Special-K

My understanding could well be flawed, but Towed artillery has the advantages of being cheaper to build, maintain, and supply, easier to transport (by ship, fixed wing, or rotary wing), and has a higher rate of fire. Why would airborne get rid of their 155mm and keep their 105s? Or are they looking at some of the more mobile options like the Hawkeye?

Is there a place for a modern cannister round in this application? Maybe something where the 'cannister' opens up at some closer proximity to somewhat more distant targets so it isn't quite like a shotgun where the pellets start spreading out right at the muzzle?

This is very local to me and one of the biggest news stories in Buffalo right now. I have visited The Sullivans a dozen or more times, along with the Little Rock and the rest of the museum. The museum absolutely has the public's support, and I think others will contribute as well. A friend of mine who Is German has even chipped in some. I don't think this will be the end of The Sullivans.

I apologize if this has already been covered, but why would RM have the old Canadian Leo-1s? Was that a part of Canada's Leo-2 purchase? I seem to recall they were more well armored than other Leo-1s (Maxis?), would that give them a better shot at survival? I don't know if they would be ideal tank vs tank, but I can't see them as being useless in any of the other roles tanks tend to play.

https://breakingdefense.com/2022/02/air-force-officially-looking-for-vendors-to-potentially-replace-e-3-awacs/ WASHINGTON: The US Air Force could buy the first two aircraft to replace the E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control fleet as early as fiscal 2023, the service announced today. The service is now seeking information from industry about whether companies can deliver “at least two production representative prototype aircraft, including ground support and training systems, within five years starting in FY23,” when a contract is expected to be awarded, an Air Force solicitation states. Although the request for information doesn’t constitute a promise from the government to start a program of record, the move shows that the Air Force may be inching closer towards replacing the aging AWACS. But a big question remains: Will the Air Force choose to sole source Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail — an aircraft that has garnered support from top service leaders such as Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly and Air Force Pacific Command head Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach — or does the new solicitation signal a more open competition for the aircraft? The RFI provides little information about how the Air Force could structure a new program, if it chooses to pursue one. Instead, the services calls on companies to submit information on proposed E-3 replacement aircraft, including on key systems such as: its advanced air moving target indication radar, battle management command and control (BMC2) system, self-defense capabilities and key communications systems like Link 16 and Mobile User Objective System. The aircraft should be able to conduct at least six missions simultaneously, such as offensive counter air, defensive counter air, air traffic control, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, aerial refueling or combat search and rescue. The solicitation also asks whether the proposed offer is capable of conducting maritime surveillance. The E-7A Wedgetail is the likely forerunner for the E-3 replacement, given the fact that it’s made by American aerospace giant Boeing and operated by close US allies such as Australia and the United Kingdom. During the US Air Force’s Red Flag air combat exercise held last month, an Australian Wedgetail flew alongside US F-22s and F-35s. That experience could help ease the way for the US to incorporate the E-7 in future operations should it ultimately chose to buy it, said Maj. Gen. Case Cunningham, commander of the Air Warfare Center, during an Air Force Association event in January. However, the Air Force announced plans in October to put Boeing on contract to provide further technical information about the Wedgetail and provide analysis on how it could meet US requirements and standards. This additional RFI could signify that the service intends to widen its aperture before committing to the E-7. Mike Manazir, Boeing’s vice president for defense business development, told reporters in November that he was “very confident” that the Air Force would chose the Wedgetail to replace its E-3 fleet. “I believe they’ll be announcing sometime in 2022 that they’re going to move forward on the E-7,” Manazir said. “I think we’re going to be able to capitalize with all of our allies and bring that great capability to the United States Air Force.” If the Air Force decides to compete the contract, other aerospace companies could step in with additional options. During Dubai Airshow in November, Saab CEO Micael Johansson told Breaking Defense that the company is ready to offer its GlobalEye airborne early warning and control plane to the United States. “I don’t know whether it’s really political, that they have to select US companies for that [opportunity],” said Johansson. “We will be willing to discuss [industrial] partnerships, of course around that as well. But I think we have a very competitive solution.”

I wonder if the F-35C might be an option - it is the longest ranged of the breed, is set up for probe and drogue, and it can still sling fuel tanks (as can they all) underneath. But I would imagine the F-35A would have at least similar range clean to an F-18A-D with extra gas.

I would assume this is the same 'Ate' who has been on 'GrowlingSidewinders' DCS YouTube Channel?

Watching the video of the 'Cold Cat' shot that Shep posted, I'm just curious as to when this happened. Reading the comments from the youtube video (some of which are interesting and from those who were there), one commenter said it was July 1984. But in watching the video, I think I'm seeing an F-8 Crusader and an A-5 Vigilante behind the E-2. It looks like the F-8 was still in Reserve service in the Recon role, but the A-5 was already completely retired. Did I mis-identify the aircraft?

And a challenger emerges... ? https://breakingdefense.com/2021/11/saabs-ceo-wants-a-shot-at-an-awacs-replacement-competition/ DUBAI: If the US Air Force opens up a competition to replace its aging E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system, Swedish defense firm Saab is ready to put forward its GlobalEye plane as a potential contender, its CEO told Breaking Defense. “Of course, I would like to be part of an open competition when it comes to airborne early warning and surveillance,” Micael Johansson said in a Nov. 14 interview during the Dubai Airshow. The sticking point, however, is whether the Air Force decides to solicit options for an E-3 AWACS replacement or whether it opts to sole source the US-made Boeing E-7 Wedgetail as officials have hinted. “I don’t know whether it’s really political, that they have to select US companies for that [opportunity],” said Johansson. “We will be willing to discuss partnerships, of course around that as well. But I think we have a very competitive solution.” The GlobalEye is a modified version of the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet outfitted with Saab’s Erieye radar, which is capable of surveying about 193,000 square miles horizontally and more than 60,000 feet vertically, according to the company. So far, the United Arab Emirates is the sole customer for GlobalEye, although Sweden has also indicated its plans to purchase the aircraft. However, the US Air Force has already indicated it could be leaning toward the E-7, which is in use by Australia and is being purchased by the UK. In October, the service indicated it would award Boeing a contract for analytical work on US-specific requirements and modifications to the Wedgetail, and Boeing expects the Air Force will announce its plans to begin buying the aircraft in 2022, a company executive said earlier this month. Asked whether Saab is prepared to use political pressure to force the Air Force to open a competition, Johansson responded, “I don’t think so.” But he hinted that Saab lobbyists could promote the GlobalEye as a potential E-3 replacement on Capitol Hill. “Of course, we have our organization trying to sort of work with the government officials to make sure that we can be part of it, definitely. But whether that’s possible or not in the US, I don’t know,” he said. Johansson added that GlobalEye could also be an interim solution for NATO if its E-3 AWACS planes reach the end of their service life before a replacement capability can be fielded. In November, NATO announced that Northrop Grumman and Airbus would lead an industry team that would study potential options for replacing the E-3, such as fielding a “system of systems” that could incorporate air, space, sea and ground-based sensors, as reported by Janes. However, if a bespoke solution isn’t available in time for the E-3’s 2035 retirement date, “There may need to be a gap filler,” Johansson said. ...... Comments? I'm not at all familiar with the Saab offering, so I can't really comment either way. Also, how does the Bombardier Global 6000 compare to the 737?

