Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

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!?! and a BIG , well done!

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

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"...

[DRG]

..... 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

[Warwick]

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

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

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

[DRG]

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.

[Suhiir]

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.

[DRG]

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

[Suhiir]

FASTBOAT

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

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

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!?!

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

Regards,
Pat