I don’t know about the U-2 but I can tell you that the C_130 story is complete junk-at least judging by that photo, which in reality is a C-130 fire bomber having its wings ripped of out of structural fatigue.

What hot-looking bird!

I agree, smaller more “operational” Air Forces like the IDF/AF (vs Arab neighbours), HAF (vs TuAF), KLU (constant NATO/Coalition deployments) usually display a very high level of readiness and extremely well-trained pilots.

These three are also held as one of the most free-thinking professionals in terms of tactics.

I’d take the -M for the single most overlooked feature of tactical aircraft…

Character , Baby! 😎

Sorry but that cammo job is absolutely horrendous. The UAEAF one and the classic AdlA one are the ones best suited to the bird. Now, if the Greeks managed to get that Aegean Ghost scheme onto their M2Ks, that would make one of the prettiest birds EVER!

Sweet UH-60! Someone get that Indonesian F-16 special scheme pleeeeaaaase!:-)

I haven’t heard the best about Saudi aviators either. Most of what’s being said revolves around them being playboys, while their spots are guaranteed by family heritage/connections rather than flying abilities.

Question:Even if R&D happens in some buried bunker in a remote mountain region, don’t they still need the reactor to produce the fuel?

In other words, if their reactors get bombed, won’t their R&D scientists be looking for a new job if they have no weapons-grade material to make the bomb?

UNless of course they already have the stuff…