The American Armada
In the 1950s when President Dwight D Eisenhower left office, he left with a sobering warning. “Beware the Military-Industrial Complex. “
The military-industrial complex (MIC) involves major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and Boeing, which dominate Pentagon contracts, alongside others such as BAE Systems, L3Harris, Huntington Ingalls, and Leidos, producing key weapons systems and providing services, influencing defense spending and policy. These companies build fighter jets (F-35, F-15EX), bombers (B-21), submarines, and missile systems, ensuring a steady flow of defense funding
.Key Players (US-Based Prime Contractors)
● Lockheed Martin: F-35 fighter jets, space systems.
● RTX (Raytheon): Missile defense, aerospace systems.
● Northrop Grumman: B-21 bomber, cyber solutions, space technology.
● General Dynamics: Submarines, armored vehicles, ground systems.
● Boeing: Combat jets (F-15EX), military aircraft.
Other Significant Companies
● L3Harris Technologies: Communications, sensors.
● BAE Systems: Global defense, naval ships.
● Huntington Ingalls Industries: Naval shipbuilding.
● Leidos: IT, engineering, scientific services.
● Booz Allen Hamilton: Management consulting for defense.
● GE Aerospace/Honeywell: Aerospace components.
How They Operate
Prime Contractors: These firms develop and build major weapon systems, securing long-term contracts.
● Lobbying: They heavily influence Washington’s budget and policy processes to secure funding.
● “Upgrades”: When projects near completion, they lobby for new or upgraded versions, ensuring continuous revenue.
Global Context
While US companies dominate, large defense contractors also exist in China (CASIC), Europe (Airbus, Thales, Saab), and Russia (United Aircraft Corporation).
Fast forward to 2025,
70 years later America has two armadas, consisting of two Navy battle Groups. One in the Caribbean and another headed to the middle east. Each one consists of our finest air craft carriers, each on holding 90 aircraft. There support ships range from nuclear submarines, to airborne radar aircraft. Each one is a small city with nuclear power, 5000 sailors and a first class restaurant to feed the sailors. No one homeless or starving.
Their defenses are impressive,ranging from air to air missiles and decoy drones as well as jamming radarsShould an enemy aircraft penetrate this first line of defense a hails storm of depleted uranium shells spit out of a turret capable of firing 60 rounds per second would shred incoming aircraft.(Phalanx).
Phalanx 20mm Gatling Gun That Fires 75 Rounds Per Second - C-RAM & CIWS
Now let’s look at the offensive component of the Carrier Group
F22, F35 fighter aircraft, the venerable F16 and others.
Let’s not forget the underwater actors which act as both a defense agains enemy submarines, and carry considerable air power with air to air protection and air to ground cruise missiles.
All of these systems have proven themselves in multiple missions.
Where is the U.S.A. headed with all this power?
1. A support organization to protect Iranian citizens attempting to overthrow the theocracy (Ayotollahs). A warning to the theocracy what will come if protestors are executed.
2. A first strike at the head of the regime
3. Protection of area American Bases from retaliatory strikes.
1. Seems most likely and is already in operation.
2. Tempting but unlikely. Our armed forces could easily shred Iran, and a small ground continent could capture the Ayatollah. Then again much like in Venezuela who would take over to govern Iran? Nation building has not been one of America’s skills.
3. We are quite capable of defending our bases, and our allie Israel would be more than happy to eliminate a country that wished to destroy not only Israel, but all Jews.
Iran has shut down access to the internet, however Starlink which is satellite based still operates. Some thought has been given to flooding Iran with Starlink terminals. This would enable protestors to become more organized.
The solution may be a combination of all of the above timed for the best outcome.
Iran no longer has the threat of a nuclear retaliation.
America should convince giving asylum to the Ayatollah, however they may not want him.