+Jimbib 719 Posted May 7, 2009 Interesting indeed.... http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB...asc&start=0 http://www.tacticalairsupport.com/HOME.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MAKO69 186 Posted May 7, 2009 (edited) Interesting indeed.... http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB...asc&start=0 http://www.tacticalairsupport.com/HOME.html So how many private Training Airforces in the US? ATAC,ATSI and AIRTAC any others? Blackwater has a turboprop FAC plane. Edited May 8, 2009 by MAKO69 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eraser_tr 29 Posted May 7, 2009 Interesting idea...contract out some of the aggressor flying to a company buying aircraft our likely oponents will be flying, so we can see just how an F-22 or F-35 will fare against a real flanker in A2A combat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted May 7, 2009 Holy crap, I know one of the guys who's running the company operating them...we used to fly together back in the day. Hmmmm...might have to drop by and say howdy... FC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,554 Posted May 7, 2009 May I ask you for taking some pics of the refuelprobe? :-) couldn`t find a good pic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ST0RM 145 Posted May 7, 2009 ATSI hasn't done much Adversary work for quite some time. They lost a jet in 2003 and since then, has sold off some jets to BAE, and leased some to ATAC and another French company. As of late, they are on contract with Boeing flying chase for the KC-767 program. This Flanker has some important interests with companies other than the US military. It will be used for some test jobs, which did help it get here quickly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Typhoid 231 Posted May 7, 2009 Holy crap, I know one of the guys who's running the company operating them...we used to fly together back in the day. Hmmmm...might have to drop by and say howdy... FC and just happen to drop your business card and resumes on the table.............. sounds like an interesting group. I noticed that they have been awarded some real contracts and are a prime on a current contract vehicle. (the project manager in me coming out) That's crucial. These guys are real. having said that..... They cannot actually do a real threat presentation given the number of aircraft available (5). Meaning they cannot take the place of an agressor squadron that can replicate flight and element tactics. yet.......... cool employment opportunity. Wonder if they need any controllers.............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Dave 2,319 Posted May 7, 2009 Wonder if they need any controllers.............. Was just thinking the same thing.....maybe 2 controllers.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted May 7, 2009 They cannot actually do a real threat presentation given the number of aircraft available (5). Meaning they cannot take the place of an agressor squadron that can replicate flight and element tactics. yet.......... I was thinking the same thing. Flags are fairly large exercises involving a lot of aircraft. 5 aircraft (assuming you put up 4 with 1 spare) isn't really a good representation of a large scale engagement, including simulated IADS, etc. The low numbers would be more appropriate for 1V1, 2V1, test type engagements which would be good in limited tactics development. Hmmm...part time Flanker guy... FC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DWCAce 19 Posted May 7, 2009 I wonder if they need a fueler/deicer/trainer/line guy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverbolt 104 Posted May 7, 2009 I wonder if they need a fanboy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,875 Posted May 7, 2009 Very interesting - gotta respect the Su-27! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MAKO69 186 Posted May 8, 2009 (edited) New Zealand's A-4Ks were to bought up by either ATAC or ATSI or both , but the US State Department has to approve. With the Sale of the Flankers that should not be a problem. Edited May 8, 2009 by MAKO69 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ST0RM 145 Posted May 8, 2009 (edited) New Zealand's A-4Ks were to bought up by either ATAC or ATSI or both , but the US State Department has to approve. With the Sale of the Flankers that should not be a problem. The Kiwi Scooters are still languishing under wraps at RNZAF Woodbourne. According to some sources, it is doubtful the airframes would be good for anything beyond spare parts. Edited May 8, 2009 by ST0RM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MAKO69 186 Posted May 8, 2009 I have read about the storage it's to bad their Labor Govt. loves wasting money. The storage and sale of the A-4 Ks was to produce some 100+ million. If the planes are only good for parts they may be able to get some money , but not what they wanted to get. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyTodd41 133 Posted May 13, 2009 I wonder if they'll need someone work on chaff/flare, EWS, ECM, Radar, VHF, UHF....oh screw it. DO YOU GUYS NEED ELECTRONICS GEEKS I LOVE FLANKERS SO MUCH! :phew: Glad I got that out of my system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
future_tuskegee_airman 13 Posted May 13, 2009 I would pay any amount of money to see those beautiful birds fly! Now it joins the Mig-29UB already in the US under restoration to fly!! Goooo next generation Red Stars!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Jarhead1 27 Posted May 13, 2009 Hell, I wonder if they need a close up security person for them????? LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SayethWhaaaa 245 Posted May 14, 2009 If the planes are only good for parts they may be able to get some money , but not what they wanted to get. It's not that, they're in tip top condition. The US government disapproved the sale because they were uncomfortable with the idea of a private company having advanced Skyhawks with PGM capability. For the most part, they're still in excellent condition (as per the conditions of the aborted sale). They should still be in service! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MAKO69 186 Posted May 14, 2009 I'll bet they may make the occasional visit to airshows in their A.O. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Viggen 523 Posted May 14, 2009 I wonder if they need any younger, teenage, canidates for their next generation of pilots... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,875 Posted May 14, 2009 IS this related? from http://www.defencetalk.com/us-buys-su-27-f...training-18795/ US buys Su-27 fighters from Ukraine for ‘aggressor’ training MOSCOW: The United States has bought two Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft to help train U.S. air force pilots to cope with the growing number of 4th-generation Russian aircraft sold around the world, a U.S. online magazine said. The two aircraft have been bought from a private Ukrainian company by the Reno-based Tac Air, which provides training and test support for the military. The fighter jets will also be used to test the effectiveness of new U.S. radars and electronic warfare equipment, the Strategy Page reported. The 33-ton Su-27 is similar to the U.S. F-15, but costs some 30% less, the source said. Su-27 fighter jets have been produced in Russia since 1982. They are still widely used in the Russian Air Force and are gradually undergoing maintenance repairs to extend their service life. The Su-27 Flanker and its variant, the Su-30 Flanker C, account for a major share of Russia's arms exports. In the past, Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker sold Su-27 and Su-30 fighters to China, India, Malaysia, Venezuela and Algeria. In 2007, Sukhoi exported 50 of these aircraft, accounting for 50% of Rosoboronexport's export revenues. According to U.S. sources, the two aircraft, which have been acquired in a commercial variant, stripped of weaponry, are being overhauled and modified by the U.S. Pride Air company. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ST0RM 145 Posted May 14, 2009 Interesting that the reporter has spun the story to sound like the Flankers were purchased by the US Government directly. The military will benefit from them, sure, but being outright purchased like the Moldovan Fulcrums is something else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted May 14, 2009 "A commercial variant"??? Does this imply you can now buy them like a bizjet or something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
