Welcome to SixthFleet.Com, the Cyberspace Home of author David E. Meadows. "When Meadows' men set sail, it's sure to be a mission like no other." --W.E.B. Griffin "Rip-snorting, realistic action-adventure from a man who has been there. David Meadows is the real thing," --Stephen Coonts author of numerous bestsellers, including Flight of the Intruder, Saucer, America, and Liberty. "An absorbing, compelling look at America's future place in the world. It's visionary, and scary. Great battle scenes, believable heroes, plus villains you'll love to hate!" -Joe Buff, bestselling author of Straits of Power, Tidal Rip, and Crush Depth. "David E. Meadows is simply the best writer of naval thriller/adventure fiction out there today." --Tom Wilson, acclaimed author of Black Canyon, Desert Fury, Tango Uniform and other best selling military thrillers.

New Navy

Vertical Launch System - U.S. warships have come a long way since the days when missile launchers were above main deck and visible to other ships operating within the horizon. Today, missiles wait their cue in launch tubes that are beneath and flush with the main deck in what is referred to as a Vertical Launch System (VLS). VLS provides the warship with weapon stealth and flexibility. Flexibility to pick and chose its missile of choice (e.g., surface to air, surface to surface, anti-submarine) and stealth by keeping the 'missile of the day' secret until it's launched.

("Come on down! Have you played this game before? Good. You have three doors in front of you, behind one is a surface-to-air missile; behind another is an anti-submarine rocket; and, unfortunately, behind one of these great doors is no missile because we've already fired it. Now, do you feel lucky? Good. Which door will it be?")

It also makes it easier to keep the topside shipshape for those workhorses of the sea; Boatswain Mates, because they don't have to work around additional protrusions above the deck.

Of course, when visiting third world countries where the folk find little time to sit around reading and discussing new warfare technology, it makes the warship look unarmed except for those puny-looking, but deadly one-barrel 5-inch/60 cannons mounted fore and aft. I always thought that the cost of keeping a battleship operational was more than returned in the intrinsic value it bought America when it sailed into a foreign port for a visit. (It's a lot easier to send a Navy warship with a couple of thousand sailors in it for a foreign port visit than to have several Air Force C-5s fly over and a couple thousand Rangers parachute into the city for a visit. It's also a little less threatening because a warship visit coveys a sense of American might while paratroopers would convey a sense of fear.)

JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA is Meadows' newest novel scheduled for release in March 2005.

Read More About JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA

JOINT TASK FORCE AFRICA A Navy EP-3E is hit by a missile and before the pilot can recover control of the aircraft four aircrew bail out over West Africa, landing in the middle of an African civil war. It is a fast-pace story as Admiral Holman races to rescue the Sailors before they are killed or captured. "Meadows will keep you turning pages and thinking new thoughts." --Newt Gingrich "Rip-snorting, realistic action-adventure from a man who has been there." --Stephen Coonts "When Meadows' men set sail, it's sure to be a mission like no other." --W.E.B. Griffin "Fast-paced, roller-coaster ride with this exhilarating military thriller. Dynamic writer with a fresh voice in this technical-ridden, yet intriguing genre." --Midwest Book Review "An absorbing, compelling look at America's future. Visionary, scary. Great battle scenes, believable heroes, plus villains you'll love to hate!" --Joe Buff, author Tidal Rip.

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