Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

...which is why it was added to USMC unit 621 last year as the OV-10D Bronco but has now been extended to 2025 as the OV-10G+ Bronco

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I do occasionally stumble across something before you do swabbie.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

News and updates as for Slovakia (OOB51)

Withdrawal dates according to https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vzdu%C...skej_republiky

155 Aero L-29 - withdrawn by 2003

160, 161 MiG-21 - withdrawn in 2003

180-182, 331, 335 JAS39 Gripen - not used as for now, and probably won't be :(

170 Su-22M4 - withdrawn in 2002

There is much more armament variants in Czechoslovak OOB, including ones with missiles - probably they remained in use.

173, 337, 904 -Su-25K - withdrawn in 2002

Transport aircraft:

234 Antonov-12BP - withdrawn in 1999

235 Antonov-24 - withdrawn in 2006

236 Antonov-26 - withdrawn in 2016 (might be retained until arrival of C-27)

From 10/17 there is C-27J Spartan used (one, as for now)

All the time there were lighter Let-410 Turbolet used (12 paratroops)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet

If you'd like to add it, icon 2780 of Twin Otter should do.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I've been watching the following develop for awhile now concerning the F-35, so it's time to "throw it" out here...
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art...e/186991/.html
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art...0-billion.html

From ref. 3 I'll simply quote from from the end of each of the fighters general information block...

F-35A - This is still looking like it'll be 2019 however... "The F-35A was the first variant to fly, in 2009. Unfortunately, it looks like it won’t reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC) until 2017 or 2018."

Well you can definitely cross off 2017.

F-35B - "Planes with full Block 3 initial combat capability are unlikely to be fielded before 2018."

Well we know the answer to that now don't we!?!

F-35C - "Initial Operational Capability was scheduled for 2014, but looks set to slip to 2019."

Finally it has. There's so much commonality in the systems between the types, it'll be hard to imagine any of these jets being ready much before Jun 2019 (That for the sake of argument.).

Too much is left to be done, weapons certs, op evals, software issues, logistics (Has reared it's head many times over the years to include a key software issue.) etc. etc. And we still haven't had the competition between the A-10/F-15SE/F/A-18E/F and F-16V (Which should've been retired by now or close to.) along with the latest previous Block were developed out of necessity due to the various delays of the F-35 Program.

That's the one item I'm trying to really keep an eye on. Can you imagine the delay if the F-35 during the CAP eval against those planes turns in a sub par performance? Or even , just that, performs equally as well as them?

It'll cause a political firestorm.

Save yourself the aggravation make them all simply JUN 2019.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...m-edit-037947/

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS ARTICLE WHILE IT'S FULLY UNLOCKED FOR THE TIME BEING!!!!

Also of interest and somewhat in support of the above...
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...-on-sh-443005/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...-fleet-443070/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...d-ndaa-443026/

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Israelis just declared IOC for the first squadron of their F-35, which is currently at 9 aircraft operational.

Meanwhile, Canada cancelled it's F-18E/F Super Hornet Purchase which in turn was intended to replace a cancelled F-35 buy. Prospective replacement is Australia's old F-18s which would be remanufactured in Canada to extend their service lives.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

OOB now corrected to 12/117

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

There might be a little something here for everyone from the F-35, CAS since WWII and an article I found of particular interesting concerning Hypersonic Vehicles. This is a NATO publication.
https://www.japcc.org/wp-content/upl...J24_screen.pdf

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

..and now Denmark has F-35's in 2022..

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

While the USAF is still working on the common logistics software issue that'll affect all three versions of the F-35, the USN has taken another step closer to bringing the F-35C to Initial Operational Capability (IOC) per the below ref.
http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm...sStory&id=6694

Weapons testing is also still ongoing along with several others and the CAS test against the A-10 and F-15SE well, let's just say has been delayed until Spring of 2018. Of course along with everyone else, I'm awaiting the results of that.

Now we wait until they reach Full Operational Capability (FOC) there's a reason I started using these terms because generally speaking those are the terms and associated definitions of them that many of the world's militaries use. And really my "old" term "Fielded" actually fitted better than I thought after looking into what the above terms actually meant in military terms. For those in a "hurry" I offer the following ref. again from NAVAIR it fits this perfectly as FOC is just the final step to Fielded in a weapons system etc. This of course doesn't apply to Don or the others who track these things for some cases over many years.

