Target Lock

Author’s Note

Dedicated followers of the Amanda Garrett series will likely note the change in designation for the USS Cunningham, from DDG (Destroyer Guided-Missile) to CLA (Cruiser Littoral Attack)-79. There were a couple of reasons for this.

For one, the Duke in her original destroyer incarnation had become hopelessly obsolete. Back in the early nineties, when I set out to write Choosers of the Slain, I was endeavoring to project what the U.S. Navy’s next major class of surface combatant would look and operate like. In a few ways I got fairly close. In many others I was totally off the mark, a frequent problem with prognosticators of the future.

By all indications, the actual DD-21-class stealth destroyers the U.S. Navy will soon be building will actually be far more advanced, sophisticated, and capable vessels than I ever dreamed of. I wish I could go back and start over.

This is a curse the technothriller author is living under currently. Possibly the greatest revolution in military affairs since the introduction of gunpowder is under way. Technologies and doctrine are changing almost on a daily basis, and the military author, like the military professional, is caught in a perpetual round of catch-up to stay on top of the game. Portions of this book had to be rewritten half a dozen times because seemingly solid assumptions were proven wrong.

The future looks to be an interesting and challenging place.

As for my second reason for changing the Duke’s DDG-79 designation: There is now a real DDG-79 in commission with the United States Navy, the Block II Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Oscar Austin.

I would not wish to claim any credit for the honors this fine new ship and crew will no doubt rapidly accumulate. May she always have fair seas and good hunting.