Here seen some pictures of F-22P’s for PN. first unit undergoing sea trials.

I find interesting that the two AK730 mounts on the stern hanger are directed by a single EFR-1 Rice Lamp rather their own dedicated radar on each mount. I would of thought that would seriously hamper each mounts ability to tackle multi axis saturation attacks.

Also note she appears to have the grid circle for a harpoon deck lock system on her stern heli deck.

On another note I had a Phantom book which described how the NATO forces intended to engage the swarm of Russian tactical fighters over Germany in the event of WW3.

The RAF, USAF and Luftwaffe F4 along with F15 would volley off a barrage of Sparrow missiles before turning home to rearm with the smaller fighters like the F16 racing in afterwoods to engage what was left.

There was also some interesting info about how the F16 would operate with the Phantom as at that time whilst the radar on the F16 was more modern the Radar on the F4 had better range and ability to operate with ground clutter.

The simple fact is that in Russian service the role the Mig29 was purchased for no longer exists.

They were intended as a relatively cheap, simple, short legged fighter intended to operate in Nothern Europe close to the FEBA replacing the myriad Mig21 and Mig23 still in service in the late 80’s. Avionics wise the majority of the Mig29 in Russian service are not much better then the Mig23’s, no problem in a WW3 situation over Germany where numbers and simplicity of operation were the key factor.

Now even with oil and gas money there is still only limited funds to go around upgrading and maintaining a fleet of fairly primative Mig29 is not exactly the best plan. Certainly the strategic bombers get funding priority but after that the Mig31 is still important as the Russians are still very jumpy about American strategic bombers and the cruise missiles they carry. The Su27 in Russian service always had more capable avionics, with a larger airframe and greater range the more logical choice for limited airforce funds. Combined with a healthy export book funding upgrades the better choice in all respects. The Algerian SMT will be inducted into service partially as a face saving exercise but with PAK-FA coming up and a general rationalisation of Russia’s millitary aviation fleet expect a fairly large draw down of the Mig29.

So, if the story is accurate, we have a US citizen aboard a Turkish airliner flying from Turkey to the USA scared out of his wits by the number of Middle Eastern and Moslem looking people on board.

What sort of people did he expect to see on this Turkish airliner flying from Turkey to the USA?

The word “onanist” is flitting across my mind for some inexplicable reason.

You beat me to it!

What an utter fool, what was he expecting?

Sadly this is happening more often these days…the crazy thing is the actual men who performed the September 11 attack were dressed up like normal westerners with short hair.

India has already ordered 6 C 130 Js and another 6 are on the pipeline. It means that some sort of Lockheed training and logistics would be already in place by the time the F 16 IN is inducted. Because its such a big order, I have no doubts that the manufacturers will give adequate training when or before the first batch is inducted.

uss novice

You aint deserving of a response with your anti-american bias. But it is not civil when you call people brain damaged etc. just because they disagree with you.

India ordered the C130J as it is the only medium tactical transport available on the market which could do the job they wanted which was to support their special forces among other things. Much the same with the P8I purchase where there is no realistic new long range ASW asset on the market bar the P8.

India will set up a logistic chain for both these types but how many parts and systems do they share with the F16 or F/A18? …. Barely anything! Certainly not enough to enable an easy induction of both those fighter types.

As I have said before this is Dassault’s contest to loose.

That news is old news, It was published on September of 2008. The news about price hike is new. Now why would you post it again after I have said this before ?

The refueling probe mounted in the conformal fuel tank is very interesting, I can see other F16 users being interested in that. For example it would solve a problem for Pakistan in respect of its Block 50/52 purchase. I wonder how practical it would be to retrofit it to earlier block F16.

A very sensible and pragmatic decision by Sweden, also a fairly low risk if they lever technology from the Gripen.

All the internal systems and avionics can be carried over to a Stealthy design.