tflash

No, but they still didn't pinpoint the cause: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-201204061048usnewsusnwr201204050405f22apr06,0,5557700.story It doesn't mean the aircraft isn't capable of doing its job: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/22-fighter-ready-war-mystery-problem-air-force/story?id=16031774

Never read a sentence as devoid of meaning as this one: “What we are trying to do is make sure that we got the actual design of the hook is optimized so that it in fact repeatedly picks up the wire as long the airplane puts itself in position to do that,” he said. So, they are trying to fix the problem. I would have guessed so. Many in the airspace industry also try to design an aircraft so that it flies, (at least repeatedly, and of course when the pilot puts the plane in a position to do so). And then there are those that try to design a gun so that it shoots. Lockheed-Martins truly amazing advances in aviation engineering really keep my heartbeat up!

Nice video!

^^highly interesting!!!

Russian AF acquisition plans: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2012-03-30/russian-commander-explains-air-force-acquisition-plan

4500 F-16's delivered:

I'm still puzzled by the AI performance in FC2, which makes it very challenging indeed! See the mission and tracks below. In the first, I make the mistake to fly directly into the bandit; the Mig-29A dodges all my missiles easily, except the R-73, at that moment we kill eachother. In the second, I do it smarter and get on his tail, even then I waste 3 R-27ER (with 2 even shot in the no-escape zone), the 4th hits him but he isn't really damaged, I have to finish him off with R-27ET. A whole lot of missiles to kill a Mig-29A with the wildly superior Su-27. Almost reminding of Ethiopia-Eritrea war! FT Su-27 Migs solo.miz Su27 v Mig-29A 1.trk Su27 v Mig-29A 2.trk

Viper's track works for me; comparing Frostie's and Vipers tracks to the way I fly I notice two major differences: I do not manoevre the aircraft agressively enough and tend to fly it as an airliner; Second, I stay high while in the end game you guys get lower.

Damn, of course, now that I want to record a track I kill him spot on; but anyhow, I used the same tactics and mostly fail so maybe you can say what is bad about it; I'll look into your track in the mean time! Su-27 A2A FA-18A solo.trk

I'm back into A2A after a very long time of mud moving with Su-25T, A-10C and Ka-50. Rediscovering the maginificent Su-27, at last an aircraft with power & range, that flies above the clouds where the weather is mostly enjoyable. Big problem however: something seems to have changed between FC1 and FC2: I do not manage to win a single engagement against AI, where in the past that was a piece of cake. In the attached mission, I just fly 1 to 1 against one FA-18A Hornet. For some reason all my missiles always miss, whether it is R-27ER, R-27ET or R-73. The Hornet dodges all, then shoots me down with AIM-9M. I know you guys mostly play online, but has anyone a tip how to tackle the all-knowing AI aircraft? FT Su-27 A2A FA-18 solo.miz

OK, I see what you mean: not so straightforward for the pilot, indeed, digital avionics are all about making life easier.

Well, compared to the millions of lines of code in today's avionics, I would say even the Su-27 has straightforward avionics?

Well if "flight" is what DCS brings to simulation, than Su-27 should be very high on the list indeed. I also like the straightforward avionics, which should be very nice to model in detail in DCS.

^^nice, great picture!

Something else: UK might revert to F-35B instead of F-35C. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/mar/18/u-turn-aircraft-carriers-costs

Emmer, you keep posting X-35 images ... not very relevant anymore to F-35. The doors have completely changed.

^^ +1

I always had much fun with the Strike Fighters series, in this latest installment you fly the Tomcat. I wouldn't call it arcade, but it is a "light" sim indeed. It's more about gameplay and modding than about simulation accuracy.

Today first flight at Eglin: http://www.pnj.com/article/20120306/NEWS12/120306002/Eglin-s-first-F-35-sortie-takes-off-this-morning?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Super! Go Belgian Air Component!

As I recall the arguments that I have read in the press about the carrier issue, it boils down to this: - The F-35C has more payload and range than F-35B - weapon bays are larger, offering more weapon integration options - It could also be used by RAF as a long range strike aircraft, flying from land bases - It can takeoff and land on the Charles the Gaulle using cat & trap - adapting the Britisch carrier to cat & trap would allow Rafales to take-off and land from it. Hence Britain and France would operate two carriers together, and always have one available while one is in overhaul - F-35C is supposed to cost less than F-35B - F-35B can already land/takeoff on any carrier, also on WASP class carrier, maybe also on Mistral, and could do the same on Spanish and Italian vessels - has much more basing options, closer to the conflict - will be fielded much sooner than F-35C: this would mean less time having a carrier without planes - costly refit of carrier to cat & trap is not necessary and saves money - cat & trap operations are difficult and require substantial training. This would be detrimental to RAF usage - F-35B take-off and landing is supposed to be revolutionary simple compared to Harrier - cooperation with US is still possible, even on more carriers.

The UK MoD has a long history, not to say an impressive pedigree in botching up defense projects, but the carrier saga beats it all. I really wish we could zap to 2020 just to see on what ship which aircraft will be landing. :=)

Finally some good news: Eglin will start flying the jets!!! I guess F-35 is becoming a reality at last! http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/02/29/national/a011600S11.DTL

Very unnerving that they can't pinpoint the exact cause; see this only one day older post: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/02/28/f-22-raptor-smoking-gun-not-found/ Shows just how complex these planes have become. Strangely enough, to me it adds credibility to LM's claim they are truly new generation fighters: breaking new ground means that you meet again the unexpected. I'm glad they are reviewing Jeff Haney's case. Absolutely beyond decency to blame the pilot when so much mystery is still unsolved.

Super! Very nice!