On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 19:16:07 -0400, "Howard C. Berkowitz"
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:16:14 -0400, "Howard C. Berkowitz"
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

On 14 Sep 2005 09:07:04 -0700, wrote:


Peter Skelton wrote:


[SNIP]


Surface to air technology has improved to the point where a
Harpoon launcher can be at excessive risk. ISTM that the USAF
wants to stand back a bit farther.

Peter Skelton



Which brings me back to the question in the original post. Why is
the USAF taking the lead in this, and not the Navy?

Because there's a part of the navy that regards surface ships as
targets.

Peter Skelton

When did submarines start air launching?

Think about what you just said.

Peter Skelton

OK, launching in air, not WITH air.

Think harder.

The USN is not nearly as motivated as the air force to develop an
air-based way to take out surface ships because their primary
weapon against them is the submarine.

The USN is probably better off overall if surface ships are hard
to take out from the air. It protects their submarine arm from
their real enemy, the USAF, on the battlefield that matters,
appropriations.


Peter Skelton