analysis, thank you
One of the best videos yet,I don’t think the general public has idea what is going on the us Navy.
Great review. I experienced a view from many angles. Thanks, Sal. Love❤
Sal, have you contacted the Senator? These folks need to know the kind of information you have.
Info-packed, high quality content! Thank you for this analysis and breakdown!!!!
Sal, thank you for your wisdom. I hope your influence will grow.
All in favor of Sal takeing charge of America's Sea Defenses and make sure it becomes reality...say aye!
You are legitimately SO much more qualified to be our transportation secretary than our actual transportation secretary
Thank you for today's issue of Sal's Sunday Paper. It was long, but it was filled with a ton of interesting information, so it actually didn't seem long. So as always keep them coming.
Now I need to order a couple of books.
Sal, regarding your photo of Alfred Thayer Mahan, at first glance it looks like the medals on his uniform display the letters "F.U.". So I can see why you respect him so much. Any military person with "F.U." on his uniform is definitely a badass.
😂
Love your work and the video, btw.
😂
Professor Sal, great job on review of congressional material acts that impact not just shipping, but defense. I think one item you have mentioned is the use of merchant marine. We need to BUILD UP MERCHANT MARINE tonnage and the navy. US Built AND utilize our allies as well.
As we move towards building the fiber optic support vessels the problem I see is opportunity. The opportunity to use these vessels as detection and deterrence of mischief to critical infrastructure. All fitted with ROVs and other submersibles for maintaining and laying new specialized fiber optics.
With regards to China’s long term potential it’s massive debt without the hidden debt is almost 1/3 of the world’s entire debt. Recent analysis shows real GDP is $5.3 Trillion not $18T. Something has to give.
I would suggest that with massive debt and chronic poverty war or some conflict with China becomes more likely. Xi Jinping is in deep trouble already now long before 2027.
Conflict over Taiwan is nearly assured. Within the next decades, the last of the Taiwanese who actually remember being part of China will be retiring. When that happens, the likelihood of reintegration decreases... because the people coming in will have grown up in an independent state. They will not see themselves as the Chinese government in exile. While there is a limited reunion party, many more have seen how they treated Hong Kong... and are as likely to support reunion as the people of southern Ireland voting to return to Great Britain. I have friends there, since my other home is Bagiuo City, Philippines, and most of the time I will travel through Taiwan on my way.
The Chinese government is led by people who see all of the South China sea as theirs, the island of Taiwan as theirs. And as they see the island becoming less and less China, they will eventually act.
Sal talks about nobody saw the invasion of Ukraine... but they did. We have had warnings since the early teens. Defense analysts had warned that the expansion into Crimea would not be the limit, any more than the early expansion of the National Socialist party was... even when its leader promised he had no further plans to expand. Right now, we are where the world was in 1936, except with weapons that place a WW 3 out of the question. There cannot be another Normandy. There cannot be another race to the Reine. And it will be interesting.
@@leechowning2712 PRC won’t exist very soon. It’s collapsing from within.
After catching the last couple of minutes (my pervious was after your 1st set of suggestions) don't apologize about the length, this may be one of the most important videos you've put out....If I were the president, I would be moving you from the Maritime Administrator to CNO. I'll be sharing this around Sal
So this is about the power balance in the West Pacific. However, Japan, South Korea and Australia are stepping up enforcing their ability to protect their territory and project power in the region and India is also right there having tensions with the PRC. I'd like to see how the combined powers stack up? Because China, strangely, does not have many friends close to home it seems.... 🤔
I like the idea of repurposing those Coast Guard vessel designs. The Fast Response Cutter is similar in size, and could be close on capability to the Royal Navy River Class. The Royal Navy may be smaller, but we do use our ships a bit more efficiently based on what Sal is saying (Let me clarify, that we have little choice). The River Class are deployed to different UK forward bases around the world to police and then the Type 23 and Type 45 are on exercise with other nations or doing pretty specific roles. Although I am not excited by conflict, we aren't moving fast enough, and the RN isn't doing it perfectly, the Royal Navy is gradually becoming more capable again. The Type 26 and Type 31 are exciting developments and the Type 31' aren't all that different from the larger cutter mentioned, and will be similarly armed to what Sal suggested.
