Military talk thread

[Duckduck]

Interesting that the US themselves don't have anything that fits the bill. I wonder what happened to Bell and Sikorsky?

 

helicopter is dinosaur tech... the big $ in US is drone n missiles... check northrop grumman & raytheon

[Vega]

Some old news.

 

F18G "take down" F22

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/02/growler-power-ea-18g-boasts-f/

 

 

Today was Electronic Awareness Warfare Appreciation Day at Andrews AFB. The base hosted a sort of petting zoo for high-tech jamming systems. I noticed a Boeing EA-18G parked on the side, and struck up a conversation with the pilot.As we chatted about interference cancellation systems, I couldn’t help but notice an odd decal decorating the side of the fuselage. I asked the pilot: What’s that aircraft decal on the fuselage?“That’s an F-22,” he said. Well, why is it there?“Because this is the EA-18G that killed an F-22,” he explained.Um, really?Alas, after that bombshell, the conversation quickly dried up. I did learn the EA-18G kill was courtesy of a well-timed AIM-120 AMRAAM shot. And I learned the simulated combat exercise took place at Nellis AFB. How the EA-18G escort jammer got the shot, and whether its jamming system played a role in the incident were not questions the pilot was prepared to answer.For the spotters, the aircraft pictured above is EA-1, the first of two Lot 27 F/A-18Fs converted into flying prototypes for the EA-18G program. - See more at: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/02/growler-power-ea-18g-boasts-f/#sthash.aVrE9SUW.dpuf

 

Germany's Typhoon had F22 as "salad".

http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/23/f-22-raptor-kill-markings/

 

 

As the majority of the readers of The Aviationist already know, there are very different opinions as to the outcomes of the dogfights between the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and the German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons during the recent Red Flag – Alaska.

Was the F-22 “overwhelming” or was it “salad” for the Eurofighter’s pilots lunch (that recounted several Raptor kills)?

Anyway, as the following photos taken by Dietmar Fenners at Neuburg on Jul. 18 seems to show, the German Air Force is particularly proud of the simulated shot down of several F-22s achieved during the mock engaments.

To such an extent two planes boast some F-22 Raptor kills.

Hence, at least in a (possibly unrealistic) WVR (Within Visual Range) air-to-air engagement with the Typhoon, the Raptor is not invincible.

However, as already explained several times, simulated kills scored during dissimilar BFM engagements don’t prove a fighter plane is better than another one, and are almost meaningless unless the actual Rules Of Engagement (ROE) and the training scenario are known.

 

[Keithchue]

 

This?

 

 

I have driven the exact same truck on display and much more. one of my faves..

Wah memories of the mar see lee 3 tonner.. sleeping in it otw to range n training. Sliding from end of the bench.. to the other wen driver jam break... seeing soldiers injured wen dismount by jumping of the back.... after tis 3 tonner... SAF got the fiat tonner.. tat also alot memories...

fiat is rubbish.....Mercedes is the best one yet, driven the new man 5 ton during reservist, comes close, but don't like the cab over engine, prefer the engine in front and the driver behind for better weight and not floatness during cross country moving. but I usually drive a lowbed into the ex area for ferrying tanks and bridges...

[Vulcann]

Also the AV-8A and AV-8B Harrier, and B-57 Canberra.

 

But the Sea King was actually of American origin.

 

my bad. always thought the sea king was brit in origin.

[Duckduck]

is our conscription NS still required in this day n age? is there a live military threat nearby? if we didnt have 2yrs NS but instead a professional army, will we be more vulnerable?

Edited February 16, 2015 by Duckduck

[Kusje]

is our conscription NS still required in this day n age? is there a live military threat nearby? if we didnt have 2yrs NS but instead a professional army, will we be more vulnerable?

 

How will we ever live without free labor to organise NDP?

[Nolicense]

 

How will we ever live without free labor to organise NDP?

and pack goodies bag.. and direct traffic for WEF or APEC or what have you..

[Shull]

Some old news.

