Fair enough. I know when I'm beaten.

I *am* new here. Well spotted. I've lurked on enough like forums long enough to know not to engage in pointless off-topic, er ... ah. Thanks.

I'd like to see where this goes. The Wikipedia 'Millennium Challenge' article refers to an armada of small boats which now-9-year-old tech couldn't defeat. How could a similar attack be defeated by technology now at the USA's disposal? My strategic choice: Forget IFF (or whatever's supplanted it,) why not try a competing armada? Painted, let's say, blue.

The element of surprise would work very nicely as a substitute for one (seemingly very talented) man.

Signed up just to say thanks for the above common sense post. It and the links make for very informative if uncomfortable reading. My apologies for wasting your time with this.