Clark Griswold

I can't say you don't have a point. The smaller the aircraft the greater the percentage by aircraft weight required for crew, the larger the aircraft the smaller as a percentage so optionally manned has a greater argument in LSR-B or similar aircraft in size/weight but there are capes that an optionally manned platform brings that don't displace the capes that RPAs bring but compliment them in a Tier II RPA / 25k GW aircraft range that make it worth while. - Easier access to airspace via conventional operation (manned) for missions in the vicinity of commercial or other players not comfy with RPAs. - No telecommunication downlink deconfliction or "landing" rights for links whether BLOS or LOS for the C2 link in host nations that may not want to share a portion of the EM spectrum. - In an airborne CSO you have the capability (not ideal) of not needing a link for PED, you have on board FMV exploitation. If you have limited or denied EM access for streaming your sensor feed b/c of operational restriction, jamming or concern of signal intercept by enemy or unfriendly actors (thinking Afghan ops on the Iranian / Pakistani borders, Russian forces in Syria, etc..), technically you could keep it in the jet and report only as required or prosecute independently and "silently" if necessary. - Everything is there in the jet technically and this could be very flexible for a last minute mission for a QRF or in an AOR where ops are few but when the need arises, need ISR support. Not saying this is an ideal or sustainable way to do business but it gives an organic and flexible capability without having to herd cats to get a link, a reachback architecture, a PED facility, coordinate RPA recovery procedures at a base with manned aircraft, yada yada yada... - Autonomous capability for mission continuation if the link(s) are lost and no operational effects from the air vehicle performing its lost link plan and possibly interfering with other friendly ops or being an easier target if the environment is not permissive. The crew can still fly a mission; gather intel, support a ground maneuver element, etc... rather than just squawk and stumble home. Some of those are a stretch and some are just some of the things we take for granted in the incredible functional simplicity of taking two trained and qualified aviators, put them in a jet and have them go fly a mission when we need to execute. The capability of 16+ hours on station is incredible but not the end all be all of it. We need to be good at a lot of missions not just outstanding in one, my humble opinion. Optionally manned seems to give a better mix at not too high a cost while giving great options; not that I have data to back that up as there has yet to be an operational optionally manned system but just my thoughts on it from having crewed RPAs and manned ISR, YMMV.

2 Hate to say it but it only gives more credence to more droids over X failed state we're executing Operation Whack a Mole but that's not the only way to skin this ugly cat. Just my two cents, but instead of a manned only CAS platform for mod+ threat environments, go for trying to acquire an optionally manned low to mod threat CAS & persistence capable ISR/Strike platform ( no AR 6 hrs. on station capability ). The Scorpion Jet is still in its developmental configuration and could be designed at this phase (with a sizeable check from Uncle Sam) for manned / unmanned operations. This center bay is built for up to 3,000 lbs. of whatever your mission needs to haul, put the black containers in there with BLOS antenna(s) on the back and the systems architecture and you really have a new capability that gives tactical flexibility. Optionally manned is not pie in the sky. The NG Firebird has been flying for several years now in both modes https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/Firebird/Pages/default.aspx Not a replacement for the A-10 but a CAS platform for permissive environment fights we are in and likely to be in with the unique capability to bring the manned element in for when the irreplaceable SA of being actually in the battlespace is needed / advantageous.

Yup - got the software stability issues addressed to an acceptable level and that was probably the biggest rock to IOC. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-35-locked-and-loaded-with-improved-block-3i-softwa-425098/

Back from commercial break... Here's one guy that legitimately can't go around...

He seems gullible, just a gut feeling based on the few articles/interviews of his I have read. I think he believes basically hook, line and sinker anything anyone writes about how the AF doesn't give a shit about the Army, USMC and how the Navy is perfect. His background professionally is all in academia with no gaps for military, government or private service and as you said, no real check from reality that would open his ideas to the tactile reality of the cultures, motives, strengths, weaknesses, obsessions and quirks of each of the services. If he had that first hand knowledge from a stint of service, particularly with anytime working jointly, I think he would be able to more readily see the competitive and somewhat cutthroat nature of the jockeying for money, power and prestige all branches of service have with each other. Just the nature of the beast and everything that any branch says about another branch should be taken with a generous dash of salt.

Not a bad idea, send a message, reduce risk and start the process of getting our people and shit out of the declining Turkish republic. Unfortunately, that is why we probably won't do it.

A new seaplane to love. First AG600 off the line. https://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/23/c_135534988_2.htm We can not allow a seaplane gap... ************************************************** CCTV video on the AG600

Yup - Erdogan is applying what pressure he can for extradition of Gulen without causing damage, just being annoying... if he ups the ante then lets pull up stakes and throw cold water on direct military to military cooperation with Turkey. Interesting article on Erdogan's jet and what is reported on Coup F-16s trying to ID it for an intercept (seems they were more interested in forcing a landing than a shootdown)... Switched transponder to a Turkish Airlines code and cut all nav / strobe lighting, F-4s tried to provide cover for his jet but had no AAM... https://warisboring.com/pilots-flying-old-f-4-fighters-were-the-turkish-presidents-most-loyal-aerial-defenders-f05322e31146#.c10c9h3u9

3 days and still on generators at Incirlik: https://www.stripes.com/news/incirlik-relying-on-generators-to-power-operations-1.419841 The question is starting to get asked is it a good idea to keep nuclear weapons in Turkey: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/07/19/an-old-nuclear-weapons-deal-raises-new-questions-about-u-s-bombs-in-turkey/

Hadn't heard of this, just googled it and they are still unaccounted for, would have thought they would be in port by now. Kind of Hunt for Red October, assuming it is mainly the officers who were part or supporters of the coup.

