Subject: Re: Those Trump Class "Battleships"
I cannot imagine how this ever happens. Trump is trying to set naval strategy based on nostalgia, rather than what modern naval combat actually involves.

1. Trump’s been in office less than 1 year. You think the Navy came up with this in the last 11 months given the glacial procurement pace?

2. The Arleigh Burkes have been stretched as far as that hull design will go.

3. The Navy needs an in-shore support capability that’s not missile based. In other words, good old-fashioned Naval gunfire support.

4. It’s highly likely that there’s more to this than meets the eye with respect to capability.

5. The ship will also be paired with a lighter weight aircraft carrier.

6. Symbology is important in Navies.