This indeed is a stunning scheme!

Reuters released a story today which states a government commission recommended that Indian Airlines be allowed to complete negotiations with Airbus to purchase these forty-three aircraft (19xA319, 4xA320 and 20xA321). These aircraft would be equipped with CFM-56 powerplants. It is unknown when the contracts will be signed.

Severodvinsk,
The Phalanx isn’t a SAM system but rather the CIWS 20mm point defense system found on virtually all US Navy ships.
I do agree that Sum of All Fears did lack objectivity when showing the strike on the US carrier, however, I was just using that footage as an example of whatthe result of such an attack would be.

With the amount of money available, one might as well go on a shopping rampage around the world and pick the best the world has to offer.

Interceptor: F-14A Tomcat (The best!)
Air Defense: Mirage F1 or late generation F-8 Crusader.
Deep Strike: F-111F Ardvaark (There will never be an aircraft that can measure up to it!)
Multirole: F-4E Phantom II (Need I say more)
Intercontinental Bomber: One only needs one guess, the B-52 Stratofortress.
Tanker Services: KC-135 Stratotanker.
Trainer: Hawk Series 50.

Heliborne assault forces:
Air Assault: Mi-8 Hip
Attack Helicopter: Mi-24 Hind

I can’t think of any other types, its late and it has been a long day. Cheers!

Dionis,
Footage in the Clancy movie The Sum of All Fears would give you a good idea as to what would happen to an American carrier should it be attacked and a few of the missiles aimed at it broke through the defensive screen. As much as the defensive capabilities of a CBG would more than likely be able to defeat any type of attach thrown at a carrier, I do think that overwhelming these systems would allow for a few of these anti-carrier missiles to break through the perimeter. Its getting them there that would be the hardest thing to do! The E-2C Hawkeye and Super Hornet/AMRAAM combination would make that a hard thing to do. Cheers!

Another success for the A320! Once again, it just goes to prove this aircraft is a favorite of most airlines.

These are indeed great shots!Haven’t seen the Patrouille de France in a long time, it must have been a great diplay. Cheers!

According to a World Air Power Journal publication, the article on the B-1 Lancer does in fact mention such numbers. It does seem unrealistic but I am simply relaying the information as I have found it. Cheers!