willedoo

It is an interesting concept. A bit similar to Chinese troops in the Korean war using numbers to overwhelm, or the blitzkrieg senario. I can see the parallel with what some members here have been saying about F-35's with all their technology being overwhelmed by sheer numbers of 4th generation fighters within visual range. As with any aircraft, when they expend their weapons, the only alternative is to bug out with either maneuverability or speed. A lot of people are saying the F-35 doesn't have either. I'd like to think we'd never see a major confrontation like that again, but it's always good to sit in the old armchair and theorise. It's looking more like we'll just get involved in proxy wars into the future, but who knows.

Not sure if this is the one I read about. This is a microwave based mobile cannon. https://www.rt.com/news/267187-shf-cannon-russia-drones/

Looks like things are warming up. Today the Russians launched 26 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea fleet. http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151007/1028149460/russian-navy-attack-syria.html And this might be a game changer. Iraq is considering inviting the Russians to start air operations against IS on Iraqi soil. That will get Obomber's ears wiggling. https://www.rt.com/news/317853-iraq-russia-airstrikes-isis/ Donald Trump has said they should leave it to the Russians to do the job, so the question is, will it very soon be time to bring our Hornets home. It's hard to see the two sides co-operating successfully in Iraq. That would be embarrassing for the US. What is already embarrassing is that Russia has achieved in a week similar results as our coalition's achieved in a year. Someone's jerking our chain.

Some footage of an Su-24 mission in Syria with a ventral mounted GoPro. http://sputniknews.com/videoclub/20151006/1028107516/syria-airstrike-footage.html Also some footage of aircraft returning fom missions. First up is Su-34 '25 Red' returning with one bomb remaining on the port engine nacelle, same as the still photo posted above of '22 Red' doing the same. Also that same PR pilot makes an appearance in a Su-25. He's everywhere, that man. Does make you wonder if he's even a pilot. http://sputniknews.com/multimedia/20151005/1028061807/russian-air-strike-isil-syria.html

I guess you wouldn't want to see one in your rear vision mirror.

The article I read would be lost by now, probably about a month ago. But I'd guess that's what they would have been talking about. I remember reading about the US experimenting with a similar thing a few years back, but for ground based defence eg; base perimeters. It would be interesting to see if that type of technology would work for air defence.

I don't personally try to be a F-35 basher, but jeez, there's a lot of criticism of them - probably more than any other fighter development programme that I can remember. In the face of the criticism, the developers appear to continually come up with more excuses than a schoolboy caught masturbating. It's starting to look like the old carrot on the stick. They talk about dates for IOC, but when will it actually be combat ready. The T-50 Sukhoi will have it's first operational deliveries next year, and possibly combat ready by 2018. And in a fraction of the time of the F-35 saga. If Boris can do it, why can't we? Something's gone wrong.

Everything DrZoos is saying will come true, I'd imagine, with air to air battle. Even getting away from air to air, the ground to air missile technology is getting quite serious. Take the new Russian S-350 for example. The day is fast approaching where first world powers cannot take out the air defences of lesser nations. The only plan they seem to have these days is an almost religious belief in stealth capabilities. Stealth is not as great as they're trying to tell us, in my opinion. Future technology might change things very quickly in the near future. It will be interesting to see how some things the Russians are bragging about will turn out in reality. One of their latest research projects is the old force field caper. They claim a super high frequency microwave shield will destroy any missile or aircraft in a 10klm radius. Whether it will work or not is another question. Who know, it might fry everyone's brains within that radius.

The Su-34 is quite a beast. Designed to replace the Su-25 as a ground attack/bomber platform with fighter capabilities if needed. Recently, I watched a promotional video with a simulated dogfight between a Su-34 and it's parent, the Su-27. The Su-34 won, but the pilots said that in a real life situation, it would be hard for an Su-34 to beat the Su-27/30. They're very well designed with a lot of the airframe and aerodynamic characteristics taken from the Su-27. Side by side seating has all instruments (glass cockpit) duplicated for both pilot and co-pilot. The essential flight instruments are also present in analogue instruments for backup. It's also designed for crew comfort on long flights. You can stand up inside, there's a galley to make a coffee, and a toilet as well. There's also space for one crewman to lie down and have a nap. I haven't seen any photos aft of the seating position, but hopefully some will show up soon. I think the Su-34 will be a long term big thing. Cheers, Willie.

They seem to put all their faith in nobody being able to see the F-35. Stealth or not, missiles to this day still don't have a great record for reliability. Hypothetically, if the F-35 has a couple drop away, another couple go crazy and the rest miss, the only option is to run. If the opposition has radar technology to pick up a decent signature, then it's a bad time to be in an aircraft that is 100 kts slower.

