Mutual Destruction. Close in aerial combat has changed.

Python-5

ASRAAM

AIM-9X

The pictures above display just a few of the "within visual range" missiles that have driven the thought behind aerial combat in today's age.

Everyone points to Vietnam as the foundation of modern combat and the need to retain guns on aircraft.  Modeling and simulation have shown that not to be the case.

Detect with systems, enemy aircraft at distance.  Launch at optimum distance.  Break contact to re-arm, refuel and return to the fight.

If close in combat is the rule then this airplane would rule the skies...

Norman in...Beesley retires as F-35 Chief Test Pilot.

via Lockheed Martin.

Al Norman, a veteran Lockheed Martin experimental test pilot, was named chief test pilot for the F-35 program on 21 February 2011. Norman replaces former F-35 chief test pilot Jon Beesley, who retired 31 January 2011. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in 1999, Norman served in the US Air Force for twenty-three years as a fighter pilot and test pilot. He left active duty in 1999 to become an experimental test pilot for Lockheed Martin on the F-22 program at Edwards AFB, California.  Norman tested all aspects of the Raptor's flight regime while in the Combined Test Force at Edwards. In addition to flight test and production work on the F-22, he performed production and test work on all models of the F-16. He is also Lockheed Martin’s chief pilot for the T-50 program. Norman has more than 6,000 hours of flying time in more than seventy aircraft types.

Best of luck to Norman.

Beesley has done outstanding work in the F-35 program and I can't help but want the best to him and his family.  I hope that he has success in all his future endeavours.

Having said that, I also hope that Norman has a more confrontational style with the programs critics.  Beesley was professorial with the nay-sayers and because he didn't meet their vigor, his comments while spot on, were often ignored.

Royal Navy Admirals Strike Back.

via the Daily Telegraph.

The operational and financial arguments for maintaining the Harrier in favour of the Tornado are clear to us and to the wider defence community. We therefore wish to bring to your attention a cost-effective option for retaining some Tornadoes and some Harriers, the latter under Royal Naval command, and both in reduced numbers

Wow.


One thing has me curious about all this.  The RAF dismantled and scrapped the Nimrods in a matter of days.  The Harriers remain available.

I don't know if this is part of a larger plan on the part of the MoD in regards to its civilian leadership...a gentleman's agreement between the RAF and RN or what but something just doesn't give.  Oh and the thought that they're selling a few aircraft on E-Bay (or rather were) doesn't add up either.

Strange happenings over in the UK and I don't have any visibility on what its about.  This bears watching.

Oh and read the entire article.  Gloves are coming off.

F-35 AF-6

Boeing's take on the tanker win.

Mud Ops.

Photos by Lance Cpl. Reece Lodder 

Amphibious assault vehicles with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, send mud flying as they tear up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

Lance Cpl. Michael Haus, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, sits near the front of his AAV and watches as others tear up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

The spinning track of an amphibious assault vehicle with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, sends mud flying as it tears up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

The spinning tracks of an amphibious assault vehicle with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, sends mud flying as it tears up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

Lance Cpl. Michael Haus, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, picks debris off an AAV after it tore up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez, an amphibious assault vehicle crew chief with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, looks on as Sgt. Pedro Guerrero, 1st section leader, AAV Platoon, provides instruction to his driver, AAV crewman Lance Cpl. Michael Haus, during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Nuupia Pond Wildlife Management Area, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

Lockheed Martin's JLTV.

Sweet looking vehicle...probably extremely capable...but can we afford it?