I always liked the A-7 due to its payload/range capabilities. Maximum external load was restricted to around 12’000lbs (?) at full internal fuel though, but that’s still plenty.
Here’s some operational loadouts from Vietnam:
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8x Mk 82, 2 Sidewinders and presumably 2 fuel tanks.
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4x Mk 84

Try that with your F-16/F-18 :eagerness:

About time someone posted a pic of God’s jet!

So god is Finnish?
Would make sense though considering Santa is Finnish, living in Rovaniemi where F-18s are based 😀

German Tornado with nuke. Not many pictures around, altough JaboG 33 is still tasked with nuklear deterrence.
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That pic shows a Tornado carrying a telelens recce pod…
So, anyone have a pic of a GAF Tornado with B61?

The Swiss Hornet demo team puts on really impressive displays. F404-402 power coupled with Super Hornet FCS :eagerness:
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The F100-232 would require the big mouth intake on the F-16 like GE powered versions. Previous PW powered F-16s including those using the -229 engine require the small intake.
The F-15 wouldn’t need bigger inlets.

Re installed thrust, the power point someone linked here or in another thread included this interesting graph:[ATTACH=CONFIG]215960[/ATTACH]

Maybe when the pilot uses them for an improper maneuver.
How exactly can TVC be a disadvantage when all it does is provide potentially more maneuvering envelopes?

That is like saying the post-stall characteristics of the Su-27 are potentially disadvantageous if the pilot does a tail-slide at the wrong time.

Disadvantages are additional weight and complexity. The F-22 is a prime example.
Advantages are found in post stall manoeuvring ie where no one wants to go and at supersonic speeds, which is mainly relevant for supercruisers.

Finns, Swiss, Malaysia all have late-production jets – the JAS 39E may replace the Swiss jets eventually, but you could still get a decade out of them. And as I understand it, RACR and SABR are (1) less expensive than APG-79/80 and (2) more importantly, easier to install and integrate.

Swiss Hornets are expected to fly until 2030.
I guess they can last considerably longer if required. During their first 10 years or so of service (1997-2008), the 33 strong fleet amassed 50’000 hours or a little more than 1500 hours per jet. Meaning the fleet should have plenty of hours left in 2013, the theoretical halfway point.

While it looks kinda cool, its also pretty fat. A lot of volume required for those CFTs/weapon bays which can’t be good for area ruling.