Erik

UK May Borrow F-18s For Carriers; F-35Bs May Be Scrapped DOD Buzz --By Colin Clark Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 10:22 am Britain’s Conservative government, faced with enormous deficits, may launch its Queen Elizabeth class carriers without airplanes to put on them as it considers early retirement for its Harrier jump jets. The two 65,000 ton carriers are built into the UK’s defense budget, but new airplanes are not. Scrapping the Harriers early, combined with delays to the Joint Strike Fighter short takeoff version, could leave the UK temporarily dependent on the U.S. for F/A-18s and V-22s. That raises the prospect of one country deploying carriers and then relying on another country to supply the airplanes to fly from them. Although the U.S. and some NATO allies have engaged in exercises flying each others planes from each others carriers such heavy reliance on another country raised eyebrows among analysts the idea was reported in British newspapers. “My first thought after reading the article was that [british Defense Minister Liam] Fox was floating a trail balloon, perhaps hoping the British public might object to the British Empire losing its independent ability to project power on its own. I recognize the UK will seldom deploy without others, including the US. However, it did just that during the Falkland campaign and likely does so periodically to show the UK flag globally. In either case a brand new carrier will lose much of its shine if deployed without a complement of capable combat aircraft,” Frank Cevasco, one of Washington’s top international defense consultants and a former senior Pentagon official responsible for international weapons cooperation, said in an email. “Desperate times require desperate measures,” Cevasco wrote, noting that “only the UK voters and their leaders can decide where the red line is.” The London Daily Mail quoted a senior military source saying that the “U.S. Marines have the aircraft. Their aircraft would fly from the British carriers. Or we could borrow some from them.” To show just how sharp the debate must be within the British government and its Ministry of Defense, the Daily Telegraph has reported that Britain will scrap the F-35B and go with the JSF carrier version, known as the F-35C The Queen Elizabeth carriers, the biggest warships ever built by the U.K., are designed to handle traditional carrier aircraft such as Super Hornets and the carrier version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) or STOVL aircraft such as the Harrier and JSF. While the primary design stresses STOVL, the carriers are designed to be retrofitted with arresting cables, according to U.S. defense industry sources. That would enable the F/A-18 E/Fs and their predecessors to take off and land on the British ships. Also, the ships are designed to be fitted with steam catapults and the UK has also continued work on electro-magnetic catapults. An industry source said Super Hornet and their predecessor models should have no trouble taking off from the British ships as the ships are “extremely capable and are extremely big.” A Super Hornet should be able to “take off with a very significant combat load over deck with a zero wind load,” the source said. And the F/A/-18’s high energy nose gear mean it “is also ideally suited for ramp launches because they can absorb” the enormous energy required for a ramp launch. The British plan to use the STOVL F-35 as the main weapon on the carriers so it would seem reasonable to conclude that any plans to use F-/A-18s instead of the F-35s would pose a threat to Lockheed Martin’s long-planned sale of 138 F-35Bs. However, the industry source dismissed the threat to the F-35Bs, saying that any sharing of Super Hornets with the U.K. would be strictly a “capability gap-filler,” and not a replacement for the more advanced, fifth generation fighter. If Britain hopes to supplement the Super Hornets with MV-22 Ospreys, that would be much more difficult, the industry source said. The Marines are relying on MV-22s in Afghanistan and as key aircraft for their Marine Expeditionary Units. The U.S. would be “hard-pressed” to lend some of those planes, according to the source. Arms export restrictions should not be a problem for sharing any of the aircraft, the industry source said, especially for what he described as perhaps America’s staunchest ally. DOD Buzz

Eurofighter offers Typhoon for Polish air force Flight Global -- By Bartosz Glowacki The Eurofighter consortium has made its debut appearance at Poland’s International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, with the Typhoon being promoted as a potential replacement for the nation’s RSK MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-22M4 strike aircraft. With sources suggesting that Poland’s defence ministry plans to upgrade some of its current assets, Eurofighter representatives say: “The price of the [Typhoon] aircraft, its servicing and maintenance costs during the next 30-40 years would be not higher than extending the life of ex-Soviet aircraft until 2028.” A campaign to sell the Typhoon to Warsaw would be supported by EADS and Finmeccanica, which would each offer industrial partnerships and technology transfer. Poland could also access the training and logistics lessons learned by Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, plus export user Austria, sources say. The Polish air force should retire the last of its remaining 48 Su-22s in 2011-12, but there have been suggestions that this could be extended until 2016. Their removal would leave a fighter gap between the service’s current 31 MiG-29s and 48 Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds, as the defence ministry has outlined a need to retain a strength of eight frontline squadrons equipped with 120 modern combat aircraft. A planned acquisition of 16 advanced jet trainer/lead-in fighter trainers with some combat capabilities would only slightly narrow the capability gap. The Typhoon is also being offered to other central European countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. Flight Global

