How would you conquer the U.S.

[sachmo71]

Originally posted by The Eliminator

The only thing I don't agree with so far on the American side is the confidence some have shown in Tomcats and Hornets. Tomcats are 35 years old, Hornets are 25 - and that is as good as it gets for the Navy. I would take Harriers any day. However, the Invinvible or the Hermes would'nt get 20 minutes into the North Atlantic Drift before they are sunk.

Yes, the AIRFRAMES are old. The electronics are upgraded to a point where their lethality is cutting edge. If they are as good as the Navy gets, they are doing just fine.
You want to know what a Harrier does better than a Tomcat or a Hornet? In a dogfight, they would give those supersonic fighters fits, especially with thrust vectoring. Unfortunately, Phoenix and AMRAAM missles would swat those dragonfly Harriers out of the sky before they even had the Tomcat/Hornet fighter squadrons on radar...

[Dis]

american's won't fight. I can't believe the thread degenerated to this

funniest thing I seen all day.

It's funny how 1 little conflict seems to define the attitudes of modern day americans. I need to flame sid meier for that as well. War weariness my ass.

[sachmo71]

Originally posted by Dissident
american's won't fight. I can't believe the thread degenerated to this

funniest thing I seen all day.

It's funny how 1 little conflict seems to define the attitudes of modern day americans. I need to flame sid meier for that as well. War weariness my ass.

You know what? I honestly don't care anymore that people in other countries think that we are soft. I don't care if they don't like our foreign policy. All I can say is, please, don't make us angry. You wouldn't like us when we're angry.

Plus, the progress America has made in 200 years must make them wonder what the hell they have been doing of the last 1000. No one likes an upstart. Especially a cocky one, like America.

[Faeelin]

Actually, I'm trying to figure out how this would occur. I'll buy that China and Russia go to war with the US, along with the Islamic states, maybe southern Asia. Perhaps the majority of the EU would as well, although since they disagree with any wars I find it hard to see them launching their massive armadas at the US But I see the following countries neutral or US allies: Taiwan, Israel, Canada, UK, Australia. Japan would probably be neutral as well. What does this mean? Since Canada probably won't be too thrilled with rampaging European armies crossing through their nation, they'll probably also fight. The key aspect that the US gets enough oil from Canada and Alaska for military uses. So while rationing will be in place, you won't freeze the USA. With most of the Pacific neutral, the US can divert its forces to fight the European armada, from Iceland. Invasion of America is pretty much impossible at this point. In addition, the US can simply blockade Argentina, or simply destroy the naval convoys carrying grain. With Australia, Canada, Argentina, and America no longer selling grain, expect the world to starve in short order. Oh, and with Britain neutral, the naval balance of power starts to swing heavily in the USA's favor. Mainly because they're one of the few nations which have carrier groups, and one of the others being the USA.

[David Floyd]

Faelin, the naval balance is already heavily with the US, read above

In your list of neutral or US-allied nations, I'd also include South Korea.

The only nations I put as US allies were Israel,SK, and Taiwan - but that is only for obvious reasons. The US would still win big even fighting EVERYONE, since the Pacific and Asian nations cannot mount a credible threat to a single US Pacific possession, other than MAYBE Okinawa or Guam. It reverts back to the scenario I've described above in length, that MarkL still hasn't commented on I might add

[Transcend]

All democratic, industrial nations will never fight each other. As long as Russia and America are sitting in the same boat, an invasion against America can never succeed. Should the US really lose conventionally in face of an invasion, which I think is highly improbable, it will simply unleash hell on any attacking countries.

[The Eliminator]

If you are assuming that Taiwan and ROK are with the US, I'm also assuming that you'd know that they would be over-run by the Chinese and N Koreans in a matter of days/weeks. The Americans would withdraw their fleet from Taiwan asap, and probably airlift the garrison out of ROK asap. Also assuming that the Japanese and their F-15's would get decimated by your louded Naval Aviators (whose task force is in retreat), you now have Japan as an airbase. In a matter of hours you could have hundreds of fighters/bombers stationed securely in Okinowa. From there there should be no problem in wiping out China's Sukhois and Russias Migs. From airbases in the Aleutians, Japan, and Northern Alaska and Canada, you easily control 1/4 of Russian airspace. Until, of course, the Russians realize they cannot win and nuke Japan.

From Gander and Thule, American fighters would knock anything out of the sky that attempts to get off of Iceland, hence Icelandic air superiority.

Saying that the Americans would be "heavily engaged" with the PLAAF is a bit of an exaggeration. Sure they may have thousands of fighters, but how many work? Don't forget that none of their pilots are veterans.. Not much of a challenge for the Americans, especially up against F-16's and F-15's.

Navally, the Americans would have very little above surface forces in the East Pacific, fleets wouldn't stand a chance as the Tomcats would probably ensure a 15:1 kill ratio, but the maintenance required after each mission would be crippling. However, if the USMC stationed a couple of platforms with their much superior Harriers, the tide would quickly turn.

Also, don't forget about Midway, Ascention, and all of the other dozens of US Airbases around the world. The only airforce that could challenge them on a serious level would probably be the UK and France combined. American numbers and factories would overcome any losses.

Bottom line, USAF is unbeatable. Without USAF cover, the navy would not be as invincible as everyone assumes. Remember, all we've seen thus far is extremely lop sided engagements. Look at the challenge (although very minimal) that Argentina gave England! Times that by 100 and you have modern European forces destroying a very large proportion of American Carriers.