Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

This is the addendum to the last post. The ref is the SUN article concerning the shipping out of the UK HARRIERS and as noted earlier the GR.7 was RESET to the GR.9 standard. For as much as I hate to say it as we (The U.S.) benefited from the sale and given the recent UK events surrounding the F-35B (Dropped for the for the F-35C.) and the Billions of Pounds spent to RESET the GR.7 & GR.9 HARRIERS (We paid 110 million Pounds all 72 jets.), you have to wonder if there's not some second guessing going on there over the whole situation. Well you know what they say "Hindsight is 20/20" and again might apply here.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle4049164.ece

For the CORPS they'll keep them flying until 2025+. But airframes are spares as well so by definition so will the UK versions because of the RESET completed in 2010 which is newer to the last such upgrades done to the AV-8 (Though electronic upgrades are on going at this time I believe.) unless my "learnard" friend from the CORPS has other info.

Anyway as Gen. Sherman or his staff referring to him would say
"I'm in high feather." today as Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to work I go with a ...this is where you whistle...Hi Ho Hi Ho!! I really like those guys!?!

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

Here's more then any sane person would want to know.

All USMC AV-8's upgraded to AV-8B Harrier II+ by 2003.

Vertical takeoff
Operational range 90 nautical miles with 3,062 kg of ordnance

Short takeoff (366 m)
Operational range 163 nautical miles with 14,061 kg of ordnance, 1 hour loiter

APG-65 radar system
Tracor ALE-39 countermeasures dispensers (x4)
7 hardpoints (6 underwing, 1 centerline, 13,200# of ordnance)
AGM-65 Maverick
AGM-84 Harpoon
AIM-9 Sidewinder (max 4)
AIM-120 AMRAAM (max 4)
Conventional bombs (Mk 83, GBU-12, GBU-16, CBU-99/100, napalm)

Boeing Aircraft Data

AN/AAQ-28V LITENING targeting pod (FLIR, CCD camera, laser designator, automatic target tracker)
LITENING II (1999, third generation FLIR)
LITENING ER (2001, extended the target detection range)
LITENING AT (2003, further extends target detection range, improved targeting accuracy)
LITENING G4 (2008, new sensors, advanced target recognition, available in a kit form that allows upgrade of currently fielded pods)

November 2007
Upgrade wiring and software to employ MIL-STD-1760 bus-based smart weapons, such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions.

JDAM Upgrade

Not sure if this can (or should) be incorporated into WinSPMBT.

Intrepid Tiger II is the Corps’ homegrown jammer meant to disrupt IED radio detonators and intercept enemy communications. The Marines hope to put on UH-1 and AH-1 helos and are even testing a smaller version of the device on the RQ-7 Shadow UAV.

Marine Corps Times
Defense Tech

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Suhiir,
This is overdue, great info here especially on the LITENING Pods. The LITENING G4 was the advance needed to fully bring it up to par with SNIPER. Thanks again! If 2011 is any indication I'll starting on the 2012/2013 campaign sooner then planned. Time to "Troop Up" as pops used to say or code for you better get off your "as" before well you know!?!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
Another answer to your earlier ? in this thread on how long it takes to train pilots until they get fielded in their planes. If you remember I responded by using the RTAF and their GRIPENS at one year. The below from Iraq supports that when you include their prop training as well in Iraq, just a little follow up from a different part of the world. From DID full article immediately below.

Jan 20/12: Training begins. Gannett’s Military Times reports that:

“The first of the Iraqi pilots that will learn how to fly F-16s recently arrived in Tucson with the 162nd Fighter Wing, an Air National Guard unit that specializes in training foreign pilots to fly F-16s, said wing spokesman Maj. Gabe Johnson. The Iraqi pilot is slated to start the academic part of his training on Jan. 23 followed by hands-on flying from February through September, Johnson said"
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ighters-05057/

Early fallout from the US defence budget $500 Billion cutbacks:
1) The immediate effects for the USAF.
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...ns-cut-013012/

2) Australia to review it's F-35 but timetable as the F-35 gets pushed back again here.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nati...-1226257503229

Swiss and the F-5 TIGER II replacement.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ts-f-5s-04624/Pics:

Don you might or might not find the Swiss F-18C useful.

Swedens GRIPEN on the move.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ld-card-02401/
Pics:

Hungrian GRIPEN C/D. SAAF GRIPEN D.

Czech GRIPEN C/D.
Again these might be useful or not. But are easy on the eyes!?!

The GRIPEN D is the advanced two-seat air to ground attack version. See Post # Item . for further details on this fighter (C), fighter bomber (D)it has really come on in the last couple of years as the cheaper, stealthier but highly reliable alternative to the EUROFIGHTER and RAFALE.

All articles from DID.