Australia, China inspect fighter jets The Sydney Morning Herald -- September 13, 2010 - 6:29PM Australia and China have played show-and-tell with their jet fighter aircraft ... in a gesture of transparency. Defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said it underlined the Australian Defence Force's good relationship with China's defence force, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) - one not shared by the Americans. He said it was a reciprocal arrangement. When PLA chief of the general staff General Chen Bingde visited Australia last year, he was allowed to inspect one of our jet aircraft. Just what type of aircraft wasn't specified. "When the chief of the air force went up to China, he was given what I would say reciprocal access to a fighter aircraft in the same way as we had provided access to that fighter aircraft for General Chen Bingde," Air Chief Marshal Houston told reporters on Monday. "We thought that was a very positive step and it's typical of the constructive approach we both share." General Chen was in Australia for the annual Australia-China strategic dialogue and another is to be held soon. Air Chief Marshal Houston said one topic of discussion last year was China's military buildup. "We seek to better understand the reason for that buildup and we impress on our Chinese friends the need to be transparent about their intent in terms of that buildup," he said. Air Chief Marshal Houston said engagement was absolutely the way to go and much of Australia's current prosperity stemmed from China's growth. "We would love to see our American friends who at the moment are having some difficulties with military to military relationship with China, re-establish those vital engagement links between the two militaries. That way the US and Chinese militaries could discuss and negotiate issues of common concern, he said. Air Chief Marshal Houston said it was really up to the US and Chinese militaries to get together and the signs at the moment were quite good. "If we can help with the re-establishment of links, fine," he said. The Sydney Morning Herald

In SimGolf you'd play as a course owner, developer, manager. In Greens Keeper you'd play as a more challenging role of support staff. It adds that extra edge needed to make it more alluring.

They all miss the boat when it comes to the ultimate simulation game. I thought of this brilliant idea a couple years ago. Greens Keeper - A golf course greens simulation. - Design your own golf course or play from a list of courses from around the world. - Build your skills and equipment inventory to oversee increasingly challenging courses. - Start with a push mower and with course profits purchase upgrades and new mowers. - Timely reseed courses to keep them green and adjust their water and nutrients. - Plants and shrubs mature, die, and need replanting. - Replace course divots, rake the sand traps, and trim the shrubs. - Build your empire and hire support staff to help you. - Course popularity is determined on the job you do and increases profits. - Deal with unruly golf pros, club house staff, and course managers. - Manage your assets to keep the course facilities and grounds clean. - Stock and manage the water hazards or put on SCUBA gear and dive for lost golf balls. - Manage threats from wildlife, patrons, and rodents destroying your course. - Natural disasters from hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, drought, flooding, and insects. - Drive the ball collector on the driving range or watch the golfers by driving the booze cart. - And much more. This documents my idea and creation and I reserve all intellectual and artists rights. I will accept offers to produce this heralding new simulaton. My rights can be licensed for a standard 10% of the net profit.

8.523

What? What? Thirty-five? Happy Birthday!

Hooah! Thank you for your commitment and service, we're all grateful and proud of you. Here's to the next 40 years of success.

Homes on fire after explosion reported in California SAN BRUNO, Calif. — A massive fire is roaring through a mostly residential neighborhood in the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno. Firefighters from San Bruno and surrounding cities are battling the blaze that started on a hillside and is now consuming homes in a residential neighborhood. Television live shots show at least a dozen homes destroyed, with flames reaching now as high as 50 to 60 feet into the air. A South San Francisco fire official confirmed earlier that firefighters were responding to a fire, but had no other details. Witnesses say a loud explosion was felt just before the flames erupted around 6 p.m. Thursday. The fire is burning in a mostly residential area a few miles from San Francisco International Air, but the Federal Aviation Administration and a spokesman for the airport say they have no record of a plane crash. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. SAN BRUNO, Calif. (AP) — Live television footage is showing flames shooting at least 20 feet high into the air and burning homes in a San Francisco suburb. A South San Francisco fire official confirmed Thursday evening that firefighters were responding to a blaze in San Bruno, but had no other details. Witnesses say a loud explosion was felt just before the flames erupted around 6 p.m. Thursday. The area where the fire is burning is in a mostly residential neighborhood. Chron

Publicity stunt. Next he'll eliminate all non-essential hardware aka the plane. Tickets will now include a one way sling-shot ride to your destination. The upsides include: No worry, no hassle, anytime use bathrooms. ZIP UR-IN. Guaranteed no extra baggage fees. If the ride doesn't kill you that 200 pound suitcase you are carrying will. No long waits at security check points and scanning. Go ahead bring some C4. Got matches? Oh look fireworks! No charge aerobic workout program included. Want more hang-time, flap harder. RyanAir we spare no expense at finding expenses to spare.

