Clark Griswold
Supreme User
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From left field and to spur conversation, googled a bit and it might be 8 billion to restart the C-17 line and for how many jets? What if we bought A-400s instead with the Europeans purchasing an equivalent amount in American aerospace products? Not the same airlift capability but a very capable platform.
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Valid, that was one of the points that killed the sale of the F-20 to allies, if its is so good why aren’t you buying it?
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Yup This is the time and opportunity to bring innovation and advance Air Mobility.
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Possibly but only 20 KC-135s have MPRS but you have a point on the -46 and -30. I was thinking this and should’ve included it in my post but if the -16G / F-21 concept gets traction I’d advocate for a 4.5 fighter with a matched CCA as the operational capability. Said CCA being based on a real already flown air vehicle like a -25 or -47; organic tanker, arsenal, sensor & comm node, decoy if required, etc… to address the tyranny of distance and some of the tanker demands. Some question(s): Is this an ACE capable jet? Should we just use these resources to get a much more capable UCAS flying sooner rather than later? Is this the right jet to bring mass to the force? Is there another option that could be had at say 2x (or 3x if a light jet) to a -16G and bring coverage and enough capes? Do we need another fighter or another jet? Medium weight bomber perhaps…
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Good points, I’m leaning towards a new design and specifically the blended wing body Probably but if we have to do Kabuki theater to get to that so be it. It would eat up some fuel capacity in the CFTs but why not look at the F-21 concept we proposed to the Indians Keep the UARSSI and have the probe
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If they restart the -17 line, build the B model More cowbell (according to AI)… Shorter Landings: Designed to land on austere or rough airstrips of 2,000 feet or less (compared to the standard C-17A's requirement of about 3,500 feet). Center-Truck Gear: Featured an extra landing gear truck in the middle of the fuselage to better distribute weight on soft or damaged fields. Self-Deflating Tires: Included specialized tires to improve traction and performance on unpaved surfaces. Double-Slotted Flaps: Added advanced flaps to increase lift and control during steep, short-field approaches. Better Protection: Proposed with improved self-protection and defensive systems Unless Boeing could surge the EX line and the USAF could consolidate to one 4+ gen fighter type, then -16G seems reasonable, if the acquisition shenanigans could be avoided
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I would not call it bad but not recommended The closest thing in my AF career to CQ would be NVG assault strip work, you can simulate it to a decent level for pre live training but you should actually have to accomplish it to a demonstrated satisfactory level of accomplishment multiple times to be deemed qualified. I understand their recovery matrix would drive shore or barrier recovery if magic carpet and associated systems failed but there are always unforeseen circumstances and I would say for the preservation of strong pilot culture, you gotta keep it. I’m interested to see if this company (Hardpoint Dynamics) is real or another Stavatti. Who as of 17 July 26 is preparing to offer a jet ;-) ….
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Concur. From the article: McCoy also drew a firm line on culture. He does not want to outsource large parts of the training enterprise. Naval aviation is not a generic air force, and flying from ships imposes requirements a contracted model does not capture on its own. That’s leadership, they are using contractors for some of their training but the majority remains in house, for now we are too but I fear we will be mostly contractor eventually. I’ve thrown out a lot of ideas on this thread but opening a 4th regular UPT base (Sheppard is its own thing), primarily manned by the ARC and primarily for ARC bound graduates with their own syllabus and iron will alleviate the pressure. Give the state and wing that takes this mission confidence the rug won’t be pulled out from under them by making sending ARC bound students there as the normal paradigm. Steady business, steady program support from the Bobs. Keep it reasonable, PC-21 and KA-90 training aircraft, 150 hour syllabus.
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Where’s the RQ-170 assignment to?
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https://theaviationist.com/2026/09/01/japans-massive-us-2-amphibian-teams-up-with-usaf-cv-22b-during-rescue-flag-26-1/ We need some seaplanes
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Some good news https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-dangerous-us-mission-cleared-irans-mines-hormuz-shipping-lanes I would not recommend taking a cruise ship thru there but it seems like an improvement, not cheerleading for the war, special military operation, police action or however you wanna refer to it
