Wow. I am absolutely dumb founded! A parade for an airplane? Wow. Just plain wow.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Royal Navy and Air Force shortcomings are exposed....
British naval strategy is in piss poor state. In days long past, Nimrods would have been scrambled and fighters would be passing by port and starboard to annoy, and warn the Russians that they were under watch.
This response is simply pathetic. Also note that the aircraft carrier in question has more firepower (not including the air arm) than the destroyer that is supposedly escorting it.
This response is simply pathetic. Also note that the aircraft carrier in question has more firepower (not including the air arm) than the destroyer that is supposedly escorting it.
F-22...want to save it? Here's how!
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| Last F-22 off the assembly line..via Lockheed Martin |
But to those that do think that its worthwhile, I have a two birds with one stone solution...a solution that surprises because no one has mentioned it in a long time.
Why not build the FB-22 for the next gen bomber? That would get the airplane into USAF service rather quickly...would maintain aspects of F-22 production and with the distances involved in the Pacific could easily form the basis for the next generation fighter.
Boeing would howl but hey...who cares?
UPDATE:
This is the Wikipedia entry on the FB-22...
In 2002, Lockheed Martin began studying a modified bomber version of the F-22 Raptor fighter, featuring a delta wing, longer body and greater range and payload.[1] The FB-22 medium bomber is based on existing and planned capabilities of the F-22 fighter, a heritage that would limit development costs and risks should the idea go into production. The FB-22 was planned to serve as a regional bomber, a role previously covered by the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark.[2]I can tell you one thing. Extended development times is the killing our military.
The FB-22 differs from the original F-22 design significantly. A lengthened fuselage and larger delta wing provide greater fuel capacity for greater range of some 1,600 miles (2,600 km).[2] This also allows room for a larger internal weapons bay, better suiting long range attack missions and improved stealth.[3] Changing to an improved engine such as the F-35 Lightning II's Pratt & Whitney F135, or the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 is possible.[4] The FB-22 would have a maximum speed of Mach 1.92.[5]
One early FB-22 concept featured no tailplanes.[5] The FB-22 design incorporated twin tailplanes and likely would have fixed engine nozzles as opposed to the thrust vectoring nozzles on the F-22.[5] The FB-22 design could carry 30 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), which weigh just 250 pounds (110 kg), compared with the F-22's payload of eight.[1]
10 years and we have an aborted EFV? FCS was in development for a similar amount of time before it was taken down to the river and drowned. Same with Crusader...same with F-22...F-35...you get the point.
The only programs that are getting it done and out the door is the much maligned LCS, AH-1Z/UH-1Y (and the original design proposal for the AH-1Z first appeared in the 90's in the form of the Super Viper) and even the promising and much needed CH-53K is being delayed--even though they're ready to start churning them out....
To start from scratch for a next gen bomber when the proposed FB-22 fills the bill is beyond stupid. Setup the specs, get it done and get it into squadron service. That is if we really need it. And listening to all the airpower guys we really do.
UPDATE 1:
Paulicus found this study on the FB-22. Seems that at one time the USAF was beyond gung-ho about the idea. A light quick read so enjoy.
RS21848
The Russians just got 6 more of the most deadly planes in their arsenal...
Today, four serial Su-34 frontline bombers went up in the sky from the runway airport of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) and off to the place of their deployment at the air base in Voronezh. Two more aircraft will arrive there in the next few days. The aircraft delivery is carried out in the framework of the five-year state contract signed in 2008 to supply 32 Su-34 frontline bombers to the Russian Defense Ministry.Read the whole thing but from my view point (Navy and Marines) the deadliest airplane the Russians currently possess is the SU-34.
The SU-27 and its clones might get all the press but the SU-34 is the real heavy hitter of the bunch. Fast. Big. Massive payload. Crazy range.
If you're onboard an LHD, LPD or LSD sailing into harms way you better hope the guys on the destroyers are up to speed on anti-air...and whatever plane you're talking about...whether F-35 or F-18, you won't have the range to hit them before they can launch their missiles.
The SU-34. The most underrated airplane in the Russian arsenal. When the Chinese start buying these then you know they're serious about making a push in the Pacific.
Exercise Kilat Eagle
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| Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a CH-46E Sea Knight aboard USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to participate in Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions. Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck |
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| Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, walk to a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to participate in Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions. Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck |
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| Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to participate in Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions. Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck |
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| A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) departs USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to fly 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit personnel to Kuantan, Malaysia for Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck |
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
I am not a Sheep Dog.
via Vuurwapen Blog...
I wasn't carrying a gun to stop a school shooter and become some sort of hero. I was carrying a gun to preserve my own life. Just as I always carried a loaded Beretta 9 mm tucked inside my uniform when with Iraqi policemen inside their "station," I didn't trust that anyone else would be looking out for me first. It's not that I didn't think that the University of Arizona Police Department wouldn't do their very best to stop any potential shooting as soon as possible. I simply knew all too well how quickly such situations could play out, and how help nearby could be no help at all.Read the whole thing. It should open up many eyes to the dangers of stumbling into situation where you don't have all the information.
My carry philosophy has not changed much since that first day. My parents taught me to be responsible for myself. Scouting taught me to be prepared. Combat taught me to be aware.
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