Arsenal ship are a generation beyond that. We have a target impact
area of no greater than one meter, Mr. President. Less than
thirty-six inches, and from a range of over eighty miles away. There’s
not an aircraft on that carrier that can match that kind of targeting
precision. And there’s one other factor,” he continued. “Something
that will make it the ultimate political war weapon.”
“The targeting?” The President frowned. “I don’t know that it’s such
a good idea.”
The chairman stepped forward until he was standing three feet away from
the President. “The entire Arsenal ship is capable of being remotely
targeted. Mr. President, based on your experiences on the land, you
know how critical unity of command and avoiding blue-on-blue
engagements is.
One screw up between the aircraft and we take out a friendly land
force.
But with the Arsenal ship, all movements can be controlled directly
from here, from this very room if you wish. You will truly be the
first commander in chief able to act immediately in response to
changing battlefield conditions, making sure the war is fought exactly
as you wanted it. Even the most advanced communications suite in the
world can’t give you that.” He pointed at Admiral Magruder, who now
stared down at the floor in disgust.
“The admiral can’t promise you that, not with flights of Tomcats and
Hornets filling up the sky and getting in each other’s way.”
The President looked over at Admiral Magruder. “Well?
What about it? My predecessor seemed to trust you. You and I don’t
know each other that well yet. Let me hear what you think.”
“I think it’s a big mistake, maybe the biggest one you’ll make during
this term,” Vice Admiral Magruder said bluntly. He stood and walked
briskly to the front of the room. “Targeting decisions belong in the
military arena, Mr. President. No disrespect intended, but you simply
do not have the time to develop the in-depth targeting and weaponeering
capabilities here that that battle group commander already has. Has,
and practices regularly.” Vice Admiral Magruder shook his head. “You
get into micromanagement from the White House or even from the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and you put lives at risk. Conditions change too
quickly, and the battlefront is too fluid to allow that. You must
remember that.” The admiral’s voice took on an urgent quality.
“That’s exactly the point that you always miss. Admiral,” the chairman
said angrily. “We can bring that technology to the President’s
office.
He can make every decision, just as though he were on the scene. And,
more importantly, he can make this conflict what it truly is a
political statement. An extension of his foreign policy, a
demonstration of his individual will. How do you think that will
affect the Cubans, knowing that the man on the other end of the hot
line has his finger poised exactly over the fire control circuits?”
“They’ll think he’s a fool,” Vice Admiral Magruder said quietly.
“Because even the Cubans remember Vietnam.” He turned back to the
President. “As do you, sir. You were there. You know what happens
when Washington makes individual targeting decisions on a daily
basis.
How could you forget?”
The President nodded slowly, then frowned. “We spent an awful lot of
money on the Arsenal concept, though. And what the chairman says is
true war is an extension of political objectives. Although sometimes I
think it’s the other way around politics is a continuation of war by
other means.” He looked back and forth between the two men. “Install
the equipment. General.” He raised one hand to forestall Magruder’s
protest. “I’m not saying we’ll use it.
For now, the battle group commander remains on-scene commander.
However, I want detailed plans from him regarding his proposed use of
the Arsenal ship. And make it clear to him that I view this as an
excellent opportunity to use our advanced technology, and to
demonstrate its usefulness in any battlefield scenario.” His voice
took on a firmer note. “This will work. Admiral if your people give
it half a chance.”
The chairman nodded sharply. He turned to Admiral Magruder. “I’ll
expect to see the plans later this evening.”