Energy retention in a turning fight is everything! Evertime you make a turn energy is bled off, speed into the turn and size/shape of wing will determine how much energy is lost.

The Su 27 and Mig 29 have nice large wings (and a lifting body fusalage) allowing more energy to be retained.

After the cobra was first shown in the west lots of people wasted alot of time tring to work out its tactical use. The only answer that people have come up with is to break a missile lock or dodge of a missile. Considering the quality of the latest generation of tracking systems the first suggestion is had to see and the latter idea is barely plausable considering the performance of modern missiles. Considering the tactical disadvantage you put yourself into by the loss of energy it doesn’t make much sense doing it in combat.

Interesting point, but are you sure its the Arleigh Burke class? I would of thought the early Ticonderoga class destroyers in storage would be more likely.

Those destroyers are too nice to go to rust in storage! What would the be the practical issues of removing the MK26 twin rail launchers and fitting MK41 VLS to allow a wider range of missiles to be carried? There is a fair amount of deck penetration for the MK26.

The thing is they don’t need a large powerful long range air defence radar system to detect low flying slow light aircraft.

Something like the YLC-15 E/F-band low-altitude air defence radar system would seem to be ideal. It hasn’t got the radar range to anger neighbours like India but it is designed to detect low flying missiles, helicopters and aircraft.

I wouldn’t be surprised if India produces a similar system.

Partnered up with something like the Type 90 AAA system (or similar equivalent) and Type 902 (or similar equivalent) tracking radar, they would be able to offer adequate local defence to the main air base.

I believe that Mallards current boiler certificate has run out, until she is overhauled and the boiler reinspected shes going nowhere.

Looking at the picture the helo isn’t actually on the Kiev, rather its flying behind it. You also have to take in perspective I have a hunch that its actually some distance away from the Kiev.

Does anybody know if the British ‘InterCity’ 125 is still the fastest diesel train in the world?

Not any more, the Russian TEP-80 holds the record now with a speed of 271Km/h

Isn’t the UK intending to use a Bae Systems developed HMS for its F35 fleet?

I doubt the Bell 407 contains any sensative technologies.

If anyone wants some fun then go to the Bell website where you will find a helicopter configurator:

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/commercial/config.cfm

Have fun!:D