IOC does allow us some latitude (Unless we have other information such as the Russians hoping to have the T-14 ARMATA
Operational/Fielded from the many statements they've made to date but, even that could be wishful thinking.) to establish a start date for the game recognizing the dates can and usually will shift (ARJUN Mk I/Mk II which will need to be changed again by the way.). But there's always the chance it could happen sooner or as put in if the program is moving along smoothly. My example covers the USN's JSOW C-1 and fully discusses the process and as you'll see, reaching the Fielded stage can still take, in this case, a year and a half after FOC (Para.2 of the ref.).
http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm...sStory&id=6658

Also note the RAAF will be getting this weapon as well.

A final observation for my MARINE friend (It's a rare early non sarcastic compliment sort of - so here's your early Merry Christmas! :p (I did say sort of!)) and others that the F-35B was the one predicted too have the most issues but ended up being the first to IOC and I feel confident the first to FOC+.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I'd guess a lot of that has to do with the way Jarheads do business. They're more use to looking for their own solutions then waiting for someone else to come up with one.

And Happy Holidays to you and the Boss (and any rugrats) Sailor.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Indian Air Force retires MiG-27 ML Bahadur, 12/2017.

obat 18. Unit 284.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indi...ahadur-1793734

https://www.oneindia.com/india/iaf-b...s-2611156.html

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

China is claiming the J-20 is now in operational service, FWIW.

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplo...es-combat-duty

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Oh dear, and now looks like Su-57 (aka T-50) is doing an early combat test in Syria:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...otted-in-syria

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I suspect they primarily want a "field test" vs NATO (and particularly US) aircraft and radars.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Just that see where they are at, Russia claim to have used 127 new weapon systems in the recent conflicts. Many due for slight tweaks & refinements based on battlefield use that testing did not highlight. No more is it just use the cheap stuff they try it all & look at refining the tactics to use them.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I just knew it would happen and so before!!! I can finally get that improved A-10 I had to "keep in the can" and get it released. A-10's until 2025!! :D
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...program-03187/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...0-upgr-445784/

It'll get done. For the USAF to have a draft to finish the last 100 A-10 aircraft that are due for re-winging this late guarantee's the survival of the A-10 beyond the mid-2020's.

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

They are already in the game until 2025 so nothing changes

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

The English language, Times of Israel (timesofisrael.com) is reporting the deployment of the stealth jets as a veiled warning to Israel, "The deployment came with a covert warning to Israel by a Russian official, who said that the presence of the Su-57s will doubtlessly send a political message, serving as a deterrent “for aircraft from neighboring states, which periodically fly into Syrian airspace uninvited.”

Russia Today (RT.com) reports the deployment of the fighters to test radars and electronic warfare capabilities, "The trial will initially focus on electronic warfare and radar capabilities of the 5th-generation fighter jet, rather than its weapon systems," as other posters have noted.

Although the decision to trial the jets in Syria were reached after the MAKS 2017 airshow in July, the deployment, "...to Syria [comes] less than two weeks after US forces attacked (defended US allied forces) and devasted a group of pro-government forces, which included some Russian citizens.

Additionally, Russia has deployed four advanced Su-35s and an A-50U AWACS aircraft.

These reports and others could serve as excellent context for Syrian/Israeli/Russian/Iranian scenarios.

<br>

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

It's been reported those Russian planes especially the Su-35 which is Russia's most advanced fighter are in Syria for one main reason, the F-22. They are going and been trying to get the F-22 exposed as much as possible for ELINT electronics signals(Intelligence derived from electromagnetic radiations from foreign sources (other than radioactive sources)) and SIGINT signals intelligence (intelligence information gathered from communications intelligence or electronics intelligence or telemetry intelligence). This data to whatever extent they can collect it (If at all.) would be more than valuable in accessing the capabilities of their systems to include beyond aircraft, also ground tracking and FCS radars.

We are smart enough to know this and the F-22 fortunately doesn't need to be in the same airspace as the Russians, and they are hemmed in on the borders of Syria to some extent.

