USAF speeds up development of 6th gen fighter...

via Investors.com

Lockheed Martin's (LMT) F-35, a so-called fifth-generation fighter, hasn't hit full rate production yet, but the Air Force is already accelerating the development of a sixth generation fighter as China ramps up its military.

 The service is investing nearly $10 billion in the platform over the next five years, $2.7 billion more than previously planned, for the Next Generation Air Dominance system, which will likely include a fighter to replace current fifth generation platforms like the F-35 and Lockheed's F-22.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told reporters at a conference in Orlando Thursday that the system will have a "renewed emphasis" on electronic warfare, according to Aviation Week.

Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division told IBD over the summer that a sixth-gen fighter would likely feature improved stealth as radar capabilities expand across the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as more autonomy, hypersonic technology and defensive laser systems.

Story here. 

Always follow the money.  Never listen to what they're saying but follow the money.

The Marine Corps is prioritizing amphibious combat vehicles this year?  Not according to the budget.

In that same vein the USAF has full confidence in the F-35?  Not according to the budget!

Not only are they not buying the full complement to push down the cost curve, not only are they not going to upgrade all the aircraft that they have in service now (which are suppose to be combat capable) but they're also investing MORE money in a next gen system.

That goes against everything we've been told about the F-35.

As far as what the 6th gen will be that's a different kettle of fish.  Some F-35 fanboys have floated the trial balloon (cause this ain't the first time we've heard that they're speeding up the 6th gen development) that the next fighter will be an  upgraded F-35.

Well with the features that the SecAF laid out we can say with almost certainty that won't be the case.

The F-35 already has cooling issues, lacks range and has little in the way of being improvable for increased stealth and additional systems.

You laugh at the SU-57 going to Syria?

That was a shot across the bow.

The Russians are telling us the same thing that the Chinese have.

They've closed the gap.  The advantage is gone.  If they meet us on the field of battle there will be no advantage for US forces.

SU-57 used for the first time in combat. Conducted heavy raid...

Thanks to Drinas for the link!

#Syria Unconfirmed Report Minutes Ago by the Militant Idlib governorate radio :
“New russian fighters "Su-57" used for the first time in the skies of S. Idlib CS, with heavy airstrike on the villages of N. Hama CS “

— Ivan Sidorenko (@IvanSidorenko1) February 23, 2018

Beyond interesting.

This is more than a publicity stunt.  We've seen aircraft downed so this qualifies as a real world scenario.

The Russian jet which started production after the F-35 has been bloodied first.

Congrats Russia.  

Bomb damage assessments, weapons used etc...would be appreciated!

Su-57 fighter jets in Syria poses no threat to the US-led coalition’s military operations

via Sputnik.

 The deployment of Russian Su-57 fighter jets in Syria poses no threat to the US-led coalition’s military operations and the United States will continue to deconflict operations with Russia as usual, US Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon told reporters.

"We do not consider these [Su-57] jets to be a threat to our operations in Syria, and will continue to deconflict operations as necessary," Pahon said on Thursday.

Story here. 

Well that basically confirms it.

The SU-57 is in Syria and the F-35 ain't. 

Make of that what you will.

Open Comment Post....Feb 23, 2018

2nd Tanks doing work on the range @ Ft Stewart...pics by by Cpl. Aaron Henson

A deputy WAS IN THE SCHOOL during the time of the Florida shooting!

https://tacticalsquad.tumblr.com/post/171183498605/thinksquad-officer-scot-peterson-didnt-engage

 

This same sheriff has the audacity to say that AR's should be banned.  I assume that he thinks his deputies will protect the public.

WELL ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES WAS IN THE SCHOOL!  That deputy failed to engage the suspect.


Side note.  This one is for law enforcement in my ranks.  What percentage of officers that you work with would you classify as being "cowardly"?  How many would do their best to avoid an encounter.  Let's say they were doing traffic and they got notified that the plate they just ran was armed and dangerous.  How many would blow it off and say that they ran it by mistake?  If that scenario isn't possible I hope you get the gist of what I'm trying to ask.

1st and 2nd Amendment in perfect harmony!

The war in Syria has brought out the criminal element...in uniform that is...

Thanks to Drinas for the link!

We haven't talked much about it but the barbarity that the people of Syria, and Iraq are going/have gone thru because of the fighting is off the scales.

The weird thing?

The people directing all this carnage don't seem to care either.  The video is graphic and I'll put it in the comments section but if you choose to watch it, it educates.

Some farmer was out on his tractor and a group of gunmen came up to him, stole his tractor and executed him.

Pretty horrific but I'm sure just part of the daily rhythm of the place now.

There is a special place in hell for people that are pushing this thing.  We need to punch out.  This has long ago become NOT worth it.  Not for us or the people that actually live there.

PAK FA armament graphic...yeah...it DOES air to ground!

I've been monitoring the comments on my blog post about the SU-57 going to Syria.  More than a few people have stated that the SU-57 is suppose to be the analog of the F-22.  Pure air to air.

How wrong can they be!

I don't think anyone has noticed but the Russians don't build "pure" fighters.  They build a rock solid fighter platform and then do what we used to.  Employ it to go air to ground.  That was the secret sauce of the F-15 and F-16.  They were not a pound for air to ground but because they were awesome fighters they were great attack platforms too.  That wasn't the first time in history either.  The P-51, F4U Corsair and A-4 SkyHawk all flexed between roles with aplomb.

WTF am I getting at?

The PAK FA SU-57 will be dropping bombs and firing rockets in Syria.  They designed it to strike and I believe it'll get the job done.

Don't hate, respect facts! The Russians got their SU-57 stealth fighter to a war zone before we did the same with the F-35...

I am watching the internet with a bit of amusement and much frustration. The facts are simple and stark.  The Russians sent their SU-57 stealth fighter to a war zone before we did the same with the F-35.

It's as simple as that.

They declared the F-35 combat capable.  They said that it was ready to lead the charge against North Korea if necessary.

They sent it to the Pacific, quiet so far, instead of the blazing Middle East.

Instead of respecting the Russians for doing what we refused to do, many are seeking to minimize it.  Deride it.  Mock it.

They're fools.

This is simple.  The Russians are about to do what we have yet to see the F-35 accomplish.  They're gonna drop bombs in an active conflict from their new jet.

I respect that.  You should too.