I like how LM milks the USAF & Navy and Marines with numerous surcosts and delays on the F35 programs, while also milking them to upgrade their existing fleets because of F35 delays.

But I don’t understand why they don’t just go for the APG80. It’s already operational on F16s. Just remove whatever limitations export versions may have and you’re good to go.

Nic

Ah……. but what does one expect, when the U.S aviation industry has gone from the likes and competitiveness of – North American Aviation, Rockwell, Republic, Fairchild, Vought, LTV, Grumman, McDonnell, Douglas, Bell, Hughes, Curtiss, Martin, McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, Boeing, Consolidated, Convair, General Dynamics ……….. to today’s Boeing, Northrop-Grumman and Lockheed-Martin, Bell and Sikorsky!!
And from what I can see, with corporate take overs and the failing U.S economy and foresight, things are only going to get worst!;)

Regards
Pioneer

The formal development starts in 2016, with production beginning in 2027.

Wow that’s a long gestation period to replace the JSDF’s McDonnell Douglas F-15J Eagles!
I’m guessing their F-15 will require some sort of upgrade in the meantime – what with the proliferation of Flankers being the primary threat!!

Regards
Pioneer

It is always amazing to me how regular posters on these boards, who seem otherwise intelligent and well-informed, seem incapable of comprehending that there are no “low-hour” F/A-18A/B/C/C+/D Hornets or AV-8B(Night-attack)/B+ available for anyone other than the USN/USMC!

Somehow these people seem to have completely missed the dozens of links to news articles describing the re-activation of early F/A-18 airframes from AMARG to replace time-expired later-model Hornets, or the unplanned purchases of extra Super-Hornets because there are now no more “low-hour” Hornet airframes at AMARG to re-activate!

Or the recent discussions of how the USMC bought the 72 GR.9 Harrier IIs from the RAF in order to extend the service life of the AV-8B(N)/B+ fleet specifically to allow earlier retirement of its Hornets because of the flight-hour crisis with the Hornet fleet!

And the fact that the USMC has kept 16 of those ex-RAF GR.9s intact “just in case they are needed as fliers later”, because the AV-8B/B+ fleet is also running on the edge, with the non-upgraded AV-8B airframes at AMARG being raided for wings and tailplanes to keep the AV-8B(N)/B+ fleet flying (thus the USMC jumping at the chance to buy those GR.9s).

All of these things have been discussed aver and over and over not only here but on every other military discussion board I have seen… and still regular posters keep coming up with “just get some low-hour aircraft from the US” co-called “bright ideas”, as if they have had a divine inspiration.

Wow brother!!!!!! Fair enough :confused:

Regards
Pioneer

Australia’s Tiger attack helicopters grounded again for cockpit fumes

I’ve always said the Agusta A129 Scorpion (aka A129 Mangusta International) to meet Project AIR87!!
It was already in operational service, when the Tiger was still only in prototype stage!
I really have to question the people who make these decisions and get paid the big bucks!!
Not would have the A129 Scorpion have already been in Australian operational service, Im admit it would have already have been deployed to the Ghan!!
I’m sad to say its another case of the ADF being obsessed with ‘bling’ rather than reality:mad:

Regards
Pioneer

For me ………

LTV A-7 Corsair: Payload and range, chin missile rails (freeing up wing pylons!!)

SEPECAT Jaguar: Rough-field capability, High-speed low altitude penetration capability, simple and effective nav/attack system, over-wing missile pylons (freeing up wing paylons!!)

Sukhoi Su-17 Fitter D: Ruggedness, rough-field capability, clever adoption of improvised VG wings to improve an already existing design (aka Su-7 Fitter)

Regards
Pioneer

Report: Venezuela supplied Iran with F-16 to prepare for possible strike

I’m sorry but this makes me laugh!
This is the perfect reason in my opinion as to why the United States need to seriously consider the technology it is prepared to sell to any country that is not 100% stable. The drive and political control that U.S defence industry’s have over U.S politician’s is comical – as they would sell their mothers for $$.

I can just see Iran, who has clearly demonstrated it ability to copy/clone other U.S military equipment and technology, reverse engineering this F-16 (perhaps incorporating more readily available Russian (or Chinese copy/cloned turbofans) into production and service!!

In all honesty I would have thought the likes of Pakistan supplying the likes of Iran with one of their F-16’s!

I can also not but help reflect on the United States suspicion / paranoia about Iran being responsible for supplying the Soviet Union with a copy of their F-14 Tomcat – laugh :p

Regards
Pioneer

Whoops………..
I’ve just read this after posting my thoughts on the Indian IL-76’s

Actually, IAF has had trouble securing parts for Il-76 and thus has had maintenance issues. AFAIK, currently only about 50% of the fleet is operational at any one point. This is why IAF issued a global tender for an Il-76 maintenance contract.

Also, it was rumored that some cannibalising had taken place already.

I wonder why the Russian’s would be making it so hard for the Indian’s???

Regards
Pioneer