Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Aeraaa here you go!

From my pesky files I'm just for the time being going to provide one source, concerning Greece procuring the Rafale F3-O4T most likely 6 brand new ones and 12 used ones. They will replace only the Mirage 2000 EG/BG.
https://theaviationist.com/2020/09/1...mbat-aircraft/

So bottom-line they'll keep the Mirage 2000-5F Mk2
https://theaviationist.com/2019/12/0...show-of-force/

Also not going away is the following and I think it's awesome...
https://www.milavia.net/specials/haf-117-combat-wing/

That's right, No S**T!!

We're just going to have to keep an eye on this deal, as there is also the possibility Greece might get the Rafale F3-R which reached IOC this past Summer which I'll build at some point as we have time before FOC for France at a minimum.
https://theaviationist.com/2019/12/1...nch-air-force/

Don the next is for you "more directly", be advised I'm building ONE of these for the game in if you will, a NATO version. There was a lot more to this plane then the "dumb bomb" Vietnam or "nuke" penetrator in Europe versions. The F-105 "THUD"...



F-22



I'm off to bed.

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

The current F-35 chart.
https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qim...385e758e38837e

The AGM-65 Maverick is not shown because it's being phased out. But it's replacement is not in the WinSPMBT OOBs so it's still used for game loadouts.

Also this chart is almost 3 years old and NAVAIR has certified weapons not on the chart for use on the F-35 since then.

[DRG]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

The AGM-65 Maverick is not shown because it's being phased out. But it's replacement is not in the WinSPMBT OOBs so it's still used for game loadouts.

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...issiles-05397/

Raytheon is restarting its production line to produce AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick missiles, and will also upgrade existing stocks, in response to demand from the front lines.

That's dated Aug 20, 2019 and the weapon in the USA OOB is 217 (which now matches the data of W194 in the USMC OOB )

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by DRG

I stand corrected ... as of the time the weapons load layout was published (2018) it was due to be phased out.
Things change.

[Karagin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HjA...ature=emb_logo

Seems SAAB wants to build the Gripen in Canada, now I am not sure if that means some of the production will go to the Canadians or not, but that is normally how these deals work out.

[DRG]

The Gripen would be nice but my guess is they will put this off and upgrade the Hornets we have or go with the Super Hornet. The one engine vs two issue has been and is an important consideration here no matter how reliable the one engine is....it's still only one engine.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

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.

What SAAB is offering Canada, is exactly what they offered Brazil-jobs, limited technical transfer of data and a production facility in Brazil to build their but, to also assist in production to other foreign powers that but or need their existing GRIPENs to be maintained.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...tion-in-brazil
https://www.key.aero/article/gripen-...-begins-brazil
https://www.saab.com/newsroom/storie...cone-to-brazil

Canada...
https://www.fliegerfaust.com/militar...644025181.html

About the plane...
Brazil flew it's first GRIPEN E/Designated F-39 GRIPEN E on 24 SEP. 2020. This plane was built by SAAB and shipped in from SWEDEN.
https://theaviationist.com/2020/09/2...ime-in-brazil/

Info...
https://airplanesdaily.com/saab-gripen-e-boxer-jet/
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/bu...ter-jet-140727

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

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

It's a huge issue but the jobs that might be created given the economic downturn due to the response to Covid *might* ( maybe..) tip the balance but personally.....I still think the argument against in the political and military back rooms will be the single-engine.

We have a LOT of "middle of nowhere" to theoretically patrol ( more than most nations' entire area ) and losing one engine when you have two gets you back to base but not when you only have one to start with. What one engine gets you is a search and rescue operation and a crash investigation ( ...in a remote area ) and that attitude is deeply ingrained

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by DRG

What one engine gets you is a search and rescue operation and a crash investigation ( ...in a remote area ) and that attitude is deeply ingrained

The same reason the US Navy and USMC are fond of two engine aircraft. REALLY hard to swim 500km back to your carrier.

However, modern jet engines are pretty reliable so that's not as big an issue as it use to be.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

John to your last, I would say it depends on the aircraft being flown due to the electronics onboard. One must remember "stealth" goes beyond just it's radar cross section. I'm going to it simple and use what I've read up to this point.

In an environment (Sweden) where I know the Russians are operating S-300/S-400 SAM Systems there's less than a handful of Jets in the world I would trust in potential combat environment as noted above, and the GRIPEN E/F is onE of them.

Two I'll knock out for all the "hoopla" that surrounded them and they are Chinas J-20 and Russia's T-50 (Used to be PAK-FA).

The J-20 it seems isn't as stealthy as first thought, and there are questions concerning it systems capabilities and reliability to include the powerplant.

If there was to be a foreign contender to the F-22 it would've been the PAK-FA/T-50 joint venture between India and Russia that I reported on extensively for years in here.

Basically with everything else Russia was trying to accomplish with their defensive needs, something had to give and it was the PAK-FA/T-50(And you might've heard about the T-14 as well!?!) they wanted to cut most of assets that would've truly have made this jet only the 2nd 5th GEN fighter in the world behind the F-22.

And NO the F-35 doesn't have true Super Cruise, because it has to go to "afterburner" first and it can only sustain "Super Cruise like" capability for around 150NM.
Super Cruise has been one of long standing 6-8 requirements to be met by a truly stealth jet. You might as well "Be on Broadway" with those bright LED (Neon just so not today.) lights.

So back to PAF-FA/T-50, India had warned Russia for more then a couple of years that if they didn't "reset" to the original concept of the joint venture (Stealth) they would withdraw from the the program. And so they did.

This next then should tell tell you a lot, India is now flying the latest version RAFALE and Russia with the T-50 is in "limbo" with it. An old saying comes to mind...Don't bite the hand that feeds you. India's hand healed quickly.

So I wish to leave with an article I would've rather have posted but just found today from a well industry respected source, talking about Canada, Sweden and Russia, GRIPEN E/F, Stealth and in the first para a remark about the F-35 and more.
https://skiesmag.com/features/saab-gripen-e-dark-horse/

USAF 4th GEN being around for a couple of more decades and how we're making them better...
https://www.airforcemag.com/article/...s-in-the-Game/

I've done enough damage for one day, take care!

Regards,
Pat