I'd agree there, live chicken sounds like a good option. Reminds me of a time many years ago in Hall's Creek, WA. We had a Cessna 206 and the boss was talking for days about how the five of us with all our bags and swags would pile in and fly home. When the day came, all the gear was crammed in the back, the 18 stone pilot got in with his 20 stone dad beside him. Next row back was the 17 stone mechanic and another 14 stone bloke. When I squeezed my 12 stone in the back, the plane tipped backwards and sat on it's rear. So then I got out with my gear and someone else's gear and volunteered to take the bus home. Later on, the pilot told me they only just cleared the terrestial obstacles taking off from Tennant Creek, even without myself and the extra gear, due to the heat. I arrived home about five days later very much alive. Cheers, Willie.

They're just standard propaganda photos, mostly from an embedded journalist. The Su-25 pilot in the above post was also photographed outside a Su-30SM, so they must have used him for a few different photo ops while he had his kit on. Same pilot checking over an Su-34. He gets around, this bloke. Ground crew loading the KH-25ML laser guided missile on an Su-24. Same with a good view of the 3,000 litre drop tank attached. Su-30SM armed. Even though they have two types of state of the art aircraft operating out of Latakia, word has it that the most effective weapon in the operation is the Su-25SM's. Closest thing to a Warthog, I suppose. The SM upgrade on the Su-25 has a glass cockpit, head up display, and all the computery and electronics for the latest missiles. Also has revamped engines with anti-surge features giving greater resistance to ingested weapon launch gases. On the outside they still look like the same old banger. The important stuff: - mobile kitchens. Mobile saunas.

Having said that, FT, I bet he regrets not being on the panel for such an historic game.

It's a humourless world we live in these days. It seems like if you're famous, you just can't get full as a boot and have a good time anymore. What a legend. At least he kept his trousers on.

Some more photos from Latakia: Su-34 '22 Red' returning from a mission with one missile remaining under the port nacelle. Another view of the same aircraft. Line up of Su-25 Frogfoots with an Iluyshin Il-76 in the background. Ground crew working on a Su-24M Fencer.

Now that you point it out Marty, it's quite a resemblance. Maybe he heard about the free food and the mobile sauna trucks.

Some photos from Khmeimim airbase at Latakia, Syria. The airstrip is capable of landing the An-124 and has bays for more than 50 aircraft. The Russian aircraft operating from the base at present are the Su-24M and Su-34 bombers, Su-25 ground attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters, Mi-24 gunship helicopters and Mi-8 support choppers. The shorts, trousers and tunics almost look pink compared to the old Afghan sand colour gear. The Su-30SM's appear to be carrying five air to air but also have hard points fitted to the nacelles. Su-25 Frogfoot pilot with a ZSh-7AP helmet, KM-34D Series 2 mask, IPS-72 harness and NAZ-IR survival vest. He appears to be only armed with the service pistol unlike the Russian Afghanistan pilots who often flew with longarms as well.

Here's an interesting bit of news video showing some of the operations at the Russian air base in Latakia, Syria. There's a few good shots of the Su-34's. http://www.rt.com/news/317335-rt-exclusive-latakia-airbase/

I wonder if that's true about the boat/ship thing. The Yanks call their carriers boats, but only in a casual manner as in 'heading back to the boat'. I always thought ship was a generic term, ie: a fleet of ships which might consist of destroyers, frigates etc. I guess in the old RN days, they were all ships, but individually designated by sail/mast configuration eg: sloop, ketch. bark, fully rigged ship etc.. When subs were first built, someone must have decided they weren't a ship, and the only other suitable name was boat. Cheers, Willie.

Abandoned Mirage-111 at Châteaudun Air Base.

Looks good, Robbo. It seems like it's on the market and not just a concept. Would be good if they knocked a zero off the price. Cheers, Willie.

I think that's the same one that was in Sydney for a few years. Cheers, Willie.

Phil, thankfully that's getting less likely by the day. The coalition is finally starting to figure out that doing so would be handing IS the keys to Damascus. After a little bit of Russian sabre rattling over the last couple of weeks spooked the horses, the US and Russia are co-ordinating on a military level again, as well as FM/ Secretary of State level regarding Syria. Things are looking a bit more positive. Hopefully now, they can concentrate on the main game. Cheers, Willie.

Not exactly abandoned, but some good photos and video of Connie Edwards' barn full of warbirds: http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2015/09/edwards-warbirds-texas-barn-spitfire-messerschmitt-battle-of-britain/