I would love to see the US Navy restored. It seems the only way to deal with any issues with China, is as has been seen recently with Russia, going to be a combined effort by Nato.
River class is about 6 times larger than an FRC.
@@jm2453 It is larger, but not 6 times larger. I am simply pointing out that they can perform similar roles, even if the River Class has more displacement. The biggest difference is that the FRC simply won't have helicopter landing facilities. The block 1 river class isn't all that different really.
Pretty neat idea there having a fast attack squadron of small boats like a air craft carrier. That could be a very useful tool in a commanders tool box.
I was at the launching of DDG 72 USS Mahan at Bath Iron works in 98. They had descendants of Adm Mahan present. Still have the hat!
Dated a gal once whose dad served on the prior Mahan.
Having worked in shipyards in the US, I can say with extreme conviction that we must get the unions out of the business. Unbelievable corruption and laziness.
Which unions are you talking about ??
@@grooviefan teamsters, ILA, UAW mainly. AMO, and SIU, I have no problem with. The IUMSWA is horrible for production and thievery.
@@christopherw4527 the ILA has nothing to do w ship building.
@@grooviefan @jeff case Not directly no. But indirectly yes. 20 years ago a princess cruise ship came into dry dock. The refit materials came mostly by ship in 20 foot containers. Who unloaded those ships, and did the in-port drayage? ILA is who. Containers of TV"S and tinned wiring went missing during the process. Months later the talk was about how everyone of the "brothers" received a TV, and there was nothing anyone was going to do about it. Union strong, means Union strong arm robbery in too many cases. I bring up many many other cases, but that would be useless, as political motivations triumph over morals these days.
@@christopherw4527 that doesn’t happen on the west coast.. 24/7 security and FBI and treasury dept oversight eliminated that nonsense decades ago.
Thank you. I'm in the military ships. Thank you once again. God bless you and keep on keeping on.
Sal for president!
We are in trouble! 🤣😱
Mississippi has 44 miles of Coast line and 4 shipyards. The Senator is spot on with his speech, and Mississippi can build a NAVY.
Long yet worth the time. Thanks
Professor Sal, there is a new “small nuclear” power engine being built for space flight which could power smaller vessels possibly. I realize that this is not easy or quick qualification.
Sal. You are opening so many eyes. Thank you.
Sal I agree. I served on Knox class frigates doing the type of missions you are describing in the 1980's. I would caution though, the American public is very causality adverse. What you are proposing is a forward deployed "trip wire" with little or no air defence. All good until the balloon goes up. Once it does those crews will be toast.
It is a question about having front line units forward and knocked out versus having them back. I would not see the frigates in East Asia but relieving the DDGs in other areas.
Those NSMVs are a great reason the jones act needs revisions. I’ve been in and out of that shipyard to see the progress and while it’s been “on time”/“on budget” it’s because of those things that need to be changed.
I’m glad they are making progress with them. My sister was lucky to tour the new Empire State yesterday actually and see the new MASS NSMV as well, but man, am I sad to see the Steam Ships slowly losing their place in the training fleet, as while not applicable to the commercial fleet, the training experience associated with power generation, thermodynamics, and general maintenance that these merchant marines in training need, will be pushed aside in the name of these new NSMVs
That being said, I’ll be trying my best to get aboard the Lone Star State, or another NSMV as an engineer when they launch, to see what it is like.
Edit: I’m not saying modular components from another country is a bad thing, but let’s remember ONE (not main, but one) purpose of the Jones Act, is that ships are built here in America, so we do not need to rely on other countries. Imagine how rough things could get in a time of war, and we start cranking out new ships, those modules floating across the ocean, are great targets for submarines and other attack vessels on the seas. I could be being a skeptic, but it’s just my opinion.
