ASTER contract already signed? Since when Austin?

I first heard about the M88-4 a couple of years ago but I think it may still be quite a few years away. It may be a projected version to feed the next decade or two of export sales perhaps?

Yesterday, the head of the Sukhoy Aviation Holding Company, Mikhail Pogosyan, and the air force commander-in-chief, General of the Army Vladimir Mikhaylov, almost simultaneously acknowledged that there will not be a revolution is military aircraft construction in the near future. Russian aces will receive the long-awaited fifth generation combat airplane not earlier than 2012.

I recall earlier reports, and I mean a couple of years ago now, that stated PAK-FA would be up and running by 2010, as in flying. Now it is 2012? Starting to sound like American optimism. :p

Bulgaria has a small patrol-based fleet, with an old Soviet KONI class FF as their biggest combat vessel. Romania’s fleet is larger, and with two ex-RN Type 22 Batch 2 FFGs at the head now and quite a few smaller patrol types and auxilliaries. Both have the Black Sea trade routes to protect, and the Bulgarians may eventually opt for something larger and more modern in future to replace an aging list, if they can afford it.

I certainly hope it won’t be a flop. I had great anticipation for Alien 3 many years ago, but left the cinema dissapointed. Alien:The Resurrection was better, but there definitely has to be a return to the terror factor of the original and the first sequel!

Nice one Frank. 🙂

The first pic was not taken during pitch black 04: it’s a mirage 2000C not a mirage 2000-5

Typical of the defence people to throw in a generic photo of the Mirage 2000.

Have you guys read this?:

The German Secret Projects series of these books has been brilliant!