Light interceptors fill the gaps, the heavies form distinctive lobes around the perimeter. The light interceptors can be dispersed to four times the number of airfields. The heavies need substantially long runways, regardless of how heavy the landing gear.

Like it or not If I.S is to be taken out Iran will need to be on side only those with limited fore sight will miss this point Turkey- Iraq- Iran and Syria hold the key to the long term defeat of I.S no one else and there fore limited but positive support is need by the west

and if Iran is flying operations in support Kurdish forces it means our boys and girls don’t have to and that is why the US should give Iran 10 or so Cobra’s and put side any long term playground sht

Turkey is quietly aiding the IS while superficially objecting to them. Don’t trust Turkey in this exercise.

Yes, I meant that the sheer weight isn’t intimidating considering a dumb load would weigh more. Obviously being able to strike 4-6 targets simultaneously is more intimidating to the opponent. 😉

Spud caught me getting the two backwards. I knew what I was trying to say, just said them in the wrong order. Basically the services are trying to standardize around non-pyrotechnic racks. I blame trying to use these handheld devices. The old desktop was so much easier to type on, but it’s not as available.

BRU-61 is a four unit pneumatic ejector rack whereas BRU-55 (USN) and BRU-57 (USAF) are two unit pyrotechnic ejector racks. BRU-61 would be limited to a pair of AGM-65 due to the overall length of the LAU-117 rail. The real question is why do the F/A-18 and F-35 fighters support BRU-55/57 and not an equivalent of the USAF BRU-61? Their pylon looks like it could theoretically support such a rack using the third lug.

Gripen NG artwork shows both four and six SDB racks. The F-16 has demonstrated three Griffin per pylon. I’m surprised there isn’t an American six SDB rack. Does BRU-55 sport a centerline pair of lugs for a third ordnance? Even if they could only take smaller width ordnance like SDB or AIM-120, it saves drag versus more pylons.

If you’re aiming at removing a star missile installation complete with radars and command vehicles then it most certainly makes sense for DEAD. SDB is a stealth glide bomb designed to enter into lethal range before a SPAAG system can neutralize it. There isn’t one magic bullet for all targets, but it is a nice niche.

If I had my way they would have upgraded the USS Des Moines and USS Salem, too. Much cheaper than new builds and all of them were difficult to break. And they are symbols of power. If you don’t display power then you don’t avoid conflict. Presentation sometimes is more important than actual performance.