Clark Griswold

From what I've read, they've (the Ukr AF) have done okay but for the most part when there have been openings where manned fix wing strike can occur or where they accepted the risk and flew the mission(s) both sides have been wary and wisely IMHO, have been reluctant to risk difficult to replace manned platforms when the threat is very potent from their opponent. The Ukr AF lack of SEAD (and Russia) seems to be keeping assets (particularly manned assets) from being used how we (the US with Western Allies) would use them for attack missions. https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-defence-systems/getting-serious-about-sead-european-air-forces-must-learn-failure-russian-air-force-over-ukraine 500 kts may be not much more survivable than 325 kts but for delivering what kind of weapons and what standards of ROE? They could have requested the Hog but didn't as they are fighting right now, I think you've got a point as the inherent effectiveness of the Hog at these missions but I'll also take the Ukrainians at their word and if they say they don't want the Hog, I think it is for good reasons. The Russians have been losing the Su-25 in some numbers, not a perfect analog to the Hog but similar: https://www.businessinsider.com/soviet-su25-ground-attack-aircraft-takes-heavy-losses-in-ukraine-2022-4

I think given the density and overlapping WEZs of SAMs on both sides plus MANPADS is making a very quick ingress then quicker egress after weapons were released a premium vs persistence / redundancy / a really big gun on your jet High speed and low altitude, guessing both sides are flying 500 KTAS below 100’ AGL to try to avoid / defeat the threat while using ECM, decoys, countermeasures https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/06/24/russian-jets-are-flying-so-low-to-dodge-ukrainian-air-defenses-that-theyre-running-into-the-ground/amp/ I’m assuming CAS that is performed to any extent (majority I assume is being done by the Russians) is likely a quick dash, pop up, attack then scoot for reattack one more time Wiki says a Hog C clean at seal level will go 381 kts, with stores that’s gotta be way lower, no spear thrown at the hog but it’s not a Ferrari The better gift horse IMHO would be F/A-18C models we are divesting as we supply MiGs plus a shit load of other gear Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Article didn’t say but have the Ukrainians even asked for them? Seems like they want long range surface to surface missiles, artillery, drones, SAMs and whatever MiGs we can get for them from other nations. As to the Hog operating there, is there any area close to their FLOT that they could operate without being in the sweet spot of double digit Russian SAM? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But the guy said she was “really hot” How an Unqualified Sex Worker Allegedly Infiltrated a Top Air Force Lab

Concur - I don't know why such a superior and innovative design could not spur the interest of the AF, my hunch is that they didn't design it and they already had in mind the AT-6 or A-29 for LAAR because culturally / historically people had in their nuggets that you adapt an existing or older aircraft for this mission. Reminds of Verbal in The Usual Suspects Call it bias, prejudice, preconceived, whatever... the powers that be already decided that if they were going to get a LAAR to bring air support to the long mission of COIN / Occupation in Iraq & Afghanistan in a low-ish threat environment that a turboprop was gonna be it. If I'm out of my lane as you were involved in this process back in the day tell me to correct back to course but that's just my hunch.

Two similar but different requirements (AOW & LAAR) AOW for AFSOC, LAAR for ACC AOW - AT 802 LAAR - Calidus B350 or Scorpion Jet Posted only because GOs, SESs and CODEL staffers lurk on this forum looking for the best new ideas on Airpower and they need guidance on where to spend billions of dollars...

Sweet Jesus... someone take the jet from him please... https://www.theblaze.com/news/biden-reads-teleprompter-cue

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Another COA similar to that would be to poach Army pilot WOs separating from Big Green and offer an AF WO program for fixed wing qual but only as UPT IPs in the T-6 Warrant commissions are meant to be for specific duties / roles, this would fit that bill and offer a path to a regular commission for those interested in continuation As they would not be in command of operational aircraft / missions but formal training aircraft / missions, this should ease the heartburn some have with anything other than RLOs in charge of AF flying platforms