 

F18G "take down" F22

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/02/growler-power-ea-18g-boasts-f/

 

 

Germany's Typhoon had F22 as "salad".

http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/23/f-22-raptor-kill-markings/

 

 

 

TBH, stealth is overrated. Why?

 

Because (save for classified technologies which only those at the topmost level of the industry knows) what makes a plane invisible to radar is (1) well placed flat surface which deflects radar waves away from the source and (2) Radar absorbent paint and materials.

 

Now, every single weapon pylons, missiles, external fuel tank fixed under an F-22 will increase it's radar cross section greatly, such that the stealthy features become pointless. So, either you maintain your stealth by having ZERO external weapons and limited fuel range, or forgo stealth and keep your weapons. It's a tradeoff.

 

The same goes for the original stealth fighter, F-117A and the B2 bomber. Notice these 2 do not have external weapons points. Everything is carried internally.

Edited February 16, 2015 by Shull

[Vega]

I do agree we shouldn't place stealth as the top priority for a 5th gen fighter. Even if it keeps all the weapons internal, once it starts firing, it will have to expose its position.

 

The Russians claim they can see F22 on their radar already.

During one exercise, the US made known to their partners they will be flying 2 f22 from Alasaka but release another 2 more following behind without anyone knowing just to test how partners radars captured the f22.

 

only the Russians can see 4 f22.

 

 

TBH, stealth is overrated. Why?

 

Because (save for classified technologies which only those at the topmost level of the industry knows) what makes a plane invisible to radar is (1) well placed flat surface which deflects radar waves away from the source and (2) Radar absorbent paint and materials.

 

Now, every single weapon pylons, missiles, external fuel tank fixed under an F-22 will increase it's radar cross section greatly, such that the stealthy features become pointless. So, either you maintain your stealth by having ZERO external weapons and limited fuel range, or forgo stealth and keep your weapons. It's a tradeoff.

 

The same goes for the original stealth fighter, F-117A and the B2 bomber. Notice these 2 do not have external weapons points. Everything is carried internally.

[macrosszero]

The F-15 platform still has some life in it - McDonnell Douglas/Boeing are trying to market the Silent Eagle concept and their demonstrator is a F-15E. It promises reduced radar signature through radar absorbent coating, and conformal weapon bays on each side of the aircraft. If Singapore really wants to take a step in the stealth direction, this could be a fall-back option in the event that the F-35 turns out to be a turkey.

 

They could do a retrofit pack for all the existing F-15 users who have committed to the F-35, like Israel, Japan, Singapore, etc. Probably a good interim solution. Kind of like the Leopard 2SG upgrade pack for the 2A4.

 

In other interesting news, it was reported in 2005 that a single Eurofighter Typhoon took on three RSAF F-16 in a dogfight during selection trials and came out on top (you could actually see it parked at Paya Lebar on an older Google satellite photo). It finished 2nd runner up (the Rafael was 1st runner up), and the F-15E was the winner - it does highlight that priority for this purchase wasn't purely dogfighting.

[Shull]

The F-15 platform still has some life in it - McDonnell Douglas/Boeing are trying to market the Silent Eagle concept and their demonstrator is a F-15E. It promises reduced radar signature through radar absorbent coating, and conformal weapon bays on each side of the aircraft. If Singapore really wants to take a step in the stealth direction, this could be a fall-back option in the event that the F-35 turns out to be a turkey.

 

They could do a retrofit pack for all the existing F-15 users who have committed to the F-35, like Israel, Japan, Singapore, etc. Probably a good interim solution. Kind of like the Leopard 2SG upgrade pack for the 2A4.

 

In other interesting news, it was reported in 2005 that a single Eurofighter Typhoon took on three RSAF F-16 in a dogfight during selection trials and came out on top (you could actually see it parked at Paya Lebar on an older Google satellite photo). It finished 2nd runner up (the Rafael was 1st runner up), and the F-15E was the winner - it does highlight that priority for this purchase wasn't purely dogfighting.

 

Most of the air-to-air engagement these days are BVR, so whoever gets the first shot out has the advantage. The only time when you need maneuverability is when dodging missiles.