Saw a lot of this when we were in the MED during the summer of '87. They'd light up their radars and we'd do the same and I'm sure someone on both sides would be listening. While everyone played "chicken". :D

The Su-35S is and will be the backbone (Along with earlier mods.) of the Russian Air Force for many years to come. The Ministry of Defense has ordered more of those jets then it currently plans on for the PAK-FA/Su-57 which has lost some of it's "luster" and fallen out of the 5th GEN status due to cost savings to the program and other issues. India it's co-developer wasn't very happy about this citing I believe 17 or 20 changes that needed to be made to keep it in that status. Russia also self reported this themselves a couple of months back I believe. Anyway I posted that in here at the time I'm pretty sure. This fighter can at this moment be considered a 4th GEN +++ along with GRIPEN NG, and latest versions of the EUROFIGHTER and RAFALE. All those fighters are "Super Cruise" capable, more on that below. We know what's above them and everything else will trickle down from there starting with 4th GEN ++.

Game wise it probably will not be viable for the game. And there's plenty to support that.
http://www.businessinsider.com/russi...intment-2017-8
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the...-wont-be-23643

Su-35S...
This is their top fighter and is out there in numbers presently. Besides all the electronics onboard, this plane also has "thrust vectoring" which is a HUGE advantage in a fight and leaving one. Still trying to fully clarify (Looks like it does.) if it also processes "Super Cruise" (This is one of many factors that a true 5th GEN fighter MUST possess.) which basically means "after burner" speeds for a sustained period of time w/o the "burner" part, in other a much lower IR signature. Many outside of Russia, feel this fighter is probably overall, better than the F-35. Which is why we've been spending 100's of million dollars to upgrade the F-22 over the last several years.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/su-35/
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/su_35.htm

Well I'm going to relax the rest of this evening before as I intimated I start my "Balls-To-The-Walls" week.

Have a good week everyone!! :)

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Portuguese Air Force retires Alpha Jet fleet in January 2018
http://www.passarodeferro.com/2017/1...35-722017.html
Thanks

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

As always, people forget the F-35 was never designed or intended as an air superiority aircraft. That's why we have the F-22 ... pity they cut funding after so few were built.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Uuuhmmm....

JAPAN lacks F35!

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

:eek:...Shocking

The info I have is they have one ( 1 ) that is being tested not operational but if you have better info let us know.....same for South Korea.......and Austrailia.....and Turkey.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-j...-idUSKCN1G507W

https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/japa...ealth-fighter/

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...o-japan-01909/

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Now entered with a new Icon

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Rather nice documentary on Vietnam era gunships (Spooky, Spectre, Shadow).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhF8PuRsoN0

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Old news but it was not in game ( Syrian OOB) as precision Strike Element

https://defence-blog.com/news/syria-...aircrafts.html

https://www.arabianaerospace.aero/sy...2-bombers.html

https://combataircraft.keypublishing...ers-for-syria/

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

The only close to Full Operational Capability FOC is the USMC, which I'm almost on the verge of saying they're there. Because a piece of equipment has been used in the field does not mean it's been operationally accepted. Israel comes to mind, though I could be wrong (And I'm sure Amit/Gingertanker will correct me.), does this most of the time with there weapons based on the "environment" it finds itself in. No better proving ground exists except for Russia where they've already done the same in Syria as we did there with the then never proven F-22 and now with the F-35. My predictions for FOC is and this one is again is a "no brainer" USMC, USN (They've had less issues with theirs.). USAF (Starting to just overcome some of the major issues they've had over the last few years.), ISRAEL (Is apparently already adapting some of their own equipment into a couple of them for testing.) and the UK (Though they might Flip/Flop with ISRAEL, the hold up here as I see it might be the BRITEX economic issue.) and maybe JAPAN (They have a sense of urgency with CHINA, especially after President Xi ramped up the PLA last week to prepare for battle against, you got it, TAIWAN. More on that to come soon in the MBT Thread concerning TAIWAN and I can promise some people will be very disappointed by that post.)

The MARINES who would've thought!?! :p ;) and a BIG :D, well done!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Well, the Harrier is a bit long in the tooth for a front-line air support system, and the USMC DOES rely rather heavily on "airborne artillery"...

