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Fedaykin

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January 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm in reply to: F35 News only thread for 2013 #2258040

Fedaykin
Participant

For me as a British person after everything else what matters is “Does it out perform what it is replacing”! In respect of Sea Harrier FA2 or GR7/9 the F35B out performs them in every metric. Payload, range, bring back and sensor performance is vastly superior. Training for STOVL operations is far easier then Harrier for the pilots with only a couple of simulator and one real flight required to get a pilot ready to land on a ship. In comparison to Harrier which needs many check rides before they even dare do it.

In respect of Tornado GR4, the sensor performance is superior and it is properly multi-role. In respect of range and bring back F35B operating from a conventional long runway has similar or better range. The payload between types operating off a conventional runway is not that different. The main difference is F35B carries certain munitions internally restricting certain weapon systems. In respect of Storm Shadow F35B could carry two vs Tornados four due to it only being able to fit on the inner wing pylons. I don’t see that as a big issue per say and the main weapon systems for the type will be Paveway IV and a Brimstone variant. Getting back to range when you throw in wing drop tanks or our tankers it becomes a non-issue.

I choose to be glass half full. Frankly I think it has become fashionable for some to hate the F35 program ignoring everything else.

January 18, 2013 at 11:56 am in reply to: All of a sudden I find myself fascinated by the North Korean Navy! #2006958

Fedaykin
Participant

Well my last girlfriend was Chinese, I love the attitude and general cuteness of oriental woman. On the market for another one…

January 17, 2013 at 11:59 pm in reply to: Afghan C-27A debacle – what next? #2258429

Fedaykin
Participant

Reading between the lines I think there is a US desire to gift C-130 to the ANA. Don’t be surprised if a USAF or ANG unit give up some C-130H for the ANA, to maintain them contractors will have to stay in the country.

January 17, 2013 at 11:45 pm in reply to: French air campaign – Mali #2258436

Fedaykin
Participant

Really? Have you studied where A-10s have been operating during conflicts? In the thick of it during Iraq 1991 and 2003 in high MANPAD threat areas. It didn’t curtail there use even when they took losses and damage. They also operated over Libya and Yugoslavia. Tough old birds able to take considerable combat damage.

Indeed TEEJ, A-10 has taken heavy hits in her service life including from Manpads.

If you don’t believe me Stan Hyd here are a few pictures of 81-0967 during the Kosovo campaign, took a hit from a SAM and returned to service a couple of weeks later:

On a side note is the Bedford MK flatbed with crane being used by the USAF borrowed form the RAF or British Army? The guy standing on the wing of the Bedford looks like he is wearing Combat 95 bottoms.

NOTE: Images from http://www.thewarthogpen.com

January 17, 2013 at 11:07 pm in reply to: Afghan C-27A debacle – what next? #2258470

Fedaykin
Participant

It is in the current issue of AFM, so you should be able to get it.

As I pay a subscription for it I am loathed to give it away for free.

To help this report in the Wall Street Journal covers the main points:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324669104578205700307458668.html

January 16, 2013 at 4:36 pm in reply to: F35 News only thread for 2013 #2259669

Fedaykin
Participant

I believe the general conclusion by the USAF after they had a look at and trained against Luftwaffe Mig-29 was “Don’t wrestle in the mud with the pigs, you both get dirty and the pig likes it!”. In other words avoid getting into a turning dog fight as the Mig-29 doesn’t bleed energy in a turn like Western types and has a helmet mounted sight.

Then again West German airforce opinions about the quality of ex East German pilots that they didn’t have the training or doctrinal conditioning to make use of the types low speed turning capabilities.

January 16, 2013 at 4:18 pm in reply to: Helicopter Crash in Vauxhall #397397

Fedaykin
Participant

Unless it is an old add G-CRST was up for sale:

http://www.aircraft24.com/en/helicopter/agusta/a109e-power–xi104858.htm

January 16, 2013 at 3:47 pm in reply to: Afghan C-27A debacle – what next? #2259691

Fedaykin
Participant

It is almost as absurd as the LAS contest. The ANA need a simple to maintain robust turboprop coin type as their experience is mainly with helicopters and to jump to fast jets is impractical. The solution needs to reliable and off the shelf.

So on one side we have an unproven type when it comes to ground attack that doesn’t meet the altitude, range or payload requirements of the contest on the other side we have a type that is proven in service, designed for austere operations and exceeds the altitude, range and payload requirements.

Clearly choosing the latter is a no-brainer and the deal is sweetened with a new US based production facility and the potential for significant follow on contracts from US client states. So what does the losing company with the type that doesn’t actually meet the requirements do?…wheel out their lawyers and find a clause they can use to stop the entire deal!

Result ANA has no fixed wing strike capability with NATO starting to pull out…

January 16, 2013 at 2:39 pm in reply to: Afghan C-27A debacle – what next? #2259724

Fedaykin
Participant

Will I take the line that the AN-32 was the best fit and should of been the type gifted to the ANA.

It would of led to a far smoother transition as it was already in service with the ANA.

Remember the howls of protest in the US when the Mi-17 was procured for the ANA but the army stuck its guns pointing out it was the best fit.

January 15, 2013 at 11:32 pm in reply to: Wildcat, More Exports? #2006997

Fedaykin
Participant

Just some further thoughts on my last post.

In the end to operate a helicopter safely at sea it needs a whole load of specialised features.

January 15, 2013 at 11:27 pm in reply to: Wildcat, More Exports? #2007000

Fedaykin
Participant

I wouldn’t hold out much hope for the land variant in the export market, the Lynx in army guise had virtually no exports.

I think the reason why the naval version was a success is due to it filling a niche with the only rival in the market in that class being the AS365 Dauphin/AS565 Panther.

When it comes to land operations there are lots of alternatives in that performance class. Many armies will buy a civilian helicopter and adapt it for role as they then benefit from the economies of buying a widely established type.

January 15, 2013 at 10:53 pm in reply to: Wildcat, More Exports? #2007034

Fedaykin
Participant

I think it has a good chance, the Lynx was always very competitively priced. The Wildcat appears to be much the same, it undercuts the Seahawk a type that benefits from huge economies of scale due to USN purchases.

Is it the best Helicopter in its class? Hard to decide that one, NH90 and Seahawk both have favourable features.

January 15, 2013 at 7:39 pm in reply to: An Alternative Falkland Scenario #2260167

Fedaykin
Participant

A rare visitor sadly these days but nobody knows more about retired British surface to air missile systems like Bloodhound them him.

HE was having a nose around hence the shout out.

January 15, 2013 at 12:52 am in reply to: French air campaign – Mali #2260458

Fedaykin
Participant

Fine! Start a thread in the general discussion if you want to talk about the politics of it or that you don’t support it. This is the military section and a thread about the mechanics of an air campaign.

January 15, 2013 at 12:50 am in reply to: An Alternative Falkland Scenario #2260459

Fedaykin
Participant

wow BIGVERN1966 is about, how are you sir?
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