The problem is (at least for the British) that they don't have carrier based aviation since they killed the Harrier and although (evidently) skilled at interservice politics, the RAF isn't able to live up to its claim of being an effective substitute for the expeditionary capability that carrier aviation brings.At the other end of the scale, the Nordic nations can reasonably claim to be punching well above their weight.Norway and Denmark have both dropped far more bombs – nearly 700 between them – than the UK. Both have recently targeted "bunker-busting" bombs on Gaddafi's compounds in Tripoli. Nato commanders are believed to have assigned Danish F16 jets to target the building in which Gaddafi's youngest son, Saif al-Arab, was killed on 30 April.
Data shows the US initially dominated the military campaign before taking a back seat and handing over control to Nato on 31 March. France also took a leading role, deploying its aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, the head of the British navy, told MPs: "If we had a carrier, it would be there."
Next up is the first flight of ANOTHER F-35.
Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Canin was at the controls for the first flight of F-35C CF-3 on 21 May 2011. The photo shows the aircraft on approach for a landing.
No matter how loud the critics might be, they can't deny that this program is picking up speed...on both the manufacturing and test sides of the house.
Bjørnar Bolsøy, thanks again for the articles guy!
fyi Dutch = Netherlands (aka Holland) Home of Amsterdam and Rotterdam
ReplyDeleteDanish are from Denmark. Entirely different countries. Home of Copenhagen, proud owners of Greenland.
Dutch aren't nordic. Everyone makes that mistake, just thought I'd chip in before it becomes a feast for the anti-f35ers.
thanks...corrected now.
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