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I was pleased to contribute to this must-watch @WSJ explainer video on China's new Shuiqiao-class "invasion barges" (LPUs), which appear to be built to support an invasion of Taiwan.
Tom Shugart
21.1K posts
Tom Shugart
@tshugart3
Defense analyst, former submariner, bugsmasher pilot/flight instructor. Founder, Archer Strategic Consulting. @cnasdc Adjunct Senior Fellow. Opinions my own.
Alexandria, VA
Joined June 2013
- Nuclear engineer here. Nuclear reactors absolutely *can* be turned off at the flick of a switch (like this one). It may not be economical or sensible to do so, but it's a key safety feature in every reactor I've ever heard of.
Replying to @TurnbullMalcolmNuclear plants do none of that. They run continuously. Cannot be turned on and off at the flick of a switch. Thus even if they weren’t hugely expensive and take decades to build they are NOT the right fit for Australia’s energy mix.Readers added contextThis is outdated and misleading. Modern reactors, designed for complementing renewables, can now adjust their output to match grid demands, such as reducing power during times of high renewable generation. France and parts of North America already use this flexibility today. energy.gov/ne/articles/3-… - As a DC area pilot, I'm stunned by the tragedy at DCA last night, & my thoughts go out to the loved ones of those who perished in the crash. There's a fair bit of ill-informed opining going on about what happened, which is unhelpful. Here's what looks to me like the best
- Don't want to sound alarmist, but IMO it's notable that at this time of US-China tension, 3 of China's largest/newest roll-on/roll-off civilian ferries appear to be off their normal routes and are in or have moved south toward the Taiwan Strait. All 3 are associated with the PLA.
- What if I told you that as I type this there was a vessel, associated with the Chinese PLA, that *could* be equipped with many dozens of anti-ship cruise missiles—and was parked less than 4 miles from the bulk of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Well guess what: it's happening—for real.
- Anybody know what weapon system the Indians used to crater Pakistani runways? Pretty precise, by the looks of it. Pakistani air/missile defenses?
- This is an image captured the last time the United States fought a peer naval power at sea.
00:58Gen. Smith: “The advantage lies with us because our last combat was captured on somebody’s iPhone 14... The Chinese’ last combat was captured on oil and canvas, and they should not forget that... I would not undersell the value that our combat experience brings to this fight.” - A reminder, given today's Ukrainian drone strikes, that it is becoming borderline-insane that we routinely allow ships *owned and operated by DoD-designated Chinese military companies* to sit in our ports with thousands of containers onboard and under their control.What if I told you that as I type this there was a vessel, associated with the Chinese PLA, that *could* be equipped with many dozens of anti-ship cruise missiles—and was parked less than 4 miles from the bulk of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Well guess what: it's happening—for real.
- China’s parade is about to get started. Xi is making a speech where he says China is a force for peace, development, etc. Anyway…time to roll those new missiles, UxVs, armored vehicles, etc. (I’ll be posting any stuff that I see that’s particularly interesting. Here we go…)
- Incredible video + still photo images here.
02:28My view of the collision at sea of China Coast Guard 3104 and PLA Navy 164 in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales, Philippines. Before this, the Chinese navy and coast guard ships nearly collided twice trying to outmaneuver BRP Suluan of the Philippine Coast Guard. - "protecting world peace"
00:32The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has always been “a wall of steel” protecting the nation. With its enhanced capabilities, the #PLA is today much more able to protect world peace as well as the motherland. - I am admittedly more of an analyst of the Pacific military balance. That said, as a military analyst I've no idea what this significant military threat to Greenland is. The Russian navy? I doubt it - too small and too old. China? Not anytime soon. So...what is it? I'm baffled.Vance: We have no other option. We need to take a significant position in Greenland to keep the people here safe and to keep our own country safe.
00:00 - I really hope the USAF is taking notes. Because continuing to lack robust anti-drone *passive* defenses (nets, shelters, etc.) over OUR strategic aircraft (bomber fleet, AWACS, etc.) would—at this point—constitute near-criminal negligence.
