Maybe I’m reading more into a clueless reporter’s report, but it called the people on board as “passengers”, not “crew”. The conspiracy theorist in me would think that perhaps it’s a testbed for a remote tanker since the Navy planes don’t use a boom.

I’m not in the UK and this is all hearsay, but a good friend near Boscomb Down told me on 4/30 that 10 Harriers were moved to Boscomb Down for upgrade and testing.

For what it’s worth. I would think if this was actually happening there would be more news about it.

So, when DSI or A&C publish their interviews, this is only hearsay, propaganda, rumours or else ;
When our pilots speak, they lack professionalism…
Great.

This is something I’ve noticed quite a bit since my return to reading this forum. It seems that if it’s in a French periodical or a quote from someone that’s French or associated with the Rafale program or Dassault, it’s immediately discounted as propaganda, tall tales, or worse. But if it comes from a UK periodical, or people associated with the Typhoon or the program, it’s taken as gospel by the majority.

It seems to me you can’t have it both ways.

I wonder why they didn’t go in with the Pakistani forces like the capture of the Kuwaiti dude Khalid Sheikh Muhammad. All American operation has more political milage I guess.

Much more went on than what Pakistanis are admitting, for obvious reasons to reduce reprisal attacks on them.

Probably because they didn’t trust the Pakistanis to keep quiet about the operation.

The problem is that destroyers and frigates have got so big and so expensive that only very few can be afforded. I think there has to be a balance between the size of individual ships and the size of the fleet. As Lenin said, “Quantity has a quality all its own.” 😉

I thought Stalin said that…

And besides, as for the Russian BCGNs being called “frigates” by another poster…there was a time when to be a frigate meant being able to kill whatever you couldn’t outrun…

CVF-FR is too much aircraft carrier for Brazil, for that matter I doubt PA2 if it ever happens will be based on this concept.

A minimal design is required in respect of Brazil, around 40 thousand tons two catapults, arrester gear engine, landing aids and minimal (if any) command and control facilaties. A number of countries could produce that type of carrier.

Something like a conventionally powered Charles de Gaulle?

Funded by individual Americans, including members of Congress. One Republican was still there, last time I checked – Pete King – he made a sudden conversion to loathing of terrorists in September 2001, after actively supporting “freedom fighters” for many years. The US government was pretty slow to act against them, & it was damn near impossible to get IRA murderers extradited from the USA. They raised money openly for many years without the US government acting against them, & the “Real IRA” (the lot which rejected the political settlement, & is still killing people) was fundraising openly, unmolested, in early 2001.

And that makes my point; while the government didn’t to much to stop it, it also didn’t support it, either.

Why did you make that post? Noboby said they were unviable.:rolleyes:

You may not have said it in those words, Lawrence, but it was the clear implication. Must you pick at *everything* that’s posted?