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

..... And both the Russians and Germans used biplanes for night harassment missions throughout WW2 becasue they got the job done...in January 1943 the commander-in-chief of Luftflotte asked for more Hs123 ( a bi-plane ) becasue they got the job done ( he didn't get them )...... the A-10 still files DESPITE many attempts to take it OOS going back to its earliest days because they get the job done...... OV-10 Bronco were brought back in service because they get the job done and as long as there are spare parts I have no doubt the Harrier will continue to get the job done

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Von Richtofen didn't get more Hs 123s because the jigs and tools were scrapped in 1940.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Exactly ..... but they continued to use them until they ran out of wreaks to scavenge parts from. The Hs 123 was kept in service because it was so extremely successful as close air support aircraft.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

The HARRIER will survive our deadline and beyond by a couple of years. The A-10 will likely make it to about 2030, by now they all should've been "re-winged" a project started about 3 or 4 years ago.

But after my last post in this thread, I check "my morning papers" and finally someone is confident enough to make a call on the F-35B meeting Full Operational Capability FOC standards, and no it's not the CORPS!! The next will give it away only because I cited this issue in the last post, BREXIT. Yesterdays vote was a disaster for the May government with a no confidence vote to be held later today on the current government.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887

These type of issues to this extent are never really a good thing for the military in general. But if this can be worked out by all parties under the current deadline of 29 March, just maybe, Britain by way of the RN will be the first country to declare their F-35s(B) fully operation in 2021-2023. I bet the CORPS & NAVAIR will get off their "butts" and finally declare it before the Brits to save face.

We'll see even the CORPS had admitted some time back they might've "pulled the trigger" a little soon in declaring Initial Operational Capability IOC when they did. This should be an interesting year for these planes. So FOC 2021-2023 for the RN here's your stories...
https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/tim...arrier-strike/
https://fightersweep.com/10815/uks-r...rder-of-f-35s/

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

As long as they can scavenge parts why not continue to use a system that works? I certainly wouldn't try using an OV-10 or an AC-130 vs the Russian air defense system, but against ISIS, why not.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

It's been like that from the dawn of time...if you have a rock and the other guy doesn't well then..... chances are you win.... if all you have is an OV-10 but the other guy only has limited small arms well then chances are you win no matter who the other guy is and if you have a slow putt-putt aircraft and the other guy is all ready for high speed jets with a high heat signature well then maybe the other guy is in for a surprise

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

FASTBOAT

Since you're looking into the A4 Skyhawk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLMM...dex=14&list=WL

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I'm not going to spend much time about the attached Ref. except as it stands it speaks volumes of it's own. It makes me wonder if the USAF didn't run those capability tests in secret between the A-10/F-15SE & F-35A. I'm sure they didn't, but some of you might remember from a couple of years ago, I posted many articles on the planned "competition" between those jets and I'm still waiting for it to happen. Also nothing more has been said about the A-10 except they're still being modernized. Judge for yourself, but to me, the writings on the wall.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...Shv?li=BBnb7Kz
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/
(This pretty much covers most of the above. The video at bottom was pretty good to in how the F-15FX will compliment the F-22. Also note the propulsion testing for all F-35's is running through DEC 2023 ahead of FOC per the contract just signed.)
https://www.airforce-technology.com/...ries-airforce/
(A "BIG" hit in the first article.)

Almost makes me think I own a crystal ball, just maybe, I do!?! :dk: :cool:

Have a good something! Back to the grind later today!?! :D

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

That "competition" you are speaking of already happened, but had controversial results. Most envolved complained that it was not composed properly and to the fullest extent it should have been and was biased towards the F-35. I read about that on Military.com. It was never intended to actually put them truly head to head but to satisfy officials. Kind of a "see, we tested them." thing. It was an unfortunate event. Just a FYI.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

In Poland are plans to replace last 16 operational Su-22 and probably ageing Mig-29. They are serious talks that as a 5th generation aircraft F-35 will be chosen.


https://theaviationist.com/2019/01/1...nd-su-22-jets/


Additionally in December 2017 Poland receive first eight advanced jet trainer's Italian M-346

https://translate.google.pl/translat...w-m-346-master

Photos of polish M-346 Bielik

https://www.airplane-pictures.net/ty...ked.php?p=6498

They were buy to replace ageing TS-11 Iskra after half of the century of service as a trainer and cheap second line strike aircraft
https://alchetron.com/PZL-TS-11-Iskra

In Warsaw Pact countries including Soviet Union there were standard trainer Czechoslovak Aero L-29 Delfin then L-39 Albatross. Poland was only country which not follow rules in that subject and build their own trainer aircraft for themselves. Except Poland also India buy TS-11 Iskra and they were retried earlier than in Poland in 2004.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...447281659).jpg

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

We've long known top USAF commanders have very little interest in anything that's not an air superiority fighter or long range bomber. Ground support exists primarily because they don't want the US Army having fixed wing aircraft. And let's not even get into their attempts to bring naval aviation under their control. Transport mostly because they need to move parts, tools, and bombs; moving troops and combat equipment is something they do if they're not doing something more important ... like moving a USAF generals golf clubs.

