India to buy 42 Super Sukhoi's...

via Defense Talk...

After negotiating for more than a year, India has firmed up an order with Russia for the purchase of 42 upgraded Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft to strengthen its aging fleet. An agreement confirming this purchase will be signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia starting Thursday.
While the Cabinet Committee on Security had taken a decision on buying 42 additional Sukhoi MKIs last year, negotiations have taken longer because India was also keen to include some of the features found in fifth generation fighter aircraft. Finally, the Russian side agreed to upgrade the SU-30 MKIs to its latest version known as ‘Super Sukhoi’ with additional characteristics.

Read the whole thing but this part has me intrigued...a Sukhoi with 5th gen characteristics???

Makes me think of a Russian Stealth Eagle.

I wonder if its possible?  A google search didn't provide much more information except for this article...

Most significantly, the aircraft will be able to carry a heavier weapon load, including the airborne version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, he added.
Fedorov said the 'Super Sukhoi' will be a potent aircraft similar in features to a fifth generation aircraft. However, he refused to provide specific details of the upgrade, stating that the exact nature of this was still to be decided between the Indian and Russian sides.
Discussions are currently on regarding various aspects of the proposed upgrade, he said.
The Irkut chief did not provide any indication of the cost of the upgrade project. However, going by the general cost trends of similar upgrades, the price could run close to $1 billion.
Meanwhile, HAL is upbeat over its participation in the cutting-edge technology fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) project.

Wow.

I did a piece on the potency of the SU-34.  Now with the Russian Stealth Eagle in the offering its time to get our house in order with a quickness.  Add to the mix the BrahMos missile and you've got trouble in a handbag for amphibious shipping.

Every part of our air defense/air supremacy infrastructure needs to be examined.  Our air to air missiles, our anti-air and our anti-missile defense systems need to get updated.

Lightning Strikes Thrice

The first three-ship F-35A formation flight occurred over the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB on 10 December 2011. Flying lead was Maj. Matthew Hayden in AF-2, with Lt. Col. Dwayne Opella in AF-3, and Maj. Steven Spears in AF-4 forming up on his wing. This was Flight 85 for AF-4.

Light anti-AFV vehicle...

The JLTV issue continues but I saw this pic on the Survivable Combat Vehicle website and noticed that they have mounted an ATK light weight 25mm cannon onto one.

This is the real 'revolution' in military affairs that the theorist talk about but are unable to implement.  A humvee sized vehicle able to engage and defeat AFV's several tons heavier (if the proper ammo is equipped).

A motorized Marine Infantry Company would have the ability to range far and possible engage heavier forces or defeat larger infantry based forces with a little more out of the box thinking.  Granite/Textron...I like it!

UPDATE:
Specs on the ATK-25 mm gun can be found here....

Raptor Parade?

Wow.  I am absolutely dumb founded!  A parade for an airplane?  Wow.  Just plain wow.

THE USAF...The Storm Is Coming.

They're getting better at the propaganda! 

Royal Navy and Air Force shortcomings are exposed....

British naval strategy is in piss poor state.  In days long past, Nimrods would have been scrambled and fighters would be passing by port and starboard to annoy, and warn the Russians that they were under watch.

This response is simply pathetic.  Also note that the aircraft carrier in question has more firepower (not including the air arm) than the destroyer that is supposedly escorting it.

Pic of the day. Typhoon creates a tornado...

via David Cenciotti's blog the Aviationist