Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[redcoat2]

The U.S. has delivered two (of six) A29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft to Lebanon.

http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-le...the-us-2017-10?

The pilots have already been training in the U.S.

http://www.janes.com/article/69076/lebanese-super-tucano-pilots-begin-training

[Pibwl]

If I may:

Afghanistan OOB:

547 EMB-314 - an official designation is A-29 as well (I suggest: A29 SuperTucano). They first arrived in 1/16 (now: 4/15) https://www.militarytimes.com/2015/1...tack-aircraft/ - needs a formation 089 change as well

Icon in fact should be grey (2894 could do, or 2844 Mustang)

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The above would be correct and from my files...
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2...planes-in.html
http://www.airforce-technology.com/n...rom-us-4786738
http://www.janes.com/article/68843/a...ighting-season
http://armydotmil.com/afghan-air-for...tack-aircraft/

Both names are correct. A-29 Super T... would make it easier to find the plane should there be any offensive or defensive capability changes down the road across all country users.

OV-10 BRONCO G+ not dead!?! And it ain't your
Dad's" OV-10 BRONCO from Vietnam ethier...
https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/...-capabilities/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politi...sis/index.html
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/ov...d-a-1764407068
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-N...Bronco/2651703
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proce...12-cleared-hot

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

OV-10 BRONCO G+ not dead!?! And it ain't your
Dad's" OV-10 BRONCO from Vietnam ethier...
https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/...-capabilities/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politi...sis/index.html
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/ov...d-a-1764407068
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-N...Bronco/2651703
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proce...12-cleared-hot

Regards,
Pat

...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

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by DRG

...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

I do occasionally stumble across something before you do swabbie.

[Pibwl]

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155 Aero L-29 - withdrawn by 2003

160, 161 MiG-21 - withdrawn in 2003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.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

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