Simple. Out of respect for the lives that were lost fighting against such forces. It has been mentioned that this is not about banning or preventing the purchase of a game where you can play from the opposition's POV. This is about not making a mockery of the blood that has been shed by our armed forces. As an American I not only understand but I support the decision 200%. [ Take a moment to remember someone who lost their life for this country. ] [ Pause ] [ Thank you.]

Luckily the chances of a wind turbine squawking an ident have been fairly rare. :Controller: Unknown windmill north east of the field, Fairbanks Approach, IFR cancelled, contact tower on one one two point niner zero, good day.

Absolutely deliberate. You don't put that many hours in a big girl like that and not know when she's not coming back.

Nichts zu danken.

Well my point exactly and I'm not saying I'd like to punch out of a 47 ahead of those big fans but it's a strong argument for a decent evac plan on cargo birds.

Click the Downloads Link in the menu bar above. On the main downloads page toward the top just above the category listings you'll see a button to upload. http://combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&module=post&section=submit&c= Looks like this, link above.

Tragedy. Way too early to speculate on anything but the dubious smoke in the cabin and loss of avionics both forward are not good signs. The high approach leaves you to wonder if they weren't seeing three green down and locked with their tanks full of fuel. Definitely a lot to manage even for two very experienced 47 drivers. Usually when things go wrong in such a redundant platform they're unrecoverable. Makes me always wonder why the SOP for a two crew bird with no passengers wouldn't have been to punch out while putting the aircraft into the Persian Gulf. FC what's Fred's policy? E

Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer Offers Strong Bilateral Economic Benefits Defence Professionals -- 16:14 GMT, September 1, 2010 WARSAW, Poland | Poland’s plans to procure a new advanced jet training system can act as a catalyst for Polish industry in a number of industrial sectors, not just in aerospace and defence, according to Alan Garwood, group business development director at BAE Systems - the world’s second largest defence, security and aerospace company. Speaking ahead of his company’s participation in the MSPO defence exhibition in Kielce (September 6-9) Garwood said that a key requirement for the Polish government should be ensuring that large defence procurements, such as the advanced jet trainer programme, sustain Polish jobs and support the development of skills and high-end technology transfer, through mutually beneficial industrial partnerships. “BAE Systems delivers on its promises and has an unrivalled track record of producing economic and industrial benefits for its customers, in support of defence equipment sales,” Garwood says. “If our Hawk advanced jet trainer is selected to meet Poland’s new generation pilot training requirements, it will present opportunities for Polish industry to become part of a global supplier network, not just of BAE Systems but also its partners such as Rolls-Royce, which already has a significant presence in Poland. “This would give Polish companies access to and involvement in the development of the latest emerging technologies in both the defence and commercial business sectors,” he adds. In neighbouring Czech Republic, where BAE Systems is delivering a 10 year US$1.3 billion industrial partnership programme in support of the Gripen fighter lease, delivery is approaching 80% of requirement, some 2 years ahead of plan. “Our approach has been to provide Czech companies with access to inward investment, export promotion, research and development and manufacturing opportunities, linked to the global footprint of BAE Systems and its supplier base,” states Garwood. BAE Systems will be using its participation in MSPO Kielce to highlight its capabilities in the land systems, security and aerospace sectors, with a particular focus on its ability to meet Poland’s stated need for a new fast jet pilot training system. The company’s Hawk advanced jet trainer is already training frontline pilots to fly the world’s most advanced and capable combat aircraft, including F16 Block 50/60, F18 Super Hornet, F35, Su30, Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon. Air powers ranging from Australia to the United States, with 20 others in between, choose Hawk to meet their lead-in fighter trainer requirements. Last month, India committed to buying a further 57 Hawk advanced jet trainers, in addition to the 66 already in manufacture. These aircraft, to be built in India through a partnership with local aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics, will be used to train Navy and Air Force pilots in preparation for flying the Su30 and India’s next generation fighter aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen NG, F18 Super Hornet and a number of other combat aircraft are currently being evaluated by the Indian MoD. The advanced training systems built into today’s new generation Hawk jet trainers enable one aircraft to carry out a number of tasks, for which its rivals may need two or more aircraft. “Today’s Hawk advanced jet trainer will be training some of the world’s most capable frontline pilots for decades to come. It builds on a pedigree of success, established by previous generations of this highly successful platform which, although entirely different to today’s aircraft, share the same name,” comments Garwood. “For Poland, we will offer a low risk solution based on the aircraft selected by the UK to train its frontline F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon pilots. This will provide a seamless entry into service and delivery of the required training capability, from day one.” Defence Professionals