USAF, What should the focus on?

[Crown]

Space tech. Okay so I want to ensure employment for myself, sue me!

[Typhonis 1]

more AC-130s

[Sea Skimmer]

more AC-130s

Clearly a AC-225, a gunship conversion of the world's largest plane the An-225, would be far more effective, if a little fast. Then there always the AB-36 option..

[weemadando]

You do know that I'm talking about the Valkyries from Macross. right?

Bah! Brood War Valkyries forever! :P

*gasp*! You heretic!! Battroid mode, GERWALK mode forever, \/\/00t, \/\/00t !!

GERWALK!!!!

[phongn]

I hear the Russians are moving away from R-77 development - those funky control surfaces aren't living up to expectations. IIRC, they're continuing development in the R-27 series.

What I hear is that the R-77 production is being delayed in favor of an improved and revised version, while training rounds and equipment are being delivered to those nations which signed contracts, and to the Russian airforce.

Ahh.

I also read a while back that the next R-27's may have the R-77's seeker, making them AMRAAM lights basically.

Doesn't R-27 already outrange AMRAAM? I know it was apparently superior to AIM-7 (hard not to be).

[Nathan F]

more AC-130s

yes, definitely. They have proven their worth in every single conflict that has taken place that the US has participated in since they were first used in the early seventies. Everywhere from Panama to the Gulf to Afghanistan. They are able to lay alot of lead and 105mm shells in an exact area in a short period of time. With constant avionics updates coming online, these aircraft are well worth the money we spend on them. And the C-130 airframe is a VERY tough bird. It has the ability to operate from short rough fields and are hard to shoot down simply because of their durability. And once the AC starts shooting, usually there is nothing left to shoot back.

[TrailerParkJawa]

AC-130's are badass. The only caveat is they need to make sure the SAM threat is taken care of. ( Fighters too, but thats obvious )

Sadly, we lost an AC-130 in the Gulf War with all aboard.

[Nathan F]

Hmm, i hadnt heard about that. But, all in all, thats not all that bad. One plane lost in how many dozens of operations?

[TrailerParkJawa]

The loss rate was very low in Desert Storm. The USAF did a good job, I was just pointing out that the AC-130's need to be used very carefully.

They are great weapons for terrorizing isolated pockets of ground troops.

I found a personal tribute to the lost AC-130. Check it out.

http://www.specialoperations.com/Memorial/spirit.html

[Sea Skimmer]

Hmm, i hadnt heard about that. But, all in all, thats not all that bad. One plane lost in how many dozens of operations?

A single AC-130 was brought down by a MANPADS SAM, likely SA-7. For the minigun's and to an extent to 40mm weapons to be effective the AC-130 must fly within the envelope of MANPADS and most triple A.

The AC-130 in question had been flying a night mission during the battle for Kafji but did not depart as the sun rose because the situation was looking very bad. Less then 5 minutes later it was hit.

Several where also lost in Nam to MANPADS during The North's 1972 offensive. This led to an order to fly at least 15,000 feet and used only the 40mm and 105 howitzers.

[spongyblue]

Ac-130's kick ass. I see those fuckers everyday, and work about 1000 yards from them. Stareing down a howitzer barrel is pretty cool

[Nathan F]

You work on Hurlburt Field or at Eglin? They are both cool places. Hehe, if you work for the AF, and you like fishing, go charter the fishing boat out of Eglin AFB. For AF employees, it is 40 bucks for a day long guided deep sea fishing trip. Which is an absolutely Great deal.

[Wicked Pilot]

I hear Eglin's getting the first F-22s. Then they'll have the world's most advanced fighter plane, and the world's largets refridgerator.

[Nathan F]

I hear Eglin's getting the first F-22s. Then they'll have the world's most advanced fighter plane, and the world's largets refridgerator.

Lol, quite true. It is very possible that Eglin will get the first squadron of F-22s. Currently they have a detachment of F-15s at the base, and they have extensive testing facilities, so it would seem that they would be a logical choice for the first F-22s.