This is the same Jim Murphy of the Labour party who said it was the current governments fault that six Type 45 were cancelled…that’s despite the decision to drop to 8 being made in 2003 and six in 2008…two years before the current government came to power.

The report from the left leaning Guardian has to be taken with a pinch of salt as it involves a speculative letter by said Jim Murphy and nothing else…

Maybe they are thinking about going back to B but the Sea Lords and Air Marshals would be up in arms! For the Sea Lords that would mean they accepted Harriers retirement for nothing and the Air Marshals want F35C as a realistic manned Tornado GR4 replacement. Also the long lead items for the EMALS and AAG have been ordered…the US is going to be fairly naffed off with a cancellation.

So lets wait and see before we all descend into a confused panic!

A low wing single puller prop is a useless configuration for the task.

Tell that to the Brazillians who have been effectively using the Super Tucano for many years in that role…going on what you have just written I have to conclude you haven’t got a clue what you are talking about. The Bronco is not in production there is risk in restarting it unlike the AT-6 and AT-29 which are both current types.

You might well prefer an armed PC-6 over whats on offer but why compromise a small transport when there are entirely suitable two seat trainer based solutions and on that note the LAS contest clearly states that the winner must be capable as a trainer as well…how is the PC-6 suited for that?

Give the ANA some A-10 Thunderbolt…have you been keeping up with things…the ANA can barely look after their helicopter and and small transport fleet with significant contractor support they haven’t a hope with a type like the A-10. It might be tough but it is still a VERY big combat jet with a far more complicated maintenance schedule then a trainer based turboprop and a significantly higher base running cost.

Again this is nothing to do with the USAF not wanting the aircraft…they have already killed their internal requirement for this type of aircraft. These are entirely for the ANA and other client states like the Lebanon! The contest is being restarted as quick as possible with the AT-6 allowed back in and the funding is available till 2013. Selecting this type of aircraft bares no risk whatsoever to USAF F35 procurement and I am sick of people bringing this up as a reason.

LOL!

Fast jet jockeys: 1

Slow mover Army-support prop: 0

For a change I agree with the Air Force. That thing was pointless.

In what way was it pointless? These aircraft were not for the USAF or Army, they were for the Afghan National Army Air Force! There is no way the Afghans have the capability to induct a fast jet like the F-16, they have enough trouble looking after their helicopter and light transport fleet (with significant contractor support) as it is. They need a type that can transit to a target with a reasonable war load faster then their helicopters, a turboprop is the best solution.

This is nothing to do with the US Air Force/Army grudge match over who should operate and what type of fixed wing is in service.

This mess leaves the Afghans with nothing but helicopters to perform that task, the A-29 Super Tucano was entirely suited for the role and proven in combat unlike the AT-6. Because the USAF can’t keep a tight ship when it comes to contracts and the desire of suppliers to wheel out the lawyers at the drop of a pin this is farcical!

A route through Iraq is possible right now since they no longer have a air force, and since the US left they are no longer obligated to protect Iraqui air space. So should Israel decide to strike they need to do it soon.

Really?!:eek: They would have to go through Jordan or Syria as well! Nothing would unite the Arab nations more then the Israelis going on a military expedition through several Muslim states! There is no way the Israeli army could fight itself through all that and protect its logistics trail. This isn’t like Suez or the six day war it would be an utter bloodbath.

Aside from the visitors on deck its interesting to see the accommodation ship is moored forward of Varyag (please oh please China can you reveal her official name). That means a couple of things, firstly Varyag will sortie soon and secondly the crew are still mainly living at land based facilities (my guess the huge mock up):

Frankly canopy size is a poor metric of comparison, some aircraft have large ones some small. Without a view of the ejection seat it would be hard to say.

Hull is in advanced state of completion, wonder if someone will nab it on the cheap.

Well they are saying it will cost 1 billion Zloty to finish which equates to 205 million pounds. Of course you have to be careful with that figure as I presume that relates to completion in Poland. With a reduced weapons and sensor fit and completed in a different country costs could be higher or lower. It should be fairly adaptable as it is based on the A-100 MEKO.

There is certainly a fair few navies I can think of who would snap up this class of vessel if the price of fit out was correct. The hull is complete so there is ne reason why it couldn’t be placed on a heavy lift ship and be taken anywhere in the world for completion. The main barrier might be internal Polish politics, if the vessel is sold on and fit out proves to be cheaper then projected it would cause embarrassment to the government…this means they might prefer scrapping rather then selling on.

But how can I maintain my reputation as High Lord of the Pedants?