Follow up to story on re-tasking of CAS to New Syrian Army for BAI against an ISIS convoy. Impressive results: 200 enemy vehicles, 300 enemy KIA. https://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2016/07/15/diverting-fallujah-syrian-town-right-call-target-isis-general-says/87135774/

Almost did: At height of Turkish coup bid, rebel jets had Erdogan's plane in their sights https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-plot-insight-idUSKCN0ZX0Q9

This is a long time coming but Erdogan and company need to be shown the door: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/stanley-weiss/its-time-to-kick-erdogans_b_9300670.html Just to put a cherry on top of it after kicking their a$$ to the curb, cozy up to Greece... The shoot down of the Su-24 should have started the process (at least pushing the other members publicly for it) but as always, the Leader from Behind just let an opportunity pass. He's supporting ISIS, he's undemocratic, an Islamist, a thug and a loose cannon; other than that he's a great guy... https://www.newsweek.com/impossible-beat-isis-erdogan-power-442767

Yup - my tin foil hat is on as this does not seem unreasonable given the historical track record of successful vs unsuccessful coups https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3693729/Did-Erdogan-STAGE-coup-based-Turkish-cleric-facing-extradition-botched-rebellion-claims-president-orchestrated-plot-justify-clampdown-civil-rights.html I hope all is well for our folks at Incirlik; shit is getting very real, they arrested the Turkish Wing Commander there: https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkey-arrests-incirlik-air-base-commander-1468760920 Turkey is important but as long as Erdogan and his cronies are in power and slowly changing it to a quasi Islamic authoritarian state, we should greatly cool our support and engagement with him. Having Turkey solidly in our camp is great for the geography, airspace and logistics to deal with the various crises out of the ME but given Erdogan, it may be something the West will have to do without.

Purging the Turkish Military is beginning with a degrading treatment on the way https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/turkey-coup-disturbing-picture-shows-8437742

CNN says Turkish F-16 just shot down a helicopter commandeered by coup plotters, not everyone is on board with the change in management...

From Wikipedia so take with some salt but seems reasonable on what aircraft Erdogan could be on, how long he could stay airborne, how far he could get if anyone offered him asylum... The government of Turkey has a VIP fleet which is managed by Turkish Airlines on behalf of the President of the Republic and Prime Minister. The fleet primarily consists of an Airbus A319 CJ(TC-ANA) and a highly modified and armed (Air Defense missiles) Airbus A330-200 PRESTIGE (TC-TUR). The fleet additionally contains 2 G550, 2 GIV and 2 Cessna Citation V. When the President of the Turkish Republic of any aircraft the call-sign is "Turkish Republic One- Heavy". If not Germany then another NATO country I guess would be his best spot to land. Just saw he landed in Iran - wants to go to Qatar

Reports of Erdogan refused landing rights - plane diverted out of country https://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/07/15/erdogan-seeks-asylum-in-germany-report.html?via=desktop&source=copyurl Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Trying futilely to get back to CAS topics... Bring back the A-4 Skyhawk (to the AF this time...) updated & specialized for CAS or BAI...

More of an off ramp... Nah, that's the place Jabba runs across the DMZ...

Su-25 documentary and article on their deployment to Syria. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-has-its-own-10-warthog-syria-enter-the-su-25-13988

Sarlac Pit

CAS vs. BAI in the news, this story is making the rounds. Doesn't say anything other than they were "US jets" but raises the issue of priorities. No judgment on my part for the re-tasking as apparently a juicy ISIS target came up and assets were dynamically reallocated but our allies lost some dudes, that will have an effect on they way they perceive our value of them. https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/07/politics/syria-iraq-isis/index.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/07/06/u-s-jets-abandoned-syrian-rebels-in-the-desert-then-they-lost-a-battle-to-isis/ From the second article: “Hanging out our supposed allies to dry doesn’t achieve much and undermines our legitimacy and credibility,” Maxwell said. “It’s hard to establish and maintain rapport with these organizations if we say one thing and do another.” Break - Break Reading material on another interesting CAS case study: CAS at Khe Sanh https://books.google.com/books?id=Qw02ILaqfHQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=CAS+in+Vietnam+high+threat&source=bl&ots=1v6f6xAcTk&sig=vh9wjmu1MWlXCWr2bgNrLGwu3Tg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjDqZnuwOHNAhXHSyYKHSTaAGMQ6AEIKDAC#v=onepage&q=CAS in Vietnam high threat&f=false

Tragic losses yes, but epic effects...

Back to basics might be the new black with a resurgent Russia, China on the build up, etc... Army https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/20/heres-a-reason-for-army-to-get-back-to-basics-it-isnt-good-at-remembering-them/ Air Force https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/2612/Article/715384/ellsworth-launches-for-large-force-exercise-in-prtc.aspx Getting back to Large Force Exercises with an enemy that has more than VBIEDs and AKs is long overdue. On the idea of CAS within a threat envelope, I always wondered if the Concept Bird of Prey aircraft could have been developed into a light LO CAS / RECCE platform at relatively low cost. No big gun but if you could have an LO platform to deliver X SDBs or JDAMs against the SA-22s & 6s, that moves the needle significantly. With all the development successes and programs coming in on time and on budget, I am sure this could happen... CAS can be done in a High Threat Environment, ref Battle of Hoth...