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

AGM-88E AARGM

Initial Operational Capability: Nov 2010
Weight: 795 pounds (361 kg)
Speed: Mach 2+
Range: 60+ nm
Guidance System: Millimeter Wave (MMW) transceiver, advanced digital Anti-Radiation Homing (ARH), and a tightly coupled GPS/INS, is capable of selectively engaging air defense targets even after radar emissions are shut down.
Warhead: WAU-7/B (150 lb/68 kg)
Platforms: F-16 C/J, F/A-18C/D, FA-18E/F, EA-18G, Tornado IDS/ECR, F-35

Defense Industry Daily
NavAir
Deagel

[Suhiir]

GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)

Employed in combat: October 5, 2006
Used by: United States, Israel, Italy
Initial integration: F-15E, follow-on integration may occur with the F/A-22, F-35, UCAV, F-16, F-117, A-10, MQ-9, B-52, B-1, B-2 (the B-2 is set to carry between 64 and 216 SDBs on one mission)

Weight: 285 lbs (129 kg)
Fuse: Cockpit selectable functions, including air burst and delayed options
Warhead: 206 lbs (93 kg) blast fragmentation
The cited blast radius: 26 ft (cf 82 ft with 2,000-lb JDAM)
Standoff range: More than 60 nm/69 miles (111 km)

Most USAF aircraft will be able to carry (using the BRU-61/A rack) a pack of four SDBs in place of a single 2,000 pound (910 kg) bomb.

The SDB has the same penetration capabilities as a 2000lb BLU-109, but with only 50 pounds of explosive. The warhead that has demonstrated penetration of more than 6 feet of reinforced concrete. The INS/GPS guidance in conjunction with differential GPS (using all 12 channel receivers, instead of only 5) and improved Target Location Error (TLE) it can achieve a 5-8m CEP.
The munition, with a smart fuze, has been extensively tested against multi-layered targets by Wright Laboratory under the Hard Target Ordnance Program and Miniature Munitions Technology Program. The length to diameter ratio and nose shape are designed to optimize penetration for a 50lb charge. This weapon is also a potential payload for standoff carrier vehicles such as Tomahawk, JSOW, JASSM, Conventional ICBM, etc.

Most effective in urban close air support, battlefield interdiction, Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (DEAD) lethal suppression and counter-air strike airfield attack roles. Against soft skinned vehicles and structures, armour, point emplacements, runways, aircraft shelters and SAM/SPAAG systems this weapon will be highly lethal.
Less than effective is against deep/hardened bunkers, large infrastructure targets, large buildings, industrial plant, bridges, large trench systems, vehicle parks, infantry on the move and other area or large point targets. These remain the domain of larger specialized bunker busting weapons, or large explosive bombs such as the Mk.83/BLU-110 (1,000 lb), Mk.84/BLU-117/BLU-119 (2,000 lb), BLU-109/116/118 (2,000 lb), BLU-113/122 (5,000 lb).

The USAF is planning to acquire 12,000 fixed-target versions and a like number of the moving-target version. The USN/USMC is likely to wait for SDB II when the F-35 enters service.

Boeing
Global Security
Australia Air Power

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Just a couple of interesting stories for some. The first is simply a milestone story. The C-17 GLOBEMASTER like most programs started as being a controversial but ended up working out pretty well as a medium lift, short takeoff transport. Next year will mark the end of production of them. The programs turned out so well they ordered more then planned for which with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was an opportune decision in maintaining lower flight hours across the board.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...-Orders-05283/Pic:



C-17 GLOBEMASTERS heading in from sea and beyond flying past the new Cooper River Bridge connecting Charleston to Mt Pleasant S.C. to Chaleston AFB. Charleston is in the background left side.
I used sail under the old bridge that was in the shadow of the new one to get into Charleston harbor from the NAVBASE with all it's history with Ft. Sumter, CSA HUNLEY (Not found then and still under water.) and the Battery. And the night life...well that was a little before CINCLANTHOME's time...just chalk it up to the mid 80's and in the NAV!?!

Next up a couple of USAF generals think the F-22 and F-35 would make a good team in the tactical and strategic air enviroment of the future. YOU THINK!?!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/31638/

Finally the NAVY has concluded tests on a revamped missile, so coming soon from the sky somewhere to your living room if you've been bad, the 4 for 4 Laser Guided MAVERICK!!
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/31611/

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Posted in the APC & Green White paper threads. JSF is to be delayed under the new DOD Defence budget click on the PDF links withn the JSF para.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...preview-07285/

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Pat. this is frigging nonsense

BE CLEAR OR STOP POSTING. if you screwed up the info correct it don't send me on a wild goose chase back to "Pg. 3, Post #21, and Item A3".

AM I CLEAR ?

I AM NOT HAPPY.

What is wrong in the last post. I am NOT interested in playing guessing games.

Don

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
Only the first part dealing with the training issue was really meant for you in particular as indicated in the lead to your earlier question on aircraft training. The rest were general articles of interest for anyone interested. In the last para I forgot to enter the information as to where someone who wanted could find more information on the GRIPEN C and D without getting deeply involved with a web search as I had already provided this in dealing with the Thai GRIPEN last year for 5.5.

Regards,
Pat