Nicky10’s basic world view is that the only evil in the world is the USA, and the only evil acts are everything ever done by any American.

Nicky10 believes that, no matter how many of his own people Assad kills, as long as he opposes the USA then nothing he does is evil.

“Nicky10” is entitled to his own opinion which he is free to express. But, as his opinion is not being shared by majority he is being ridiculed by them.
Then, they may try to check his credibility and ask to support his claims and come up with some proofs. And their proof is gonna be on CNN et al. with the source coming from the righteous and never lying governments of the free world. And these governments are so righteous, just and truthful to their peoples and to the rest of the world that God himself sees no purpose of his existence anymore. Lucky us we live in such a wonderful world :p

ChrisDNT’s right. It’s a civil war, bad things happen everywhere. It’s much more complicated than it really seems.

As we saw last week with the helicopters enroute to Syria, Russia is always willing to supply arms to regimes to put down their own people.

Those helicopters have been refurbished in Russia and were being returned to their owner.

speaking of Turks, can Greeks tell apart the average Turk and Greek in the street if they don’t speak?

Yes, they can (in most of the cases). They may look similar to somebody who encounters them for the first time, but if you spend certain period or at least visit several times both countries then you could distinguish them without difficulties. Well, at least that’s how I perceive this.

Wanderlei, here are a few pics for you:)

Here’s one with the R-40/R-33 combo which actually flew that day:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia—Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-31BS/1761539/L/&sid=318c1160e0d9a547f9778450f2b96507

And here’s one from last September (in flight) with 4 R-33’s only:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Russia—Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-31BS/1986420/L/&sid=318c1160e0d9a547f9778450f2b96507

Also, somewone should check up on TR1, he probably had a heart attack.

What da hell is wrong with you man??? Two pilots died and you are trying to make fun of TR1. That’s really sad.

Doesn’t Block 50/52+ refer to anything over Block 50/52, such as Block 60, IN, V etc.?

No. It’s rather enhanced 50/52 version. This version has a new radar APG-68(V)9, new IFF system, the HMCS, new (internal) ECM suite, passive missile warning, provisions for larger drop tanks and CFT’s and some other goodies.

Its a modification to the production contract for DDG-115, adding DDG-116.
Its not a modification to any contract for DDG-116.

Final cost depends on inflation, any delays experienced, any labor cost increases from union contract re-negotiations, and all that other stuff that cannot be forseen at the time the contract is actually issued.

Here are the contracts for the “extra” DDGs… note that LLTM stands for “Long Lead Time Material”… things that have to be ordered well in advance of beginning actual construction.

The lack of any LLTM entry for DDG-116 is interesting.

N00024-10-C-2308 – HII Ingalls
2-Dec-09 ____ DDG 113 ___ LLTM ___ FY10 ___ 170,700,000
23-Apr-10 ___ DDG 114 ___ LLTM ___ FY10 ___ 114,003,000
2-Jun-11 ____ DDG 113 ___ LLTM ___ FY11 ___ 25,300,000

N00024-10-C-2311 – GD Bath Iron Works
26-Feb-10 ___ DDG 115 ___ LLTM ___ FY10 ___ 114,003,000

N00024-11-C-2309 – HII Ingalls
15-Jun-11 ___ DDG 113 ___ FY11 ___ 783,572,487
26-Sep-11 ___ DDG 114 ___ FY11 ___ 697,629,899

N00024-11-C-2305 – GD Bath Iron Works
26-Sep-11 ___ DDG 115 ___ FY11 ___ 679,600,348
28-Feb-12 ___ DDG 116 ___ FY11 ___ 662,927,172

Thank you very much Bager:)

The lack of any LLTM entry for DDG-116 is interesting.

What does that mean?
Could it be that the LLTM for DDG-116 had been ordered long time ago? Even before the one for DDG-115 (highly unlikely but still possible).
Is it possible that Bath Iron Works would be using leftovers from other ships (DDG-115 and previous units)? (again highly unlikely but still possible, if we assume that the GD would order somewhat more material per unit for contingencies)

Sorry for asking noob questions in the news thread:o

Alenia Aermacchi participates in the Singapore Air Show 2012

Finmeccanica’s aeronautics sector, led by Alenia Aermacchi, is to exhibit at the Singapore Air Show, to be held at the Changi Exhibition Center from 14 to 19 February 2012 (stand J-39).

The Singapore Air Show is today Asia’s largest showcase for aerospace and defence, and Alenia Aermacchi, the largest Italian aeronautics company to operate worldwide in the design, development, production and integrated support of civil and military aircraft, trainers, unmanned aircraft and aerostructures, is there to exhibit its main products and those of its subsidiaries.

Over the years, Italy has developed a solid industrial alliance with Asia, and Finmeccanica’s aeronautics division has built partnerships in the defence sector, taking part in a variety of successful programmes. Most recently, in 2010, Alenia Aermacchi was awarded its first international contract to supply 12 M-346 advanced trainers for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), through the consortium formed by ST Aerospace (prime contractor) and Boeing.

Furthermore, in June 2011, Alenia Aermacchi finalised contracts with ST Aerospace to provide logistics support for the RSAF’s fleet of M-346s, again as part of the Fighter Wings Course (FWC) programme.

For the Finmeccanica group company, Singapore and the Asia region are a fundamental part of its growth strategy, offering business opportunities in the short and medium term. Through the Italo-French joint venture ATR (Alenia Aermacchi/EADS), the company has formed a close relationship with Singapore, and more generally South East Asia, not only by selling a large number of regional transport aircraft, but also by opening a customer support centre in Singapore and training facilities in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, it has some exciting prospects in relation to the replacement of the Singapore Navy’s patrol aircraft and the supply of ATR 42 and ATR 72 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Philippines’ Air Force.

There are also some interesting opportunities for the C-27J in Asia, and Indonesia in particular.

Two Italian Air Force’s M-346 aircraft (T-346A) and a C-27J will be displayed At the Singapore Air Show.

On stand J-39 Alenia Aermacchi is exhibiting models of its own aircraft: the M-346, an advanced trainer, designed to train pilots to fly next-generation, high-performance military aircraft, and the C-27J Spartan, a tactical transport aircraft that offers high levels of operational efficiency, flexibility and excellent performance in all environmental conditions. Other exhibits include a model of the ATR 42 MP, the maritime patrol version of the ATR 42 developed by Alenia Aermacchi; the Eurofighter Typhoon, the supersonic twin-engine aircraft developed and produced in partnership by Alenia Aermacchi for Italy, BAE Systems for the UK and EADS for Germany and Spain; and a model of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional transport jet, which Alenia Aermacchi, as part the Superjet International joint venture with Sukhoi Holding, markets, sells and customises in Europe,

The US, Africa, Japan and Oceania, as well as providing pilot training and after-sales support worldwide.

Source: By Rob Vogelaar, 10 February 2012 – Alenia Aermacchi News (http://www.aviationnews.eu) and http://www.xairforces.net

Photo: Italian Air Force M-346 (T-346A) aircraft (Photo by Alenia Aermacchi)

Good Lord, what’s happening with you raptor2019:confused:

What date is in Glarus today?

Do you realize that you are constantly giving us news which are not news anymore, as they are usually 2 to 3 weeks old:confused: