Dustin Hoffman called the C-130 (from memory) in Outbreak a bomber. Hollywood precedent!

Very well put. For the past 8 years, we’ve had the lowest military spending in our history. It currently is in the order of 0.6% GDP, and will be “upgraded” to 0.65% GDP in 2011, or ~U$D 3.800 M

Damn, that must be about the lowest level of any nation of note. Even Japan is around 0.9%. I’m generally supportive of reduced military budgets, but evidently Argentina’s current level is not enough to sustain the basic skillsets and capacities that – unfortunately – should be maintained by any nation-state with the resources to do so.

Hopefully you guys can find a happy medium soon.

Looks like a promising shot for the measuring stick crowd.

What would constitute a “scary” engine on a fighter out of interest?

From the RuAF thread:

😎

In any case wasn’t there some rumour that the final engines for J-20 are going to be larger than those currently fitted?

Rii, are you a secret member of ABJ?

I’d say I have a healthy skepticism of the program but not to that level.

I just think it’s absurd to talk about the F-35 carrying external loads. Are we really going to see F-35s on CAP with 10 AMRAAMs? I expect the F-35’s external stations will see more use than the B-1’s – in places like Afghanistan or Libya where the F-35 isn’t needed in the first place – but not that much more.

Possibly because the entire case for the F-35 goes out the window if the plan is to hang weapons off of it on a regular basis. :rolleyes:

It is Miniature Detonating Cord (MDC) – an explosive cord designed to shatter the glass before the ejection seat fires (and the rotors are blown off in the case of the Ka-50/52).

In order to speed up the ejection sequence on modern jets, the ejection seat usually fires directly through the cockpit canopy – that’s why the seats have projecting ‘horns’ on the head box.

On some aircraft, the canopy glass is strengthened to withstand birdstrikes – so the MDC is fitted to shatter the canopy before ejection.

It all saves vital microseconds.

Ken

PS – The Ka-50/52 helicopters are unique in having an ejection seat for the crew – the Zvezda K-37.

Great info, thanks!

Good posts, AD and Madrat…

But I guess I’m in the camp of thought with those questioning why no F-15J+ follow-on block candidacy included here?

ATD-X is Japan’s future heavy fighter. I expect they’re looking to transition from the current 30/50/20 F-4/F-15/F-2 mix to an eventual 65/35 F-X/ATD-X mix at reduced total inventory numbers.