tflash

Back to the rockets are useless topic: what are you guys loading, S-8KOM or S-8OFP2 ?

Very interesting read, thanks, I should change the subject of the thread :=) Coming back to my original post as an intermezzo, I think the new thing is that a second Hornet takes over the in-flight command of the JSOW. That offers some nice tactical possibilities. We should also understand that while the Super Hornet, building on 4th generation technology, matures at an amazing pace and now sports an incredible long list of combat tested weapons. It also has a very performant data bus and strong networked communications. When the F-35C will start to be operational around 2016, it will not at all be with a complete suite of weapons, most probably with only a couple of A2G weapons. I guess F-35 will only very slowly expand its mission portfolio, look at the F-22. That means an F-35 being able to do most Super Hornet missions is something for the late 2020's. By then Super Hornet will have had a midlife update and certainly have better integrated avionics than today. It will of course never be a stealth aircraft.

JSOW C-1 against ships. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/21/4744000/raytheon-us-navy-begin-jsow-c.html Another string on its bow. At this pace, by the time the F-35C can catch a wire, the Super Hornet will be able to do what? Fly underwater? Refuel an aircraft carrier? Visualize a stealth plane in 3D?

Count me in!

Raptor comes positively in the news with launch of SBD weapons: http://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123314409

Super Hornet at Farnborough ... sorry if it was already posted.

What are the openings for on the fuselage right before the wing?

Probably a bird strike .. pilot is OK. If I find an english language link i'll post it. Dutch language link: http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/regio/limburg/120816_F16_Peer

F-22 at Hickam F-22 at Hickam:

True, but designing from scratch is a lenghty and costly process, just as designing a fighter aircraft. No wonder that the idea comes to mind to build on what you already have. Gives you some commonality in maintenance, spare parts, etc. as a bonus.

And the Rafale is no lame duck either!

Su-27 !

Yes, but maybe the airframe already has a higher performance envelope which is now limited by the FBW to be within the limits of the human pilot?

Cool!

How the Air Force lost an excellent pilot, a billion-dollar plane, its dignity and reputation by putting their heads in the sand and making an ugly attempt to put the blame in a dead man's shoes: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/exclusive-air-force-warned-fatal-22-fighter-flaw/story?id=16957535 Absolutely dishonourable and I am so glad this backfired. To me, the pilots' wife deserves a Medal of Honour for her courage to take on the defense giants and helping to save both the future of the F-22 and maybe other pilot's lives. I'm clearly not with you on this mvsgas :=)

The tests portayed by this video are about DAS detecting a rocket launch from an *unknown* position (of course the testers knew the position), where the processor transfers the location data to the radar, which then tracks it, and helps the DAS reacquire the missile once the heat signature is too low. This is the sensor fusion part. The tracked target is also *identified* as a TBM. Taking into account that the DAS is 360° degree in field view, this means that this also works when the missile is launched somewhere behind the aircraft and outside its radar FOV. The computer will relay the data and once the aircraft turns onto this target, the radar will start acquiring. Honestly; Hajduk, the current F-16 AM MLU's from the BAF are not able to do this. So, yes, this might be a reason why the BAF is looking into the F-35. Maybe we can buy "one" :D

Oh yes really? OK it seems a little unfair that F-35 flies with "labels on". Remember the arcade radar mode in Lockon? Dismissed by many as "unrealistic". Seems no longer the case then. APG-81 + DAS just beat it big time.

Absolutely super!

I guess Launch Override (Alt-W) was everything some people were looking for in this thread. :=) Flaps down one notch is also a very good tip, gives you more manoevrablilty.

Going *very* low with Rafale http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/thunder-at-100-feet-flying-france-s-rafale-superfighter-250710

Some footage of Su-25 in Georgia 2008. Mostly SU-25SM, but at the beginning it seems SU-25T loaded with Kh-25ML (1:40-1:48 ).

Damn, how did I miss this thread? Frankly I am a Frog fan! Why? 1/ I like the classic Russian avionics; 2/ In game, it flies absolutely wonderfull, good job Yo-Yo and crew! 3/ It is fast! Faster than A-10C, that is. It isn't an F-16, but can get you out of harm's way when needed! Advise: don't load the Vikhr! Why? 1/ It ruins your aerodynamics turning the Frog into a Toad! 2/ You are making a shallow dive towards the target, making you very vulnerable Instead, fight the "Russian" way, as seen in video footage of Su-25 in action: 1/ Fly medium/medium high 2/ make a steep dive over the target, in the Stuka / Sturmovik way 3/ unleash the goodies rockets, cluster ammo, slick bombs 4/ climb the hell out of there releasing flares With some practice, you can take out a moving tank with a dumb bomb. Sheer fun imho. Taking out four tanks in a row with guided missiles? Well, get yourself an Apache helo, then it might actually be a realistic scenario. With the Vikhr it is just to dangerous to be done for real.

You can find some info on this page: http://www.349sqn.be/history In fact, 349 sqn was first activated as an RAF squadron in Nigeria. They did not participate in the Battle of Britain, being reactivated at at RAF wittering in 1943, transferring to RAF Digby from where they did action over France. Even though Belgian territory was overrun and occupied, the Belgian Government continued the war from London and Belgian Forces joined the RAF.

^^Go 349! Allez les Belges!

Thanks for the info. Seems indeed RPG's are still a serious threat for this type of tanks, if we look at the latest incidents in Syria.