Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[IronDuke99]

Originally Posted by shahadi

Yes, I too recall a report the HMS QE class carriers won't be F-35B suitable until sometime beyond 2020. Something to do with a retrofit of her decks. Until then, she will carry helos.

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Nope, I believe her decks are already coated with the stuff to take the heat from the F-35B engines, etc. It is just that the aircraft are not really ready for ops and UK does not have many yet (a fairly sensible choice, given that current F-35's are nothing like fully up to specs, etc, and buying more now just means they will need expensive upgrading down the track).

As I said, QE will not be operational, with helos, or anything else, for some time. I have heard some talk of her being in 'limited operations' as of C.2019, but frankly, short of a big national emergency, she is not going to be operational until about 2021.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I'm posting this NOT to start any debate here because let's face it, the governments and associated military authorities have already made their decisions concerning what plane "we're" using.

So with that in mind, I'm tracking this program and I was surprised about the performance capability ALREADY TESTED for the U.S. entry being considered. You might find the next interesting for that reason alone.
http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2017/...earch-for.html

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

Latest war games using the F-35 (Red Flag).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgLjNsB_hyM

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

"...I'm tracking this program and I was surprised about the performance capability ALREADY TESTED for the U.S. entry being considered. You might find the next interesting for that reason alone."
http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2017/...earch-for.html

Regards,
Pat

Yeah, I saw that article as well (read it too, lol). The comments were most interesting.

I have to remind myself, planes in the game are mostly eye candy. What they deliver per their costs is pretty steep. I'd rather buy a UAV for recon/surveillance, and spend my money on a detachment of attack helos.

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[DRG]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-a7687031.html

[WilliamB]

This comes from the September issue of Combat Aircraft magazine. The Austrian Ministry of Defense has announced plans to withdraw the Austrian Air Forces 15 Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons from service from 2020. The ministry says the reason is that the jets "provide limited equipment and significant cost uncertainty". Hope this is the correct place to post this.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

It's as good as any place for that post. I have the following from early June with their being more to it just Tranche 1 EUROFIGHTER, it will also require the SAAB 105OE's and possibly their Pilatus PC-7 trainers replaced as well. As you can see the "numbers" are a big concern as all these decisions are.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...m-2020-439130/

This what I see happening as of right now...

1)Tranche 1 EUROFIGHTER: A possible deal gets worked in some combination or alone with EUROFIGHTER to reduce the cost of maintenance and or upgrade the fighter to a higher standard.

2) SAAB 105OE: Definitely will replace these they've been reliable jets for them that they've had for a longtime now.

3) Pilatus PC-7: I see them keeping these trainers with an upgrade package which are available.

Conclusions:

1a) I'm not sure that EUROFIGHTER will be able to currently pull off the deal as noted in A) above.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ef2000/
http://www.military-today.com/aircra...er_typhoon.htm

So...
2a.) I see a fighter competition coming down to the following...
RAFAEL the one they wish they could have but might not be able to afford basically.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/rafale/
http://www.military-today.com/aircra...ult_rafale.htm

F-16V or next mark down, however, if they want a shot at competing with the Russian stealth fighters, they need to get the "V" series.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/p...-role-fighter/
http://www.military-today.com/aircraft/f16v_viper.htm

GRIPEN C/D 4th Gen+ or the new GRIPEN NG 4th Gen ++, either of these would be a cheaper option in leasing which several countries are doing and just in outright purchasing them as some have done as well. There are currently maybe only 2 or 3 jets that can be considered 4th Gen something. I believe the GRIPEN will be the winner as these fighters meet all their current considerations.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/gripen/
http://www.military-today.com/aircra..._39_gripen.htm

Regards,
Pat

[redcoat2]

The U.S. has delivered two (of six) A29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft to Lebanon.

http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-le...the-us-2017-10?

The pilots have already been training in the U.S.

http://www.janes.com/article/69076/lebanese-super-tucano-pilots-begin-training

[Pibwl]

If I may:

Afghanistan OOB:

547 EMB-314 - an official designation is A-29 as well (I suggest: A29 SuperTucano). They first arrived in 1/16 (now: 4/15) https://www.militarytimes.com/2015/1...tack-aircraft/ - needs a formation 089 change as well

Icon in fact should be grey (2894 could do, or 2844 Mustang)

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The above would be correct and from my files...
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2...planes-in.html
http://www.airforce-technology.com/n...rom-us-4786738
http://www.janes.com/article/68843/a...ighting-season
http://armydotmil.com/afghan-air-for...tack-aircraft/

Both names are correct. A-29 Super T... would make it easier to find the plane should there be any offensive or defensive capability changes down the road across all country users.

OV-10 BRONCO G+ not dead!?! And it ain't your
Dad's" OV-10 BRONCO from Vietnam ethier...
https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/...-capabilities/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politi...sis/index.html
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/ov...d-a-1764407068
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-N...Bronco/2651703
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proce...12-cleared-hot

Regards,
Pat