Thanks for numbers mandeb. Regarding Georgia losses I am not sure if any SM were actually shot down, it is possible some where hit though and returned to base. Not sure, need to check sources again.

Russian weapons are too big compared to western counterparts, smaller bay is fine as long as they can develop smaller weapons.

What Russian weapons are too big. Please, some direct comparisons would be nice. Kh-38 is too big? New Kab? Kh-58? R-77? R-74? I fail to see anything that is “too big”.

http://russianplanes.net/images/to55000/054341.jpg

Handsome Ukranian SU-27UB.

I don’t know. Not working on the project sadly. :p

I’m sure there are plenty of surplus H-6 airframes that could be converted to tankers for the PAF’s needs. It’d be cheaper than a few surplus IL-78s anyway.

And not as capable.

those side “bays” that supposed to house a missile each can be viewed as a type of conformal weapons bay. based on what people here have been saying for the past year.. they are not a bay per say, but are a housing that’s jettisoned when the missile is launched.

That is a myth. They are very much reusable bays.

http://vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/0/co/2237943.htm

Very interesting post! Hurruh for firm numbers.

Some Su-25SM modernization numbers : 8 in 2011, 16 in 2012, and 12 in 2013. Prior to 2011 the RuAF received 43 Su-25SM.

Wishful thinking is your scenario where China somehow is able to concentrate such massive assets against an isolated and poorly employed US carrier group.

Oh, and do work on that abrasive tone of yours.