Stop talking yourself down you PTO encyclopaedia

UCAVs/CCAs demonstrate promise but imagination must be tempered by operational analysis. In this short piece, I argue uncrewed systems should presently not be pursued as an immediate substitute for crewed fighters but developed as core combat air enablers.
www.calibredefence.co.uk/luftwaffe-cc...

I imagine the data in my new documentary could surprise a few people. Opportunity cost of long-range fires versus traditional airpower in the context of WW2.👇

No background info if this was an ambush at known helicopter route or chance event. Window of opportunity is tiny even with proper positioning.
External fuel tank seen mounted on left pylon: likely contributed to the Ka-52 fate. Impressive reaction times + control by FPV operator.

I have data on Lw. They did not calculate flight hours but flights, at least until reaching operational conversion units. From then on, very murky.

Cadia Stands!

(Sorry aber das muss)

Helicopters Remain a Vital Part of the Joint-Force The helicopter has been criticised following extraordinary Russian losses in Ukraine, however the benefits of vertical lift are still obvious within the force mix.

'Tactical losses to helicopters are therefore predominately symbolic of Russian strategic and operational failures' writes @milavhis.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.

a picture of an alien with the words " it 's a trap " on the bottom ALT: a picture of an alien with the words " it 's a trap " on the bottom

:)

End result looks good though ;)

They are not all like this…

Oh the pain

Great kit, most of it fits together very nicely. I still have mine from many years ago, was one of the best kits to build.

Before this even started, there was no questioning of US military overmatch vs Venezuela. Details on resistance, US suppression of defences & helicopter operation would be interesting nevertheless. Permits evaluation of how indicative this was of US capabilities & its signalling value.

Shape (bulge and refuelling probe) consistent with Chinooks flown by Special Operations units like the 160th SOAR(A).

Rocket strike may suggest presence of other types as well.

Footage from helicopters over Venezuela show what appear to be CH-47 Chinooks and MH-60 Black Hawks. Given available pictures, shapes are overall consistent with versions also flown by special operations units.

There simply is no other choice

Germany may still buy additional F-35s

Apples Oranges

Beginning to see this as a feature of the Franco-German relationship, not a bug…🧐

Entscheidung zum weiteren Vorgehen bei FCAS auf unbestimmte Zeit verschoben Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius hatte angekündigt, bis Jahresende eine Lösung bei dem ins Schlingern geratenen Rüstungsprojekt für ein Future Combat Air System (FCAS) finden zu wollen.

After some delay, it is now confirmed that the decision whether to continue 🇫🇷🇩🇪FCAS or not is delayed.

“Contrary to the original plan, a final decision on the continuation of the FCAS project has not yet been made at the end of the year.”

www.hartpunkt.de/entscheidung...

Happening today 👇

Germany sticks to year-end deadline for FCAS warplane decision Germany still aims to take a decision on the future of the Franco-German fighter jet FCAS, or SCAF, by the end of the year, its defence minister said on Friday, with his French counterpart saying ther...

Since a decision is anticipated soon on the future of 🇩🇪🇫🇷🇪🇸FCAS (see below), this might be a soft launch on an existing decision or a gamble from the German side to pressure France.

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Noteworthy words from Union rep at Airbus:
"...German politicians and industry have made concessions on FCAS...Dassault has been trying to defame us, push us back and work against us..." Jurgen Kerner, Deputy Chairman of IG Metall, & Thomas Pretzl, Union Chairman at Airbus

FCAS: IG Metall bricht mit Dassault und will zwei Kampfjets Wenige Tage vor der in der kommenden Woche erwarteten Entscheidung zum weiteren Vorgehen beim kriselnden französisch-deutsch-spanischen Future Combat Air

IGMetall (🇩🇪 largest Union) announced they no longer trust/are willing to work with Dassault. Demand two separate NGFs. Given the intricacies of 🇩🇪 industry, IGMetall has significant linkages with companies. A soft launch for the a decision coming soon?
www.hartpunkt.de/fcas-ig-meta...

That’s Sunday 1800/1900 UK/Continental Europe for those living in the civilised world and not…you know….Canada

Why Luftwaffe Strategic Bombers Never Happened YouTube video by Military Aviation History

Here's the German part of the discussion on four-engine bombers. I smile, nod, ask an occasional question, and then absolutely rock the outro while @milavhis.bsky.social lays the info down.
youtu.be/dpNsIDn6KhE?...

Here's part 1 of a chat that Chris and I originally envisioned as a quick'n'easy one. Then we talked for an hour each. For my part, I used this common internet question as a Trojan horse of sorts to explore elements that aren't discussed as often as dry technical details of the aircraft themselves.

Thanks Eugen. All the praise goes to Justin on this one of course.