As a replacement for a medium bomber, i.e. the Tornado or Aardvark, the F-35 is a poor choice. It's also a poor replacement for an air superiority fighter, the F-15. It's a tactical ground support aircraft, and at that job it excels.

YES, I have a chip on my shoulder concerning the USAF. They keep telling everyone that will listen they'll bomb the opposition into submission, and it never, ever, works. That's not to say they don't fulfill a valuable role, but in most cases it's one they're forced to fill not one they want to (on an institutional level).

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I missed the competition? Those results don't surprise me that's why my post at the top of the page is relevant talking about the Harrier and A-10.

Poland honestly would be much better off buying the Gripen NG and keep pushing to join Germany and France in building the "EuroLeo". The 4th GEN +++ Gripen NG is just as capable as the borderline 5th GEN F-35, much cheaper to buy, operate and maintain and any road would do for a runway.

Poland needs quality and numbers in jets and tanks to hold back an aggressive resurgent Russia for deterrence and not a handful of Squadrons or less of F-35 fighters. Canada this goes for you to, you both need to get your GRIPEN!?! :p
https://www.airforce-technology.com/...n-fighter-jet/
(Para 2. makes my point.)
https://gripen4canada.blogspot.com/p...pable-and.html
(I can find more like this, a very easy reading comparison between the two. The GRIPEN NG is even faster then the F-35.)

USAF better barracks, tents with AC, prettier bases and supply airlines with pilots. Big Deal!!

On Saturdays we woke up with a drill and had a Field Day, Sliders (Cheese optional.) for lunch, Pizza for mid-rats and on Sundays Prime Rib or Steak and Shrimp all at hundreds of feet beneath the Ocean!! The USAF ain't got nothing on us!! Can't do that flying a Whoopi-d-do jet! :cool: :rolleyes: :D: :doh:

Anyway my USMC buddy is derrnnn right!?! ;)

Well that felt good!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

As this ended up on the top of the page, Post #483 of the previous page is what I was referring to.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Good point Pat unless you have a huge budget the F-35 has to be a bad option at $35000 an hour how much flight time do you think the pilots would get. Gripen is cheap to run for a fighter so they could buy more and still have cash to give each pilot more airtime.

Not entirely convinced on F-35 I have a horrible feeling it could be a lame duck within a few years of being operational.
Unlike F-22 it’s just not stealthy enough, I feel new radars may well make it not very stealthy at all, certainly not enough to outweigh the compromises to the airframe.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I'm pretty sure the thought is the F-35 is more survivable as a ground attack aircraft because of it's stealth tech. The Russian air defense network is nothing to sneeze at and an aircraft that (in theory) can survive it is well worth five that can't.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

There it is! Someone gets the big picture! Although the U.S. Navy's declaration that the F-35C is ready for combat with only a 12% readiness is concerning.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

It appears that the U.S. Air Force has put some of their F-117 stealth fighters back into service, although just what they are being used for is not clear. According to an article in the May issue of Combat Aircraft magazine, two F-117s were seen and photographed flying in the R-2508 range complex near Death Valley California on February 26th and 27th. There were two F-16s flying with them. The article also mentions an unconfirmed report from a Dutch magazine called "Scramble" that F-117s were used in Syria in 2017. I have attached a 7zip file containing some of the February photographs from the article. I hope this will prove to be of interest.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Haven't seen anything yet on the F-117, however, the following is what a true "Fighter-Bomber" really looks like. Besides I wonder how happy Japan is at the moment with the F-35 after one crashed in the Pacific. Unfortunately the pilot after calling to break off from a training exercise due to a problem was unable to control his aircraft and apparently couldn't eject. I don't believe they recovered his body.