True To get it to happen (a US military seaplane) I think the requirement needs to be stated as a military, humanitarian and law enforcement requirement. Military support to those not explicitly military missions stated formally as a military responsibility as those missions will be ad hoc as needed and the military mission will be stated as capability to be kept at the ready at all times. As it is an expensive platform and has a niche capability it has to have a strong argument for it, looking at the likelihood of military contingencies in the Pacific along with sea based or coastal areas in crisis (NEOs, mass migration events, piracy, illegal fishing, territorial aggression on disputed islands, etc…) in other areas like the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Baltic, there is a legitimate argument for acquiring a capability to infiltrate/exfiltrate X sized military force or securely move X people into/out of a crisis area. What that requirement is - X people, X lbs of gear, X range, etc… is a great 6.9 billion dollar question… A WAG at what could be a feasible capability to maintain would be 40-50 Shinmaywa US-2 seaplanes in 3-4 squadrons/dets; 2 Pacific based in Australia and Japan, 1 Europe based in Italy and possibly 1 based in Alaska primarily focused on Arctic ops but could also support Indo-Pacific.

I hope this happens… https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/31162-why-is-australia-returning-to-a-70-year-old-seaplane?fbclid=IwAR3IHepbMggYO1S0Yq-eS9B7_HR8CuREdBNbBDs4bvOciv1VeE9IunxbMWw Company website on vaporware (as of now) revived Albatross G-111T — Amphibian Aerospace Industries (amphibaircraft.com) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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New thread to show how it's all about as I say not as I do... Luxury and corporate jets to receive special exemptions from European Union aviation fuel tax - TheBlaze

Once you listen, you can’t unhear it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 I hope the RAAF returns the favor in kind, super sonic pass over Chi com marine militia boat or other tit for tat measure

Chaffing motors ain’t cool Chinese Fighter Jet Challenges Australian Recon. Plane over South China Sea https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2022/06/05/chinese-fighter-jet-challenges-australian-plane-over-south-china-sea/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This. @congressman - this needs to be one of your last missions before your district disappears. Take the AF to the woodshed publicly and shame them. I know Schlitz is tight right now but this is another shit hole short sighted idea that needs to be quashed. Heavy / crew aviators should have a Phase 3 training program that is challenging and teaches them the all fundamentals and intangibles of being an aviator on crewed, multi engine, complex aircraft executing a range of missions. Flying heavies executing the set of Air Mobility missions is not the same as 121 or 135 flying, not saying that that flying is not challenging or requires talented trained aviators, but Air Mobility is a challenging set that requires its own special training for its new cadre. Initial ME training with a contractor, 50-75 hours in a King Air 260 or Cessna M2, then Tac Training in a backcountry STOL capable aircraft, 20ish hours. #brokenrecord I know but if the PPT rangers get this thru it will be almost unrecoverable

Must have been an awesome promo party https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/05/18/officer-motorboated-subordinate-at-promotion-ceremony-retires-after-guilty-plea/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If king for a day... Outsource initial ME training, give studs about 15 - 20 hours at All ATPs or other school to get initial ME training. Next training is 50 hours in a light biz jet with type training done at Flight Safety, CAE, etc... not a type check just training and the check is passing the AF program. Last phase is in a Twin Otter or other rugged fixed gear ME type for STOL, Off Airport TO/LND, Tac Approaches, etc... figure about 20 hours. Honestly, if you wanna save money on Heavy / Crew bound studs consolidate all Phase 3 for them at one base with good WX, a few airports nearby and some ranges/terrain. SW USA somewhere Don't min run training AF for what will be almost half of your rated officer force, you will regret it in the long run.

First debrief of a website and content creator deemed to be disinformation:

Wells that’s just FUBAR Copy on other platforms I guess we’re just f—-ed if this is what passes for responsible government I’m not against acquiring the Wedgie if it passes a reasonably objective selection process but you can’t expect Boeing to fairly run that process Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What other platforms are better? Nothing passive aggressive in that interrogative but from my limited knowledge the Wedgie would beat other players in power, cooling, weight and on board cranium power available to exploit the larger radar / sensors available Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ewwww…. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup second bay is high on the want to have list If you’re gonna go to all the trouble and cost, it’s gotta bring something to the fight we do t have right now, a lot of internally carried munitions in a semi lo / reduced signature platform would be something https://preview.redd.it/i8fcjunuymu41.jpg?auto=webp&s=c477f22888d616c5728d04bc8878244421b5a25a High flyer capability also (patrol comfortably above 50k) with 10+ missiles would impose costs / risks on our opponents that might negate / mitigate localized superior numbers in platforms they could generate Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Shit - okay maybe not this one ;-) I thought that was the tail hook Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk