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Slater

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  1. Sounds like it has the green light: https://www.yahoo.com/news/britain-finalizes-deal-buy-14-183328014.html
  2. 990 aircraft later... https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/03/13/pentagon-clears-f-35-for-full-rate-production/
  3. This kit was introduced in 1967 (IRC) and has been reissued many times since then. Original kits can still be seen floating around on EBay. How accurate in shape overall is this old kit?
  4. In the 1950's - early 1960's, the US defense establishment prioritized the nuclear enterprise over conventional munitions development. As a result, when Vietnam happened the US was caught rather flat-footed when it came to developing, testing, and producing conventional ordnance. Many weapons were rushed through design and testing and into production before all the problems were sorted. Some worked well, some didn't. In that particular case, the crystal ball proved rather inaccurate.
  5. Supposedly the US Apache fleet is to be re-engined with the new T901's.
  6. Heck, just wait until the RAH-66 Comanche comes on line
  7. Sometimes reality makes a rude appearance. The US Army's abortive "Future Combat System" is one example. The vehicle that was supposed to replace the M1 Abrams tank in this system was rather more lightly armored than the Abrams, the theory being that it would use it's superior situational awareness to survive by avoiding hits rather than absorbing them. Then Iraq and Afghanistan came along and heavy armor was again seen as desirable due to the IED threat.
  8. I don't know - somehow I can't see the UK joining the Black Hawk club. They would probably want a newer design. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/02/27/uk-opens-bidding-for-new-helicopter-to-award-contract-in-2025/
  9. I think the Lancaster was the most visually striking heavy bomber of the war. Hope they find a way to feature this aircraft more in film (if only in CGI).
  10. Maybe Germany is pivoting towards the Pacific?
  11. Armed forces entrance standards? In the US military you'll find that the standards are quite elastic when it comes to meeting enlistment quotas. Over the decades they've been relaxed and then retightened and then relaxed again, etc. depending on funding, end strength authorisations, the world situation, etc.
  12. Looking at the F-15EX, it's primary mission (at present, anyway) is to replace the geriatric F-15C's in ANG and possibly active units. In another role, it's a long-range heavy strike fighter than can carry outsize payloads that can't fit inside F-35 internal bays. Presuming, of course, that the conformal fuel tanks are purchased. The knock against it is that it's a decidedly non-stealthy aircraft. This would become less of an issue with standoff weapons, of course. Or in an Afghanistan type conflict with little or no SAM threat. But those type conflicts are in the past, you know. Not sure how well it would do in the Ukraine - probably not that well in CAS missions. Probably too expensive for the RAF, and the Typhoon and F-35 seem to have things well in hand.
  13. I'm sure that today's video game generation would be particularly adept at piloting drones.
  14. Last year, Germany requested sixty CH-47F Block II aircraft with "customer unique modifications". I would imagine that the UK wouldn't need such an extensive support package (?). https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press Release - Germany 23-26 CN.pdf
  15. The "Extended Range" part of it refers to the addition of a refueling probe, I'm guessing?
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