I think they should bring back the two seat A-10B idea.If nothing else,it’d make a good FAC aircraft,and in most situations,an extra crew member wouldn’t be a bad thing.

I agree the FB-111A was a good bomber,for it could do.However,wouldn’t have made more sense to forward deploy or base them in Europe rather then the CONUS? I’m sure in time of tension they were deployed,but since their range on internal fuel wasn’t all that great,I’d go using them as a theatre bomber.Also,it’d cut down on time to target.

They were standard AH-1G Cobras.In Spainsh service they were called the Z.14.It was the Spanish Navy that operated them,in support of the Marines and amphibous landings,support of light gun boats,etc.8 were delivered and four of those were wrecked,so attrition was pretty high to say the least.The remainder were retired in 1985,with 3 going back to the US and one staying in Spain in storage.As far as weapons goes,I’m not sure about torpedos,but FFAR pods and 7.62mm minigun in the chin seems about right.As far as I know,they were replaced in their support role by the AV-8S Harriers.

Well,there was a theroy awhile back that Iran was going to buy the Mig-31 Foxhound to replace the Tomcat,and that never happened.The Su-30 is more likely,in that it is more multirole where as the Mig-31 is limited to shooting down B-1s and B-52s and little beyond that.Still,I kinda doubt they are getting them.If they do,great,another great type in one of my favorite air arms,but I don’t see it happening.

I believe this makes for the 2nd export customer for the Su-25T/Su-39.Ethiopia being the first.

Apparently the NH-90 sells itself very well. Can somebody remind me the customers list, please ? I lost my count….

PS: glad to see that the Kiwis are spending some money for their armed forces, I read that their situation was not very bright some five years ago (ageing equipment, and all that…). 🙂

The first production batch includes confirmed orders for 253 aircraft (160 TTHs and 93 “NFH” naval versions), earmarked for France (27); Italy (116); Germany (80); the Netherlands (20); and Portugal (10). Other customers include Sweden (18); Finland (20); and Norway (14). The 350-aircraft backlog is worth $9 billion.In addition to this,Greece and Oman have also ordered the NH-90.So 11 countries when you count New Zealand and growing.

It would make a very nice replacement for the Mi-8/-17 series,which I believe it was designed to do.That is assuming funds and customers can be found.

Interesting desert camo,also too bad the Marine’s AV-8Bs never got the Sidewinder pylons like the British models.