Additionally, the amount of domestic labor (which I know is more expensive) that is outsourced in the name of those modular components, is ALOT.
This is absolutely common sense. Well done Sal!
SAL, as an ex RRF RO-RO MREO, you sure are a wealth of info on everything in shipping
Pretty amazing coverage of shipping, period
What about the option of buying a few ships direct from Denmark? Isn’t the frem architecture a danish design?😮
It is an Italian/French design.
The elephant in the room no one talks about is "Where do we get the crew for 600 ships, more or less". President Reagan had the draft to crew a 600-ship navy. Today, there is no draft and we have an expensive navy personnel roster. Ukraine is taking all the money the USN needs to bulk up construction.
Here’s what I find interesting; particularly in light of your last video - talking about the power of soft force projection. If we (the us) want to be a deterrent to regional skirmishes our ability to provide logistics, presence and stability far exceeds the deterrence of our sophisticated warships.
I dont know much about naval things but what Sal said makes sense to me
Thanks, I hope this gets more attention. Sage I hope this bill gets built up and added to to make it better. If the Admirals of the Navy can't make the right decisions, especially long term ones, that's when Congress needs to step in. Require them by law to work on less sexy stuff, like support and logistics. And we need Spares and Repairs requirements.
Australia wants to increase their ship engineering and building industry. We can work with them to help supplement and share costs to pad out capability if needed.
Professor Sal, while I agree with you and the senator, the one question I have is, where is the Navy going to get the crew to man these ships? Recruitment is down among all of the armed forces and an increase in shipbuilding means an increase in people to man these new ships. I'm sure that a large percentage of your viewers have seen the latest USN 'recruitment' video, so where are the crews going to come from? That said, great video, worth the nearly hour to watch, happy to support the channel on Patreon.
paint the ship rainbow colors and serve only vegan food. ship captain must be transgender.
Wow, really didn't know what are navy readiness was till I started watching you. Very informative and made me really think, how can we get are government to listen to this. Us.
Contracts, contracts, contracts. Without contracts, no shipyard capacity. When I was a kid, I lived in the Seattle area. We had a number of shipyards . We had shipyards in Seattle building amphibious ships and fast frigates, and a number of other vessels. We had Tacoma building smaller auxiliaries and patrol boats. We had Portland building ships. We were even building ships in Vancouver. Virtually all that capacity and skill base are now gone. And most of the land used to build them is gone. It has been sold off and repurposed to non maritime uses in many cases, or turned into container shipping terminals. Just giant parking lots with s few giant container cranes.
And any new shipyard to be built is going to have massive opposition from the usual cast of characters who will oppose and tie up the construction of new ship building facilities for years.
It’s going to be a real emotional and political shock when sometime in the next 10 or 20 years China comes along and anaxes both the South China, Sea, and Taiwan, and there is nothing that the United States will be able to do to stop it because we will not be able to compete with the Chinese military.
What is the main constraint!!? Political Will? Finance?? Or availability of shipyards (dry docks)??
Finance is a huge deal, with the creation of brics.
Political distraction. Some suspect driven by PRC.
Your grasp of the problem, and your solutions are impressive. I hope the Navy watches your page.
Really great episode, I learned so much.
Thank you, Sal. This was enlightening. Enjoyed your solutions to the problems. Do you have a write-up of this episode to share with our Senators?
Hey SAL how's it going buddy I watch your video,s just about every day sometimes 3_4 times a day really enjoyed it Myself am retired merchants Mariner Captain with my unlemented tonnage master's. Take care stay safe. Your Fan.
My son was a pacific coast Navy sailor, who retired two years ago and as this families 4th gen Navy sailor, said that today's Navy isn't just about old ships and equipment degrading, it's also about the quality of individuals and their training being well below the standards and requirements when he was a young sailor. Based on his expert assessment of the caliber of men, training, equipment and vessels, we are as a nation in dire straits as a modern Navy. With ships and equipment being sub par and the emotional preponderance of the average blue jacket, his, and my, fear is that we may have already lost the next naval conflict before a hostile shot is fired. Truly sad the condition of our once great navy.
