BlackJetDriver

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/07/usaf-officially-launches-light.html#comments USAF officially launches light attack fighter comeback By Stephen Trimble on July 31, 2009 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0) LAA_Capability_Request_for_Informatio ... ScribdApture™ The US Air Force has issued a request for information to identify sources that can supply 100 new fighters to perform light attack and armed reconnaissance roles. Air Combat Command released a request for information on July 27 that calls for first aircraft deliveries to start in Fiscal 2012 and the first operational squadron to activate a year later. The requirements call for a two-seat turboprop capable of flying up to 30,000ft and equipped with zero-altitude/zero-airspeed ejection seats, full motion video camera, data link, infrared suppressor, radar warning receiver and armored cockpit. Weapons must include a gun, two 500-lb bombs, 2.75-inch rockets and rail-launched munitions. The known for competitors for the requirement include the Air Tractor AT-802U, Embraer Super Tucano, Hawker Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II and Pilatus PC-9. Michel Merluzeau, managing partner at G2 Global Solutions, wrote earlier this week new demand for counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft could revive interest in the Piper PA-48 Enforcer (pictured above). The PA-48 is an updated version of the World War II-era North American P-51 Mustang, which the USAF evaluated in the early 1970s for a possible COIN role. One potential issue is the PA-48 would not meet the USAF's requirement for a two-seat fighter. Apture™ The light attack/armed reconnaissance fleet, if finally approved, would join a growing COIN air force within an air force. The USAF has already purchased 37 Hawker Beechcraft MC-12Ws to serve as manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, filling a role previously served almost exclusively by unmanned aircraft systems. The USAF also released another RFI earlier this week for as many as 60 light mobility aircraft (LiMA) to airlift up to six passengers or small loads of cargo from austere or unimproved surfaces.

??? I think Bluto and I are very qualified (Form 8s) to speak knowledgeable about the jet. That being said, nothing else needs to be said. The jet flies fine, rain or not. BJD

Scuba is still good out here. The golfing scene is awesome on par with some of the best courses stateside. Scuba gets a little old after four months on the island if you can believe that. The Tiger boat still goes out every once in a while. The skeet range here on base is a hit this year. Not the same without you out here. Good Luck at PIT, BJD

Some guys have stayed here for up to 12 years, it depends on your career goals. The standard for the most part is about 4-6 years depending on your year group and IDE school situation. BJD

Oh, how I remember the hollowed mormon "fights"... Reminds me of my sheltered childhood home... Grew up in UT. I'd live in Boise, ID or Sun Valley area. If you don't like Kanab, Moab or St. George... I recommend Cedar City. Elk Meadows/Brianhead snow sucks and the season is too short. If you want good snow go up north, SLC area or even up to Sun Valley or Jackson Hole. I love the northern part of the state. On second thought... I recommend you live somewhere else like Arizona or California like everyone else. ;) BJD

Although this may sound harsh, very few could disagree with Pros - Few and far between (Crew concept, you are a bomb dropping platform, lots o weapons to play with, they have their own traveling band, 47th section, patch cord music, for the most part many relaxed crewdogs, jamming platform from hell, chicks dig the BUFF, okay maybe not..... okay definately not) Cons - Many (Long durations, old stinky jet, NORIs, CORIs, NSIs, SAC dinosaurs, Vault rats, Cold ass winters (Minot), hot ass summers (Barksdale), Drag chutes, Tip gear, Engines that leak continuously, Radios that are nearly inop in any type of weather, manual fuel balancing, no more low level, ejection seats that may not work "Right, Lock, Left, Find a hole and go... WTF?" and finally a radar cross section the size of a small city on coastal shore with heavy land/water contrast Deployment - OK, usually one four month "TDY" to somewhere other than the sandbox, every 20 months, not bad given the locations PCS's - Barksdale / Minot It's a toss up... Take your pick, both have good and bad. Single? Go to Barksdale. Married? Minot may not be bad. Lifestyle - Oh I don't know, Normal CAF squadron 30 officers in a squadron, BUFF squadron try ~100 officers. There is free time if you are looking for it EW is a bastard? - Sorry fact of life, learn to love loading mode 4, carrying all the crypto, listening to beeps and squeaks, accept being ignored in the target area, learning to cry when you run out of 900 bundles of chaff and most of all learn to ignore the copilot bitching about how much he doesn't get to fly while he is sitting at guns. Sorry, just the truth my $.02 Good luck BJD

Having gone through the mystical security clearance quagmire on various levels, I second Hydro's post. Some upper level clearances (TS/SCI and above) require more paperwork and time to clear depending on your past history, types of people in your life, etc (could be close to 2 years if you have issues). Bottom line: Stay on top of it. (sts) BJD

Beaver, G-LOC? 2's blind, again... I'm lost... 2 you're cleared off? This isn't how I remember you from UPT 7 years ago? God's gift to aviation is how I remember it.. Say it isn't so... BJD

The bunk is still not available, we sleep in the seat or behind the seats. Whiteman life isn't too bad. Still have to do the long duration sim and occasional long duration sortie. Anytime you can takeoff, drop a full load (sts) on someone and return home that same day and mow your lawn, sleep in your bed and play with the kids is a good thing. I'll take the long sorties over deploying for 6-10 months at a time. AEF rotation for us is in effect, so if you think coming to Whiteman will get you out of deploying, think again. Shook hands with Gunny when they filmed, nice enough guy. BJD

The 13th BS "Grim Reapers" from Dyess is closing and is moving to Whiteman to replace the 325th BS Cavemen. The Grim Reapers squadron car is a painted used hearse. We are looking to drive down and bring it up to Whiteman via Uhaul. BJD

Went through pilot training with this guy. Nice enough guy. Maybe trying to lean forward a little too much and got himself over extended by trying to "help" out his flight. IMO: CYA and heed Heuy's advice... And remember, BJD Rule #69 The next step after leaning forward is bending over. BJD

Bombers are okay if that is what you are looking for. Definately a different lifestyle than the pointie nose world. Not bad, just different.. BJD

B-2 has no rudder (go figure). The jet uses differential spoilers, elevons and the "beaver tail" to maintain lateral control. Feet flat on the floor almost 100% of the time. HAL takes care of it all.

"Skunkworks" - By:Ben R. Rich and Leo Janos... The Infancy of Low Observable Technology An interesting book on a the beginning of stealth in the late 70's early 80's.

B-52 world is different. Larger crews = More officers per squadron = less qweepish $hit to do individually when not flying. People that have ligit jobs in the squadron (i.e. scheduling, training, stan eval) often put in standard 10 hour days. If you are a slug in the squadron then you maybe work 6-8 hour days, downside... the leadership will recognize this and ship you out for a non vol ALO/UAV tour and their earilest convienence. Mission planning takes up one whole 10-12 hour day. Then flying take 12-16 day pending mission length and debrief times. B-2 world? well you can probably imagine, less officers = more qweepy $hit to do besides flying = 10-12 hour days.