Clark Griswold

The War ZoneFour U-2S Spy Planes Would Be Restored In Bill That Would...Congress is also moving to again block the Air Force from retiring the entire U-2 fleet amid continued questions about capability gaps.

Boeing pulls out, sts The War ZoneBoeing Drops Out Of Navy's T-45 Jet Trainer Replacement C...The field of competitors to design and build the Navy's next jet trainer has narrowed to just two teams, and both are putting forward twin-engine designs.

Bump The War ZoneBoeing "Encouraged" By C-17 Production Restart DiscussionsCongress recently asked the USAF for a briefing on the feasibility of buying new C-17s amid major strain on the existing fleet.

Yup https://theaviationist.com/2026/01/21/poland-to-arm-fa-50pl-aim-9x/ Brits also did with their Red Arrow Hawks to give them an operational mission if called upon T-birds can also be made ready for combat ops in 72 hours per their webpage, I’m sure there is an asterisk by that statement but some pew pew could be had On to the idea of acquiring more lighter iron (-50s in this case), the operational case is like the Poles, Gap Filler fighter and Defensive Fighter. Bought in sufficient numbers to give mass and coverage for homeland defense, second line defenses for contingency/combat ops, theaters with limited threats, etc… A fleet of 150-200 is not unreasonable if we believe the late 20s and 30s are going to be as risky as we say they will be.

@ClearedHot Do you think the letter released above was a wag the dog tactic in reference to the Belfast attack and proximity to the Henry Nowak murder? It’s interesting reading the letter, the British establishment is still in denial about where they are now and the direction of travel of their country. It’s not good, ours is better than theirs still challenging with our own problems ahead but different. It’s important for them to be a credible and capable NATO partner but power and power in excess to be able to project it for whatever reason comes from security, stability and prosperity at home. Personally, I think they should take the prediction and analysis of Prof David Betz very seriously. https://www.militarystrategymagazine.com/article/civil-war-comes-to-the-west-part-ii-strategic-realities/

Not downplaying the threat of Russia but methinks they have other more pressing threats than a Russia tied up in Ukraine

True

Bump https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-fighters-legal-minimum-wake-up-call-pfluger/ We need more iron pronto, Poland figured out an interim solution, why not just cut n paste, operate until larger more capable iron is delivered then roll the gap fillers to other missions? Training, demo, chase, aggressor, homeland defense, etc… Hedges against tech risk with T-7, allows faster divestment of oldest teen series jets, significant but affordable buy allows presence and support missions for burden shifting, etc…

Probably so (as to the desire for more hardware except of the most exquisite types). Yeah, the digital tether is still gonna be there but… I would like to see at least research into an AI assisted, organic PED light capability, dedicated to small independent maneuver units, thinking remote austere missions in Africa and small isolated islands in INDOPACOM theater. Just a thought. The Wolfhound replacement is gonna be interesting, 20 aircraft, the tyranny of small fleets.

Cool, my knowledge/ops experience is probably a bit dated and my A-1K is all open sourced so that’s worth what you pay for it. I do know what you mean about manpower for PED from my previous work, the volume of data, looking for the diamond in the rough, enough said. My main advocacy for basically a NG Manned ISR platform acquired by AFSOC that has a bit more capacity (SWAPC plus PAX) is for the ANG mission, ANG units flying said new aircraft. MOOTW, Grey Zone, Consequence Management, etc. could all be met by a right size, right capes platform that also answers a T10 requirement. Probably in a right sized regional or light airlift turboprop.

Don’t know Bronder so I’ll just say your point is made. Other missions I see as those missions where more organic, on board cranium power is desirable. Agnostic stations on said platform, in an open system with operators doing the PED, C2, etc… there and directly supporting the customer while also feeding / interacting with the network of other users. Probably CASA 235, ATR 42 or bigger (maybe) but not C-130 size.

That will not buff out

It’s not my supposition, it’s Bronder’s words. I’m not opposed to the A-1K nor it being expanded to missions other than Armed Overwatch, I’m just saying that for some of those other missions another platform would be better & worth the effort. If the resources aren’t there make do with what you have then.

True but from the article “Just a reminder that OA-1K is not a replacement for U-28,” Col. Bronder also said again at this year’s SOF Week conference. “Certainly, it can do some ISR functions, but again, [it] meets a close air support strike requirement.” It’s the dedicated, allocated to that mission/role I’m commenting on. There still is IMO a requirement for a manned, medium persistence, multi effects, platform. Maybe not the appetite for it or prioritization for it, but it’s there.

Manned ISR at AFSOC looking at divestment with no direct replacement https://www.twz.com/air/any-plans-for-direct-u-28-draco-special-ops-surveillance-plane-replacement-abandoned Replace it with OA-1K and Scorpion, low end and high(er) end fights respectively.