Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

What we know is that with help the Ukrainians have modified their MiG-29's and Ground Attack aircraft to be able to use Western/Their Air to Air and Air to Ground weapons with the JDAM Kits.

And so, we have reports that early last month they successfully made an attack on targets using the JDAM with an effective range of at least 15+ miles which would give this a "standoff attack" capability.

But the rub is what we really gave them is the JDAM-ER (Extended Range VERSION.)
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...sian_army.html
https://www.armyrecognition.com/unit...tion_data.html

Regards,
Pat

[blazejos]

Article's with Mig-29 photos in Luftwaffe camo after Germany reunification
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/germany-ap...29-export-bid/
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/why_n...iles-6419.html


Aero L-39 in Ukrainian camo with their usage in post-soviet small wars described
https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/a...idea-6336.html

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

We've been training Ukrainian Pilots now for a handful of months and so have about 3 other NATO countries. Some have pledged F-16 jets but couldn't until now supply them.

Estimates based on current training would indicate this will take several months or longer to accomplish.

The U.S. could be a winner in this as we'll at some point I'm sure we'll find out how good the F-16 is in air-to-air combat.

Not a game issue but, you'd have to "live under a rock" to not understand the RL IMPLICATIONS.

It's already in the past decades proven it's a very capable ground attack system especially as weapons technology has improved.

So see if this sounds familiar from a certain show as modified "F-16s are a GO!!" well in about a year and probably slightly more.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...52239272&ei=22
(Article first appeared on CNN.) .

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

First to my last post concerning the F-16C/Ds for the Ukraine it'll be late Summer 2024 more likely the Fall of 2024 before we might see them operationally.

Pilot training alone is a year or slightly more in length. Had a USN F-18C/D engine mechanic who told me his school was about a yearlong as well (I can vouch for this based on my ASVAB score it qualified me for aircraft engine or EW/or Avionics training then in Millington TN. now at Pensacola FL.)

Concerning the next I would've thought the Eurofighter was already flying in the SEAD role, however, it isn't and won't be until 2030 or so.

For Germany the focus of this article means the very capable Panavia Tornado electronic combat and reconnaissance (ECR) jets will continue in that role. Reason for replacement airframe age averaging around 30 years currently.

UK faces the same issue and will modifying their TRANCHE 3 versions to be completed also by 2030 or so.

They were also using the ECR as well up to FEB 2019 and replaced by the TYPHOON in the SEAD role during the transition of the ECR retirement.

The weapon the UK carried was the ALARM retired in DEC. 2013.
https://weaponsystems.net/system/106-ALARM.

It was replaced by the STORM SHADOW for SEAD providing a "standoff" capability.
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence...LLER-061223-JM

NOTE: MILTARY-TODAY website is not available. I'm assuming due to the war in Ukraine where they were based out of. It is my hope they will come back online as they covered such a wide variety of weapons systems and platforms.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well, the game I'm watching is going into overtime.

So basic flight training has just completed.

Advanced flight training will probably begin later this month. This should be completed sometime between Aug. - Oct. of this year.

All this training included Logistical and Maintenace personnel and like the pilots, they are also entering the advanced part of their training.

The F-16 they are operating are of a more advanced type than I thought they would receive.

Specifically, I speak of the F-16 well now I can't as I "stepped on it" to get here. I can tell you from reading the article the Dutch are updating the ones the Ukraine will receive. There originally was thinking it would be the "VIPER" I believe and am sure that's changed as that's our most advanced version and the Dutch don't fly them.

That being said, it'll be more than capable in both the air and ground attack modes. One of the Dutch upgrades will include a new attack radar and subsystems.

I would fully expect it to have TI/GSR 40. It'll also be able to carry all the latest weapons air and ground the F-16 IS CURRENTLY CERTIFIED TO USE.
https://www.flyingmag.com/first-batc...raining-in-uk/

I will post the article when it next "pops up" on my screen for the specific type.

Regards,

And Happy New Year to all!

Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The Dutch fly the F-16AM (Fighter-bomber)/BM (Trainer) the Danish fighters will be brought up to the same spec if needed to maintain aircraft compatibility/parity of the type.

Time for me to "fly" have a good day!

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

I noticed that the MiG-31 was using the MiG-25 Icon

So I built a new-31 then got carried away........


Eventually I'll decide which ones I will use

[DRG]

For giggles I was going to build one with markings of the Kazakh Air Defense Forces as they are the only other nation that uses the -31

but reported Nov 17/2023

https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/k...fighter-mig31/

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Former Soviet Union member state, Kazakhstan, has put more than 100 fighter jets and bombers built during the Soviet era up for sale to interested parties.

The former Soviet-era fighter aircraft, along with their engines, being offered for sale by the Central Asian nation include MiG-31, MiG-27, MiG-29, and Su-24, which were built during the Cold War tensions of the 1970s and 1980s.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

According to the following it appears that the following are potential buyers for different reasons as reported in the last two paras. This little more in depth and reporting Kazakhstan canceled the first sale and has reduced the asking price in half. Supposedly the relaunch of the sale was to last Nov.

ICONs look great!
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/k...ombat-aircraft
https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/20...mig-31-mig-29/

This last will serve a "dual purpose" I'm sure the more astute will figure out why it's here and makes sense for that piece of equipment which has of late being reported it never really was even in Crimea.
https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/20...-ak-12-rifles/

It looks like you might get one free article a day.

Regards,
Pat

[MarkSheppard]

Spanish (033) OBAT

Unit 577: JSF

Spain keeps going hot/cold/hot/cold on actually acquiring the F-35B; so I'm not sure whether to keep Unit 577 in; given that any future F-35B buy will now only arrive after 2025/2026...