Anyway...
https://www.boeing.com/defense/f-15/
https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...r-eagle-f-15x/
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...cial-says.html
https://news.yahoo.com/boeings-f-15e...180000315.html

These jets will provide/serve the Air Force as it's Hyper-Sonic Missile platform. With the upgrades to the airframe, addition of the AESA Radar not only will they be able to fight their way in, complete the mission and fight it's way back out, it'll do it a little more stealthy. The F-15 starting with the "SE" has graduated to a 4th GEN ++ platform.

I need to get back to some "peace and quiet" have a good week!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Changed the search a little on the F-117 also a note "SCRAMBLE" it is a very respected source concerning aircraft as well.
https://theaviationist.com/2019/02/2...-social-media/
https://theaviationist.com/2019/03/0...magazine-says/
https://sputniknews.com/military/201...st-syria-iraq/

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

This should act as a follow-up to my last post, from DID apparently there were 7 incidents prior to the fatal crash of Japans 13 F-35A fighters. One of the incidents did involve a U.S. built F-35A as well. It is also reported the jet involved in the crash also had an issue prior to it. Japan has grounded all their F-35A fighters UFN. It has been identified that 3 separate systems failures are involved with the 7 prior crash incidents.

This taken from this past Friday the 19th.

"Asia-Pacific
Japan’s first F-35A stealth fighter reportedly made seven emergency landings in the months prior to crashing in the Pacific Ocean last week. The Japanese Air Force started using its fleet of 13 F35As in January. On April 9, the first plane of Mitsubishi assembly crashed. Of the 13 planes provided by the United States to Japan, five have been forced to make emergency landings in seven incidents. The plane that crashed made two of the emergency landings. Final assembly of four of the error reporting planes, including the fighter that went missing, was carried out in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. The other aircraft was built and assembled in the US. The crashed fighter reportedly had issues with its cooling and navigation systems twice. Japan grounded its fleet of 13 F-35As in the wake of the crash."

The next ref. was linked from DID were in bold above.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles...0m/0na/006000c

Also note NAVAIR has not even declared FOC or for that matter IOC for these jets for either the USN F-35C or the USMC F-35B. The following two refs will show the "contrast" in how they list their jets starting with the F-35 entry.

Never mind, apparently the site is still down since I was on it just before the crash. As they say "Timing is everything." :rolleyes:

For those that do Happy Easter!!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I keep having flashbacks to the MV-22.
To expensive.
To dangerous.
To whatever ...

Or the AV-8.
No problems for years then they let nuggets fly them and crash, crash, crash.

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

Like Taiwan, I find that Argentina and the ongoing Falklands situation being somewhat related to the "window of opportunity" available to them and the benefit to each by making or getting if you will, that one piece of equipment that might make the difference in their current situation. For Taiwan that'll be the ABRAMS deal going through. It will cause a "pause" in China's "Sabra Rattling" when it knows it'll face even without D/U armor, a tank that'll still be a match or better to their best tank.

Argentina on the other hand, has a slightly "stronger hand" with an opportunity to reclaim the Falklands IF, they can just get the right fighter in the short term. But time is running out, at best they have 2 years before the window is shut maybe permanently. They have the "harder road" but the best opportunity to accomplish their long stated objective to recall the Falklands.

Britain's main two issues are that it has no long range bombers (Not that the VULCANS were very successful in their missions in the last Falklands War, they weren't.) or fighters (And in hindsight probably wish they'd kept a squadron of HARRIERS/or TORNADOS in active service in the Falklands. They even today would be much better then what Argentina has now.), sufficient air refueling, no carriers, surface combatants and are having issues with their fast attack submarines. In two years Britain will have it's carrier and F-35B fighters, however, only a fool would send in a carrier without it's support ships hence the term "Carrier Battlegroup", the window could possibly be closer to 5 years.

I'll be interesting what China and Russia decide to do. They might just decide to "two fingers in the eye" of two other countries and I wonder who they might be!?! :rolleyes: Ref. 2 is provided for context only as it is two years old now. Ref. 1 is current as of today, which is why I really like "DID", relevant stories continually kept up-to-date.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...planes-022821/
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/arg...s-e91f35fbd1ab

This could be an interesting situation worth checking on once in awhile. ;)

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.
 

I suspect the UKs new carrier, tho obviously damn useful if they need to take independent action, is intended more for fleet defense rather then attack (even an F-35B beats no air cover at all) and it's assumed if things go seriously south it'll be operating as part of a US Carrier Battlegroup.