Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

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.

Pat

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.

[luigim]

Uuuhmmm....

JAPAN lacks F35!

[DRG]

...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.

[luigim]

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

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

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

[DRG]

Now entered with a new Icon

[Suhiir]

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

[luigim]

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/

[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