Stealth BlackHawk by the Aviationist.com

The Aviationist and friends have updated their view of the Stealth BlackHawk.  Check out his article for the full details.

RAF vs. FAA

The battle between the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm is becoming a bit clearer.

The latest from Sharkey Ward is helping me to flesh out the argument.  I'm not sure I can pick sides on this one but at least I'm starting to get where the battle lines are drawn.

Its all about money...funding...and procurement.  Check this out, an open letter....

Dear Chancellor,

 

You will wish to be aware of the figures that the Permanent Undersecretary to the Ministry of Defence failed to provide to the Public Accounts Committee last week during its deliberations on Carrier Strike. These are now provided for your information in the attached document. The savings available to the taxpayer are indeed considerable if the right choice of aircraft is made for the Queen Elizabeth class carrier (varying from nearly £5 billion to over £13 billion).

 

I would suggest that earlier figures presented to you by CDM may have been less than forthright.

 

The suggestion of a return to the F-35B STOVL aircraft was initiated by DE&S and CDM who would appear to have an alliance with MoD/RAF. I am now informed that The RAF are due to announce a tender/consultation on the Future Air Defence Aircraft.  It is no surprise that they are looking at F-35C with its deep strike capability rather than the F 35B STOVL (or alternative with equivalent or better spec).  One must question therefore why they are trying to push the F-35B STOVL aircraft for our new carriers. Presumably they think that if the carriers only have the STOVL aircraft with its comparatively limited capability, they will be able to seek justification for any new aircraft that has a reasonable DPOC capability.

 

I understand that they are due to announce a requirement for UP TO 180 fighter jets! This figure would appear absurd when we as a nation are seeking to project our Foreign Policy and defend our energy supplies, trade routes and overseas interests with just 60 carrier borne, fast jet combat aircraft.  It is for consideration that our disembarked, shore-based naval fighter aircraft could also provide a robust fighter air defence of the United Kingdom (against which there is no perceived threat).

 

With very recent analysis showing that the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm is 40% more efficient than the Royal Air Force in the Administration and operation of its aircraft, this provides a financial and a logical argument for having larger carrier air groups that can conduct strategic operations overseas and, at the same time, provide for the air defence of the United Kingdom.  There would then be no need at all for any specialised "Future Air Defence Aircraft".

 

Inter service politics.  This will get nasty before its all done.

Canadian Air Force still want the F-35

Interesting news...

OTTAWA – Canada’s military is determined to purchase the F-35 fighter jet rather than a cheaper or more reliable alternative despite a recent flood of criticism and controversy surrounding the U.S. aircraft.
That was the word from the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Andre Deschamps, who was testifying Tuesday at a House of Commons committee along with a panel of defiant senior government officials who have come under fire for their handling of the program to replace the current fleet of CF-18 jets.
“Currently from an air force perspective we are focused on delivering the transition to the F-35,” Deschamps said.

So what do we have here?

We have another air arm that is solidly behind the F-35.

We have journalist that are attempting to frame the debate in such a way as to make the public believe that this world beating fighter is a lemon.

We have the sad fact that people with agendas...from Sharkey wanting to ensure two carriers and to stick it to the Royal Air Force, to Sweetman wanting to protect EADS, to finally Winslow Wheeler believing that fighters should only have two heat seeking missiles and a gun---and others with views all over the map...conspiring to sink a program.

If it wasn't fact, it wouldn't sell as fiction.

Luckily, people with real visibility on the program know better.  And like the old G.I. Joe cartoon used to say...Knowing is half the battle!

3rd Reconnaissance Battalion

A U.S. Marine Corps paratrooper with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion glides over the island of Palawan during training as a part of Exercise Balikatan 2012 April 24, 2012 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. Balikatan is an annual bilateral training exercise designed to increase interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military when responding to future natural disasters. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Lyndel Johnson, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

Dynamic Views.

Just a reminder that you can have SNAFU! your way.  On the bar at the top of  the page is a Dynamic Views button.  See this blog the way that you like best.  Its your choice.

Check it out.

5.11 B.E.A.S.T. F-450 Super Duty

Hmmm.

Not as cool as the MagPul UniMog but cool none the less.  I guess this is the new trend for gear makers/fire arms manufacturers...I'll be looking for the S&W Jeep.

When I find more/better pics I'll post them asap.

The Dark Knight Rises - Official Trailer

I'm NOT feeling the "aster" with this film...something seems off.