It could very well be a modular communications intelligence gathering package that will allow the P-8 to pick up some of the slack for the USAF’s RC-135 and U-2 (in Senior Spear configuration) fleets, as well as the Navy’s own secretive EP-3 Aries cadre among other smaller platforms. Such a capability will allow the… Read more

I’ve been watching this closely, as I’ve been thinking about moving forward with a job with Sikorsky. I was at LM for 8 years, just before Marilyn Hewson came in, and she was actually the VP of my last business unit. I’m not a fan of her, and I’m afraid that LM is going to take Sikorsky and gut it. Also, the project… Read more

Igor is rotating in his grave.
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Tyler, you will be voted in as the lord of all the cool stuff written on the interweb. BTW, I thought Pornography was not permitted? LOL! Thanks. BTW, I was at the airfield (Former RAF Usworth in Sunderland) when Nissan had their plant built pretty well in the middle of the airfield. The deal was they had to open an… Read more

I’m not entirely sure but I think the lede video was filmed at Bell in Arlington, Tx. I work across the hwy from there and the Ospreys fly over quite often (the whole building vibrates when they do). Read more

Tyler, Read more

There’s only one thing missing from the top image.

You forgot to add its retractable, 4 piece refueling probe. It was not part of the original plan, but it couldn't be lowered on the aircraft carrier. It had to be re-engineered producing a high tolerance parts made out of titanium. I worked at a place that mfg them and the GD&T callouts got complicated for a lot of… Read more

Whoa awesome. I live near a Marine base and see these flying all the time, but had no idea they could fold up like that. Read more

The system is surprisingly reliable and takes about 90 seconds for a full stow sequence. It is entirely automated and utilizes a dead-man switch (have to hold it continuously) operated by a maintainer or aircrew while monitoring the status of the system on an MFD. Tyler is right in the fact that the aircraft could be… Read more

“You have 10 seconds to comply” Read more

Oh Tyler, you never stop amazing people with your finds and write ups! :-)
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Leave it alone, its doing its mating ritual. It gets nervous around humans. Read more

Coincidence?

This is why I read this blog - you’re clearly interested in engaging the reader and it’s a form of communication that I highly respect and value. And as a bonus, this is one of the precious few sites discussing this stuff that really reawakens the magic inside the technology. This comment is really better suited for… Read more

Tyler - Dug out my old Kinja passkey just to say how much I’ve been enjoying this site. I got on yesterday afternoon hoping to kill a couple hours and this article (plus the 20 other pages and image searches it lead me on) was absolutely perfect. Thanks! Read more

Tyler, Read more

I like to consider myself fairly knowledgeable about WW2 era arms and equipment, but I must admit this is the first I’ve ever heard of this beast. Read more