 

Of course, current weapon arsenal also plays a part when it comes to military jets selection. The F-16 can interchange weapons with the F-15, so makes more sense to stick with a similar platform.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Shull

[macrosszero]

Harrier pilot sticks a no-nosegear landing.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRtlM6IoH-Y

[Adrianli]

From CNA:

 

Airbus wins US$221 million US Army order for 41 helicopters

 

POSTED: 13 Feb 2015 06:35

The U.S. unit of Europe's Airbus Group was awarded a contract worth US$221 million to build 41 more UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters for the U.S. Army, the Pentagon said in its daily digest of major contracts on Thursday.

 

People are silhouetted past a logo of the Airbus Group during the Airbus annual news conference in Colomiers, near Toulouse January 13, 2015. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

 

WASHINGTON: The U.S. unit of Europe's Airbus Group was awarded a contract worth US$221 million to build 41 more UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters for the U.S. Army, the Pentagon said in its daily digest of major contracts on Thursday.

 

The contract, which runs through July 31, 2017, marks a modification of Airbus's existing Army contract, and covers production of 41 more helicopters and associated radio communications systems.

 

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, editing by G Crosse)

 

- Reuters

 

(source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/airbus-wins-us-221-millio/1655540.html )

 

I think the US is interested in UH-72A Lakota cos its civilian version is able to operate remotely.

 

Watch the civilian version, the EC-145 doing a remote control flight :

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z9LdL-VA3E

 

[Vulcann]

 

I think the US is interested in UH-72A Lakota cos its civilian version is able to operate remotely.

 

Watch the civilian version, the EC-145 doing a remote control flight :

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z9LdL-VA3E

 

 

Interesting.

 

RC flights now seem to be the new norm.

 

They even upgrade the term to UAVs.

 

And you of all persons should be well familiar with these "toys"

[Vulcann]

Turkish warplanes crash in central province of Malatya, killing four

Published: 4:15 AM, February 25, 2015

ANKARA - Two Turkish warplanes crashed during a training exercise on Tuesday in the central Turkish province of Malatya, killing all four crew, the military said.

Contact was lost with the RF-4E reconnaissance aircraft after they took off from Malatya air base on Tuesday evening for planned night training, a statement on the Chief of Staff's website said.

"Search operations were immediately started. At 2045 the wreckage of our two planes was discovered and unfortunately four pilots have been martyred," the statement added. No reason for the crashes was given.

 

The planes came down in Akcadag district, more than 150 km (90 miles) north of the Syrian border, a military source told Reuters.

 

Turkey has the second largest armed forces in NATO and in recent years its fighter jets have played an active role in patrolling its troubled borders with neighboring Iraq and Syria. In 2012 the Syrian air force shot down a Turkish F-4 over the Mediterranean. REUTERS

 

(Source: http://www.todayonline.com/world/turkish-warplanes-crash-central-province-malatya-killing-one-security-sources )

[Vulcann]

A Turk RF-4E:

 

 

Unfathomable that an old warbird of Vietnam era still flies under the flags of some states even if they are upgraded zillionth times.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jamesc]

 

TBH, stealth is overrated. Why?

 

Because (save for classified technologies which only those at the topmost level of the industry knows) what makes a plane invisible to radar is (1) well placed flat surface which deflects radar waves away from the source and (2) Radar absorbent paint and materials.

 

Now, every single weapon pylons, missiles, external fuel tank fixed under an F-22 will increase it's radar cross section greatly, such that the stealthy features become pointless. So, either you maintain your stealth by having ZERO external weapons and limited fuel range, or forgo stealth and keep your weapons. It's a tradeoff.

 

The same goes for the original stealth fighter, F-117A and the B2 bomber. Notice these 2 do not have external weapons points. Everything is carried internally.

 

To keep the external weapons and fuel tanks

 

just fly upside down. Ground radars cannot

 

pick you up and to stop other aircrafts seeing

 

you on radar just fly higer and upside down.

 

[Vega]

I just watched a taiwanese program and they claimed that our air force and navy were built up by them. Even our very first air force and navy chiefs were taiwanese.

All along I thot the Israelis trained us up.

 

Anyone can confirm this?