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Aurel

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August 9, 2004 at 2:33 am in reply to: Japan to stop buying F-2 #2650447

Aurel
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Mitsubishi will assemble them, that is for shure. But the kits will be produced in St. Louis, I’m pretty shure about this. Eventually the Japanese decide to develop a composite wing for their “own aircraft”, and call it F-3. :rolleyes:
Some own electronics (comparable to the F-15I), own weapons, and the new bird is ready. Time should be enough for some of those smaller modifications (considering the production of the F-2 continues at least till next year)

August 9, 2004 at 2:22 am in reply to: Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers #2074797

Aurel
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It would make sense in fthe British would procure 2 large CTOL carriers. Instead they build 2 medium STOVL carriers, buy the most expansive and least capable (range, payload) version of JSF. Are they able tho launch and recover Hawkeyes or anything comparable from their STOVL carriers, ore are they limited to Merlins with radars below their fuselage ?
If it is about beeing able to fight out somthing comparable to Falkland, LHD’s or something like the new Italian carrier (Cavour) would make more sense in my opinion. Especially if it saves the money to keep infantry regiments active. Look at Iraq, do the British need shiny new multi-billion-carriers ? Ore do they need some well trained and outfitted infantry ?

August 9, 2004 at 2:08 am in reply to: Japan to stop buying F-2 #2650452

Aurel
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Why not ? As long as the Japanese are there, Boeing has some *save* customers. (Dreamliner, F-15,…)

August 9, 2004 at 1:52 am in reply to: Japan to stop buying F-2 #2650462

Aurel
Participant

40 less means one sqadron fewer.If they replace their Phantoms with Eagles anwyay then 40 additional Eagles would mean an order of 165… Shurely they would get them cheaper as the F-2, assembling at Mitsubishi inclusive. I think I should invest in Boeing stocks. 😉

August 9, 2004 at 1:05 am in reply to: Japan to stop buying F-2 #2650470

Aurel
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Considering this two-plane-plan, and that they are unhappy with their blown up F-16, there is only F-15 left.

August 2, 2004 at 9:09 pm in reply to: if MiG-25 was to be constructed with todays technology #2655497

Aurel
Participant

A modern MiG-25 ? MiG MFI made of titan/al-si-alloys with upgraded AL-41…

July 14, 2004 at 9:27 pm in reply to: Best European Airpower #2668546

Aurel
Participant

Maybe because french BVR missiles and ECM technologies are mediocre at best?

I think that is not true. In many NATO-exercises the French were able to proof the quality of their latest ECM Systems.
But my impression is that the British take great pains over update programs, while the French only upgrade parts of their fleet. For example: the relativly small number of Mirage 2000-5.
Hope they invest the saved money in the Rafale development. 😉
And transports….the C-160 is at the end of it’s live, or under normal circumstances far beyond it. The A-400 is badly needed, even if the French are in a far better situation then Germany. Further more, I would consider the British heavy chopper units as more capable.
So France ‘only’ second. Far more interesting in my opinion is the size of the gap between France/UK and the third on that list, whoever it is.

July 14, 2004 at 6:09 pm in reply to: Best European Airpower #2668718

Aurel
Participant

@ Steve:
serial numbers 4341 – 4352, 8350, 8352, 8359 – 8362, 8364 – 8369
8372 – 8375, 8377 – 8380, 8388 – 8395
are owned by Germany. There are two reasons why they are in U.S. colours:
1. ensurance 2. taxfree fuel
The Tornadoes in Holloman can’t get an USAF registration, because they are not in USAF inventory.

July 13, 2004 at 10:24 pm in reply to: Best European Airpower #2669282

Aurel
Participant

Hmm. You DO know that Tornado F3 is a dedicated air/air version? Sure, its primary mission was anti-bomber, but its pretty potent in BVR engagements. Plus the MICA is relatively unproven compared to AMRAAM.

… and has shorter range. Additionally, what has the French AF/Army that counters the Alarm ? What (conventional) stand-off weapons got the AdlA compared to RAF ? What about transport capabilities ? Ground survaillance ?

July 13, 2004 at 9:11 pm in reply to: Speedy Nimitz! #2076016

Aurel
Participant

I saw somthing on TV lately. (Yes, I believe everything I learn from TV. 😉 )
The scipper was quoted with 40 knots as topspeed. I found that pretty unbelievable, but who knows.

