You are absolutely right, it is 11 years and not 21. That is my typo and I will have it corrected. Thanks for pointing that one out. Read more

You don’t need any excuse really to post pictures of a French SSBN! If you have more share ‘em! Read more

You are right. Thanks, man! Read more

The reason I did not include the UK or France is that they have submarine launched ballistic missiles vs ICBMs. Small technicality but that’s why I chose that. Read more

Thank you very much I appreciate the kind words. I hope to keep writing stuff to keep you interest. Read more

Do you really think I’m a mouthpiece for China. Seriously? You must have missed the sarcasm there. Nobody should really take that seriously as advocating China’s talking points. Just pointing out what is being said around the world. Read more

The S-3 is great aircraft. And that Centennial of Naval Aviation paint scheme is fantastic. Read more

Cost definitely drove the Hornet only air wing. The point I am trying to make here is that if you are going to keep reducing the size of the air wing, then perhaps it is time to step away from $13 billion dollar carriers we are building. It makes no sense to build these large carriers if we won’t make the air wings… Read more

You are absolutely correct regarding the effectiveness and accuracy of modern weapons. Naval Aviation lost almost 900 aircraft during Vietnam from combat and accidents. Then the air wings were larger, could sustain some attrition and be effective. Today, the smaller air wings do not have that luxury despite the… Read more

They should have been in ‘active’ mode. At least two different surface search radars scanning for contacts should have been working. Unless there was an equipment failure that has not been identified yet. Combined with lookouts on duty this should not have happened. But, with all human activity, mistakes happen. … Read more

That one never gets old. Read more

Yes that is right. I was looking at it in the sense of a commercial plane when answering that. Read more

Same with keeping the F-15 fleet around for some time yet. Upgrades can make the Eagle a wonderful compliment to the Raptor, especially with the Talon Hate (or similar) addition. I’m all for making the most out of things we have already paid for. Read more

In fighter jets the cabin is not pressurized. They have the main source of oxygen and a backup supply which is usually attached to the ejection seat. They call it the ‘Green Apple’ because of its shape and size. Read more

A Scud is a missile not a drone. Approximately 90 were fired from Iraq during Desert Storm and while initial estimates put the success rate of the Patriot at over 80% for protecting Saudi Arabia and only 50% for Israel, the rate of successful intercept is now only 9% for all areas during Desert Storm. So assuming 90… Read more

The reason I used “American blood” is simply because the article was focusing on the issues the Marines are having with their aviation community, and the price that has been paid by Harrier pilots in particular to get the jet to where it is now. By no means is it an attempt to exclude the lives of RAF pilots who… Read more