71 subs - total production of torpedoes was 1046 as of 2000, and about 50 per year since. Depending on class, up to 28 torps per sub. Given that the inventory not on the subs is scattered world wide, there are really not enough for a second war patrol by each sub. This does not even consider how old the stock is. Nor can we ramp up production to a war fighting level. The supply of missiles is similar, same for mines, same for ASW sonic-buoys. We have retired the long range strike and patrol aircraft. The published number of kits for smart bombs is also small. The heavy bombers are neither trained nor equipped for naval operations, nor are there very many of them (about 100 B52, one squadron each of the other two types [I could be wrong, maybe a few more]. In any case less than 200 heavy bombers, and they are hard tasked for other missions. No medium bombers even exist. All we got are fighters and fighter bombers. The 5 inch cannon is all but retired. The air to air AMMRAM stocks are mostly out of date and too short ranged. The latest version AMMRAM D3 (or is it 3D?).
Relative to your ship interest, I'd complain the supply of high speed transports is too small. Unfortunately it is not a problem, because the supply stocks are so small, and the resupply factories are too small and slow. Don't need a semi-truck to transport two lunch pails.
Lloyd's Register says about 60,000 ships world wide. We only got enough weapons to inconvenience China: their build rate appears to exceed our weapons build rates.
Good points. I think you discount the potential of the P-8 as a strake platform. Use carrier fighters as escort. Carrier brings fighters where they otherwise wouldn't be. P-8 could carry 6 LRASM or 12 NSM with 5 MALD decoys.
In1961-64 I served on 2 ships commissioned in 1945. Neither of them had seen action in WW2. They weren't even 20 years old, and we considered them old! How times have changed.
I would add that one of my ships was the Barnegat class seaplane tender, USS Greenwich Bay AVP41. Power was by a pair of submarine type diesel engines capable of 17 knots., and sailed from Little Creek, Virginia to Rota, Spain, 11 days and 11 knots, no pit stops. The G.B. and two other AVP's (Valcour and Duxbury Bay) rotated as at sea flag ships for COMIDEASTFOR, a rear admiral, in Bahrein. This ship type also served as PT Boat tenders, and after the war, several became U.S. Coast Guard cutters and one, a royal yacht! They were 1700 tons, 310 feet long, 41-foot beam, and 13-foot draft. The GB had a single 5-inch 38, gun turret and two 40mm mounts. A modified version would seem to fill the pirate bill and perform the "show the flag" duties. A bit more speed would have been nice, maybe 20 knots (the diesel-turbine combination).
Very interesting and informative…keep it up. 👍🇺🇦👍🇺🇦
Great video, Professor. I hope it reaches the right eyes and ears.
For those who lack vision, there is the risk that hubris can become nemesis.
Hi Sal, I may have missed it but has the Shipyard Act been passed? After graduation from KP in 1973, I worked at Todd's in San Pedro designing systems and purchasing equipment. Upon starting my own business in Baltimore, I worked with the engineers and mates on ships with equipment repairs and replacement. Bethlehem Shipyard was vacant at that time. One MARAD ship was a steamship from the Lykes lines and it is going on 50 years old. I agree with you that the Shipyard Act should also improve upon the shipbuilding capacity of commercial ships. The training ships that Philly ship are building are only being assembled in Philly. Everything from the design and purchase of equipment, etc., is being supplied by S. Korea. This does not assist with the American supporting companies such as steel, piping, equipment, etc. Not only that, if all the equipment on these ships is purchased in Korea, the standards that are used may not provide the life required and parts may by had to come by. I watched your video on the Decline of the Merchant Marine and it is excellent. I would venture to say that this type of management in the Navy and MARAD is prevalent throughout the services as well. Something needs to be done to protect the U.S. and it may be too late.