Michael Dekmetzian

Given that the MV-22 is replacing the CH-46, I would suggest that that's exactly what we should be comparing it with. The H-60 doesn't have the troop capacity of either the CH-46 or MV-22, right?

Well yeah, but before this there was no real issue with selling to Libya. I also saw some recent photos of a Libyan with a G-36's FWIW. Great Photos!

Combat debut for the Brimstone?

Anecdotal evidence suggests Marine AV-8's did the strafing runs.

French armed forces spokesman is quoted saying it was hit with an AASM - probably doesn't count 24 March 2011 On it was reported that an AASM missile was used to destroy a Libyan Air Force G-2/Galeb light ground attack/trainer jet, the first Libyan warplane to challenge the no-fly zone during the 2011 Libyan Uprising, on the runway just after the plane had landed at Misurata Airport. Couple of images from CdG http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8390035/Libya-Live.html

Yep, read this. 3 B-2's were involved in strikes overnight. (amongst 16 other US aircraft)

Actually, the contract is for 17(18?) aircraft. I would imagine your point would remain true for the smaller number.

As I posted in the other thread, 4 armoured vehicles were reported destroyed in french air strikes. It'll be interesting to see what they turn out to be and the effectiveness of the AG weapons used.

There's been conflicting reports of who shot the aircraft down, and whether it was a Government or Rebel aircraft. According to the news reports, the first shots were from the french who had 20 aircraft flying 'all over' libya. Two strikes, and several armoured vehicles were destroyed. 112 Tomahawks were launched from the USN and RN, and there have been reports that the US has 3 subs in the area. The French carrier CdG will be leaving port tomorrow (Sunday), presumably from it's home port in Toulon on the med (about as close to libya as you can get). I also read that the UAE will be contributing 24 aircraft (Block 60 F-16's?) and Qatar between 4 and 6. Canadian CF-18's (6) should by now be based in Italy, though conflicting reports as to when they'll be in action; a report I read said they already were, another said it'd take them 2 days to get ready. US EA-18G's and (Nato?) E-3's have been photographed on the ground in Italy and are will be in on the effort if they aren't already. 8(probably) Eurofighters have moved to Cyprus and will be doing A-A missions from there. The RAF Sentinel R1's have been in action for a while of course, presumably also based in Cyprus. Lastly, Spain has apparently sent some of it's EF-18A's on missions and has also pledged a 707 for refuelling and some other support aircraft. Not sure on the location of US Carriers, though from the sounds of it the Euro/Arab air forces should have it well in hand. edit: There's also 6 Danish F-16's in Italy ready to go. edit2: Lastest report I read was that it was a previously Government aircraft that defected, but was shot down by the rebels.

Bit late, but from what I read airstrikes moved to 15,000 feet because of this.

Look, Boeing has 7 years to get it right, which isn't a hell of a long time in development timelines. Either they'll get it right or they won't, but from the below it would seem they'll *have* to get it right. ^^ but for the tanker, based on a 50 year old design spec - it makes perfect sense.

Well look, either they will or they won't but I'd say it's likely that if they don't, the KC-46A will have a very limited production run as KC-Y comes online.

Yep, there's a squadron of Typhoons on the island - it'll be fine.

Sounds exceptional. Any downside?

Perhaps not, though I suppose that if the TF-30 only just fit, making anything even slightly larger is going to cause issues.

During the Gulf war the F-15E actually had a greater load out; I recall reading that they were all being loaded up with GBU-12's to go after Iraqi armor, and the F-15's could carry more due to the hardpoint limitation on the F-111. It was the F-111's that did the first combat drop of GBU-28's, though. Interestingly this would be less of a limitation now, mounts coming into service can put 3 500lb guided bombs on a single hardpoint.

I wonder about this too. Did a search but couldn't find anything specific - must have been a way to do it though !

^^ ejected shell casings from the SA-80 still do, no?

FB-111's were Nuclear capable, and became F-111G's after deactivation in Australian service. Why they were F's.. not sure. Maybe a TAC thing?

Yeah. To be fair, the speedboat part would have been a large part of the high cost of these vessels.

what a fucking abortion. interesting though Cutaway, thanks!

Interestingly, Austal has a design for a smaller LCS-type vessel which would address at least some of the concerns you mention, though I believe they're only arming it with a 25mm typhoon; it's apparently is aimed at the australian SEA 1180 requirement. Characteristics Length : 78.5 metres LOA Speed : >25 knots sprint Range : 6,000 nm Deadweight : 320 tonnes Mission Deck : 540 m2 Flight deck : MRH-90 (ie UH-60+) Accom: 43 personnel More info: http://www.austal.com/index.cfm?objectID=DDAD0578-65BF-EBC1-2C1EA1B423C292D9 No doubt they'd build them in Alabama if the USCG wanted them.

At least they're sacking 25,000 civilians from the MOD. To be honest, the only thing that really surprises me is that they're not fitting the HMS Queen Elizabeth with CATOBAR equipment from the get-go. Seems like an overly complicated process to get one in-service carrier. The counter argument to this could be that they'd like to eventually be able to keep both as cat capable carriers and can't justify the process otherwise. If true, it'd certainly make a lot of sense although I maintain that it is wasteful.

You know, it's interesting. The freedom actually has a water-level dock, where the boats basically ride straight onto the ship (more or less). The Independence doesn't, though given that the freedom has used said abilities on operations I suspect it's more that they want some process changes and aren't going to test it until those changes are made. I don't believe for one second that they can't launch and recover boats.

Really? I'd have thought that rather short, and would have expected something on the order of 6-800m.