Looks a Looks like it may be a bit more likely to happen: https://breakingdefense.com/2021/11/us-air-force-will-buy-e-7-wedgetail-in-2022-boeing-exec-claims/ DUBAI: Boeing expects the US Air Force to announce plans to purchase its E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control plane in 2022, a Boeing defense executive said Saturday, ramping up speculation that the service could include money for the aircraft in its next budget. “I’m very confident that the Air Force is choosing the E-7 to replace its E-3 fleet,” Mike Manazir, Boeing’s vice president for defense business development, said during a news conference ahead of the Dubai Airshow. How confident? “I believe they’ll be announcing sometime in 2022 that they’re going to move forward on the E-7,” Manazir said. “I think we’re going to be able to capitalize with all of our allies and bring that great capability to the United States Air Force.” The Air Force is considering buying the E-7 Wedgetail — a Boeing 737 derivative that has been purchased by Australia and the United Kingdom — to replace its fleet of 31 E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system planes, colloquially known as AWACS. The AWACS planes date back as far as the 1970s, and obsolete parts have driven up sustainment costs while leaving the aircraft with a dismal 40 percent availability. As a result, some senior Air Force officials — including Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly and Air Force Pacific Command head Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach — have come out as strong supporters of replacing AWACS with the Wedgetail as soon as the budget allows. The Air Force’s top two leaders, Secretary Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, have also indicated their interest in the Wedgetail, although neither official has been willing to publicly commit the service to a buy ahead of the fiscal year 2023 budget release early next year. There are signs that the service may be moving closer to an acquisition strategy. In October, the Air Force indicated it would award Boeing a sole-source contract to perform analysis related to the E-7 and determine what additional work the baseline design would need to be able to support US-specific requirements. Boeing continues to be in “close discussions” with the Air Force on a potential Wedgetail sale, Manazir said. While Boeing’s commercial side remains challenged by the fallout of the 737 Max debacle and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the aerospace industry, Manazir said Boeing anticipates a “stable, predictable, strong defense environment.” The company estimates a $2.6 trillion defense outlook over the next decade, even with countries continuing to spend on pandemic response measures, Manazir said. A major portion of that stems from sales to the Middle East. Over the next five years, Boeing projects it could sell as much as $34 billion worth of defense and space products to Gulf customers, spread out among more than 100 sales campaigns. Manazir declined to name specific competitions that comprise that estimated figure or name potential customers. However, he pointed to Boeing’s fighter portfolio, its AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter, KC-46 tanker and small satellite offerings as the major source of interest in the region.

I'm curious about the Ratheon upgrade and it's utility. It seems to me like the Israeli or Turkish upgrades are much more comprehensive - especially the add on armor (how much better is the additional armor anyway?). Aside from the cost factor, what advantages does the Ratheon upgrade have over the Israeli or Turkish models? Regarding 105mm tank destroyers, there are a lot of good options, and not just the MGS - assuming the manufacturing nation isn't afraid or bullied into not selling them.

Are things getting really spicy there or is this just a headline and story meant to be dramatic and sell advertisements? The US Media doesn't seem to be covering this much - if at all. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10197977/Belarusian-troops-tear-Poland-border-fence-target-Polish-troops-lasers-strobe-lights.html The bitter dispute between Warsaw and Minsk dramatically escalated last night when Belarusian troops ripped up the border fence and prevented Polish soldiers from rebuilding it. Hours earlier Belarus forces had destroyed part of the 120 miles of barbed wire fencing that separates the east European states. Migrants were also armed with tear gas by the Belarus military to attack Polish forces once they got across the border. The incursion occurred near the town of Czeremcha which has seen hundreds of migrants pass through the frontier in recent weeks, amid accusations that Belarus is weaponizing the crisis with backing from Moscow. The soldiers were carrying out the orders of their Minsk dictator leader Alexander Lukashenko to help migrants across the border to destabilise the EU. A spokesman for the Polish Border Force told MailOnline: 'Last night near Czeremcha, Belarusian soldiers began to destroy the temporary border by tearing up fence posts. 'Polish forces were blinded by laser beams and strobe light,' they said. 'Also, a group of about 100 migrants were to cross and Poland says Belarusians gave them tear gas, which was used against the Polish forces.' Speaking on Saturday, Lukashenko said that he wanted Russian nuclear-capable Iskander missile systems to deploy them in the south and west of the country. The dictator told the National Defence magazine that he needed the Iskander mobile ballistic missile system, which has a range of up to 500 kilometres and can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. 'I need several divisions in the west and the south, let them stand (there),' he said.

I had to wiki to find out about the Bob Semple tank. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Semple_tank The intention was to disperse the hulls at locations ready in case of a Japanese invasion at which point they would be mounted on tractors for use. The idea was discarded after the tanks attracted public ridicule; however, Bob Semple stood by his design and even stated "I don’t see anyone else coming up with any better ideas."

Well I don't see anyone else coming up with any better ideas...

Considering the threat they face, I have wondered why they don't have better, more modern, tanks. Have they decided that if tanks are involved its already over for them, so they are better off focusing their efforts elsewhere?