July 13, 2004 at 8:56 pm in reply to: Best European Airpower #2669323

Aurel
Participant

Greece- I have to agree. Considering their impressive arsenal of SAM’s and their excellent readiness.
The Netherlands-well I personally wouldn’t rate them that high, even after their latest heli acquisition.
Spain- Harriers and Hornets, but numbers ? And then, why not Italy at the same level ?

Yep, there are GAF Phantoms (and also Tornadoes) at Holloman AFB, but there is no way in the World that you can compare that stand-alone German unit (GAF/FTC = German Air Force Flying Training Center) with the ENJJPT at Sheppard!!

I don’t compare the units. But their are German-owned Phantoms in Holloman with U.S. AirForce markings, and their are T-38 owned by Germany in Sheppard, once again with U.S. AF markings. Nothing more.

What on Earth is all this about “Ukraine”?! Anybody here that’s mentioned them even know how many serviceable jets they have?! To be honest, the same goes for Russia.

If you compare only numbers of aircraft, then they are pretty good. They got on paper capabilities the RAF gave up in the 80’s. Hm, sevicable jets… the situation is even worse with their pilots, but therefore they got many good ground based systems.

July 13, 2004 at 7:38 pm in reply to: Best European Airpower #2669377

Aurel
Participant

I wonder why people rank Germany in the top 3. Is it because of the huge F-4 historic flight ?

Is it because of the huge UH-1D memorial flight ?

Is it because of the extravagant C-160 memorial flight? (Well more or less flight, when the C-160 are not grounded)

You are right, the C-160 needs no mentioning any more…
The UH-1D works still very well.
The Phantoms make up numbers… I personally think Germany should replace them with MLU Me-262… with AMSAR and Meteor. :rolleyes:

But besides this Germany has still it’s Tornados. The ECR is still one of the best SEAD-aircraft worldwide. And the IDS is still pretty capable since the integration of Taurus, even if low-level-attacks are obsolete today.

The army has with the CH-53 one of the largest heavy transport chopper fleet in europe.

On track are Typhoon, NH/MH-90, EC-Tiger (the order should have better been changed to a different version), the satellite system SAR-Lupe and used P-3C from the Netherlands or surplus Atlantique 3 from France. Further more are shortrange drones for battlefield surveillance already in service.

Oh, and Germany got own trainers, T-38 in Sheppard. The are owned by Germany, but sport for some juristical reason USAF-markings. (As well as the German Phantoms in Hollowman)

July 13, 2004 at 12:50 pm in reply to: Best European Airpower #2669586

Aurel
Participant

Without Russia:
1. UK (best ‘complete’ Airforce)
2. France (most modern fastjet fleet, modern UH’s but no heavy transports)
3. Germany (Phantom sucks, ECR Tornados are great, IDS Tornado got lately
Taurus ALCM’s)
4.Ukraine (enough from everything, but bad founds)
5.Sweden (Erieye + Gripen, Viggens,…)

July 9, 2004 at 2:37 pm in reply to: Sweden Confirm Pakistan wants to buy Gripen Jets #2672393

Aurel
Participant

Erieye and Gripen would be a dream for Pakistan, that would improve their capabilities enormous. Musharraf asked if the Gripen could be an option for the PAF during his Sweden trip. The answer: No it is no option. Even behind the erieye is big question mark. My personal opinion is that Pakistan should really try to end it’s disputes with India, get only the FC-1 now, which is affordable for them, and concentrate on modernizing their state and society. In ten years everybody should be convinced that those hostilities between India and Pakistan is a thing of the past. A modern Pakistan could have in ten years the founds and the reputation to buy what ever they want, to replace their F-16’s. Additional, PAK-FA, JSF, MFI (?) and the Teja will be available, Gripen, Rafale, J-10 and Typhoon will have gained their full capabilities.

July 3, 2004 at 11:15 pm in reply to: what are the pros and cons of buying French? #2676494

Aurel
Participant

Do you think that if some nation was at odds with Russia, say Georgia or Azerbaijan, etc. and they decided to purchase French.. do you think France would buckle into Russian objections? I always viewed France and Russia as particularly close.

Pretty difficult. Most former Soviet Republiks would shurely get no offer from France. But Georgia maybe be an exception. They got pretty good relations to Europe. It is a declared aim to become NATO and EU member. Additionally they are building a new pipeline for the kaspian oil to the black sea. And they have prefered European companies. But I don’t know how much the situation has changed, since Shewardnadse was forced to retire. 😕
Russia and France shurely are pretty close to each other when it comes to international politics. Both are the loosers of the Iraq-war, since there oil-contracts with Saddam are now worthless.
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Viewing 15 posts - 751 through 765 (of 939 total)

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