Let’s think a little outside the box.

There are three major questions:
— how to get there
— how not to get shot down when/while there
— how to do enough damage that it really counts

How to get there:
Buddy-buddy refueling as the one option. Massively complex, since it requires two on the way in and two on the way out. All in lo-lo-lo profile. Use old F-4 with all the super-size-me tanks. One the refueling on the way in has done, hurry home (or somewhere else?) and get a new load to be in position to welcome the returning strikers.
Option two would be to use an UAV’d (or not, but optimally yes) old B747 as big fat tanker mama. Night time ops. Fake transponder codes and all. Remotely escort controlled by e.g. a twin-seater F-15. Should have enough fuel for everybody’s strike package needs. can also be used as a massive noise jammer. Crash when empty. On the way home the F-4s from above could come into play.

How not to get shot down:
In the dark of the night the Persians probably can’t intercept more than 2 or 3 vectors. That shouldn’t be too hard to deal with. Big question mark of course the presence of double-digit SAMs. SEAD is needed for the strike package. Would be a great first ops for MALD or whatever else there is. Lure those Tor-M into firing. Should also not be an unsolvable problem. Pretty straight forward.

How to really hit hard:
MOP is a sissy. Build a bomb that *is* the aircraft. The Germans did it back in WW2. Take some old 747 or MD11 and put a 100 metric tonnes penetrator bomb with a rocket in the ass on the flight deck. Escorted UAV’d/remotely controlled like the tanker above, again fake ID if needed. Build one for each target. Over the target set the giant bomb free by blasting the surrounding airframe apart with detonation cord. Light rocket in ass and head down via GPS coordinates. Next best thing to the rods from God.

Stroke of genius after 3 beer!!

Yes with the aircraft being the bomb but make sure you get it scheduled in with civvy flight plans.

BTW You must have been having beers to think of that

With the Turkish PM going Isreal will be able to do nothing to the aid convoy and will never go to war with a major power for risk of the Arab world getting involved.

The Isrealis will not be able to cope with the TAF and the rest ARab world. If the Saudis get involved then the Typhoons will take out Isreal quite quickly

Wa there ever a plan to intergrate any CIWSs with the CVAs?

Tah

I would like to see the use of some of larger airbus’ in these sorts of roles.
A340 = AEW&C,SIGINT and Tankerage

A330 = all of the above

A380 = All the above but replacing tankerage with Airborne Command Post

Seeing the UKIP Defence policies (if only)

Although i’m not that old and don’t under stand that much i think that the possible rid of air tanker is a good idea along with the nuke deterrent.

BTW If UKIP had one we would have got an extra carrier and more F-35, Merlin, Chinook, C-17, more tankers than ordered and new maritime patrol a/c

love the shots especially the in flight ones