Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[Karagin]

Seems Britain is looking to replace their Tornados and such with the new Tempest.

https://www.businessinsider.com/brit...insider-mildef

[Imp]

The GRIPEN E/F would be a generational step up over the SUPER HORNET E/F in regards to stealth capabilities. It also would be cheaper to operate and to logistically to support and is considered one of the most overall reliable fighters in the world.

But as Don mentioned, there is that decades old issue of 1 versus 2 engines and the HORNET can carry a larger payload.

For most countries I think its the best option as they don't have the budget & its cheap to buy & operate. Means they might be able to fly them & maintain operational readiness.

Regarding extra stealth capabilities (excluding F-22) are they much use unless you are attacking or the enemy is low tech?
Stealthy from the front is not much use on a patrol because your presenting other facings.
My thought in this day & age every patrol is a data gathering exercise for the enemy eventually they will have a software update to track it once it turns head on as they will know what they are looking for.

[DRG]

They do make a compelling argument. What gets picked in the end will be a political decision and the coin is in mid air how that will go.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

John, because you you enjoy (As some others as well.) a good technical read once in awhile, I provide you with the the following abstract on the Chinese J-20. It was dated 04 July 2014. That's about 3 years after the J-20 Prototype made it's first appearance while then Defense Secretary Robert Gates was in Beijing China to "temp down" military tensions that were occurring at the time and are still continuing.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-c...70B11720110112
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/w...12fighter.html

We didn't appreciate the "message" at the time.

As I noted in my last, it wasn't all it was "touted" as being which is at best and taken from Ref. 2...
"Actually the new J-20 is an advanced fourth-generation fighter, rather than a true fifth-generation fighter. Still though it easily outclasses older fourth-generation fighters, such as the US F-16 or the Russian Su-27."

I agree with that to an extent, however, we're flying much more capable F-16's now and Taiwan would be able to hold their own against the J-20 as we're updating (Now) their current F-16 fleet to the F-16V standard. And for Russia they are beyond the Su-27 with the Su-30 (Improved 27.), Su-35 and MiG-31BM.

I had to ref. the glossary a couple of times myself this is "deep reading" so it won't be for most people.

But it also demonstrates why I like this "think tank" because of the depth of their research, I can very much appreciate that!
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-2011-03.html
Note it is titled "Preliminary Assessment"
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/j20.htm

The rest as noted from above and keeping it easy for me...
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/f16v_viper.htm
You have no idea how much an AESA capability truly means in a "stealthy" environment.
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/su_30.htm
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/su_35.htm
Highly capable aircraft.
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/mig_31bm.htm
One of the fastest in the world but, sacrifices some maneuverability as a cost to speed.

Enjoy the rest of your Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Happy Holidays if you prefer!!

Regards,
Pat

[Karagin]

Originally Posted by DRG

They do make a compelling argument. What gets picked in the end will be a political decision and the coin is in mid air how that will go.

Read an article that one of your MPs blasted the idea of buying older Aussie F18s. Compared it a certain submarine. I will post the article if you want it.

[DRG]

Originally Posted by Karagin

Read an article that one of your MPs blasted the idea of buying older Aussie F18s. Compared it a certain submarine. I will post the article if you want it.

Not necessary. I know about that

[Karagin]

https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...ially-retired/

Seems the F-18 has made its final flight with the US Navy/Marines as of the 25 of Feb 2021.

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by Karagin

https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...ially-retired/

Seems the F-18 has made its final flight with the US Navy/Marines as of the 25 of Feb 2021.

Doubtful.

Last I heard the US Navy planned to keep it's F/A-18Es and Fs for their Air Superiority role. Something the F-35 isn't terribly well suited for. Contrary to what many idiots claim the F-35 was never intended or designed as an air superiority platform.

The USMC does plan to get rid of it's F-18s as they expect the US Navy (and possibly USAF) to handle air superiority. Their aircraft are ground support assets.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

That is the plan. The USN has and will be receiving "new build" F/A-18E/F HORNETS for the air superiority role as my Marine "buddy" has pointed out.

As it currently stands, VMFA-533 Beaufort, S.C. is planned to be the first USMC air unit to reach FOC with their F-35B jets in the last quarter of FY 2025 (JUL-SEP 2025) providing there's no "hiccups" for any one.

And that's straight from the USMC.

So here's a recent "hiccup" for all three services...

"February 17/21: Engine Shortage F-35 fighter plane engines are in short supply external link, with the solution months away, causing the Defense Department to reduce its schedule of exhibition flights and to start planning for a shortage as soon as 2022. The Defense Department’s F-35 office has advised that about five to six percent of the US. F-35 fleet could be without useable engines by 2022, and up to 20 percent of the plane’s fleet could be sidelined by 2025. According to Defense News external link, the F-35 Heavy Maintenance Center, located at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, has been unable to process engines for repairs and maintenance, and catching up will take months."
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...m-edit-037947/

I couldn't make this up if I tried.

Regards,
Pat

[Karagin]

So do the dates change for the plane in the USMC OOB or not?