Airliners.net

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Are the early typhoons not strictly air defence, little to no air-to-ground capability? That might be a way to avoid the image of supplying “offensive” weapons. In the short term, I don't think Ukraine need A to G attack aircraft as much as A to A (for counter missiles). If they have aircrafts they...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Earlier this week an Ukrainain official mentioned that a plan has been agreed upon for fighter jets.

I guess we are seeing the start of executing this plan.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

The DoD said they can track on radar, but the balloons move so slowly they aren't always identified Ah yes, I understand that part. Radar returns are processed and filtered to categorize and prioritize targets. I guess the next software update better have weather/spy balloon radar & flight prof...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

Avatar2go wrote:
good radar signature. Lots of sharp angles.

Unless ofcourse if the structure is CFRP which won't give as good as a reflection as metal.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

art wrote:
Is that a useful thing to do since opinion hitherto is that F-16 would be the western type supplied to Ukraine if the west does decide to supply fast jets?

It would be useful as a political nudge nudge, wink wink, to pave the way for, or as part of, the American F-16 contribution.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

The cannon was ruled out from the beginning, based on prior experience. Yes, I read about the prior experience some 25 years ago. 1000 rounds and the weather balloon didn't go down. From the transcript, it sounded like they were tracking it visually through the sniper pod. Was there any radar track...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

I'm thinking they have no choice but to use an IR missile. As noted a gun run at Mach speed may be difficult if you can't get a radar lock. Speaking of which could they even get a radar lock on the balloon? Do we know if the balloon was providing a good radar return? Additionally would any radar gui...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: KC-10 Retirement

Mikenike wrote:
hypocritical to say three is too many to get rid of one fleet just to add a new third fleet down the line in 10-15 years.

Possibly not hypocritical If 10-15 years down the road, you only have the KC-46 and KC-Z as all the KC-135 could be retired.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

. But, I suspect Kyiv does not believe that time is on Ukraine's side. Wary of Russian entrenchment and seeking to avoid the perception of a stalemate, UA is likely to move sooner than later. That's been the trend thus far. Western equipment may not arrive in time to be relevant for a UA offensive,...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

LyleLanley wrote:
African swallow or European swallow?

I got that one.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

zeke wrote:
bikerthai wrote:
Huh? Do we have any operational ground base laser system that can hit a target at that altitude?

Yes, and even much higher. The amount of energy required is not intuitive.

I see. Ship based system?

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Chinese Spy Balloon

It could have been taken down by a ground based laser. Huh? Do we have any operational ground base laser system that can hit a target at that altitude? I mean the only one I am aware of are anti-drones systems that are still under development. The shoot down was simply communication by YouTube. Tru...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Boeing KC-46 News, Production and Delivery Thread

I believe it is in the legislations for all government contracts. The supplier have to provide financial data on the build so the government can see if there is excess price gouging. Boeing can't just overcharge the government for the next tranche. If they find out that it may cost more per frame, t...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Other commenter suggest that 9 mo was from contract to delivery. Does anyone recall when the rumor started? I'd peg that was the time frame as when the contract was signed. No, this would be bought using Lend Lease money. So when was that money approved? MAY 2022. Let's say give them 30 days to work...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Apart from Russia gaining a mile or two of territory, is it of real significance if UAF withdraws? Being a city with buildings, Bakhmut offer some sheltering comfort for the defender. Once Russia levels the town, it would no longer be of use. If you look at the topographic map, you'll see the terra...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Boeing adding 737 line in Everett

So once the 737 line in Renton shuts down, does anyone else see the city decommissioning the airport as well? That is some prime real-estate.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

The Ukrainians seem unable to advance at this point. I see a stalemate with years and years of carnage to come. I do not see a stalemate. What you are seeing is the impact of winter weather and muddy condition. Ukraine is unable to use maneuver warfare like they did with the Kharkiv offensive. The ...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

I'm afraid that a handful of tanks may be too little too late to save Ukraine. OH REALLY? They have not been able to take that city for a year now with all armor and artilery they had. Why would you think 150000 unsupported infantry will be able to take all of Ukaine? And as many have stated. Bakhm...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

TheSonntag wrote:
Obviously still good against older tanks.

And that is all that Russia has to offer this point forward.

So bring on the Leo 1.

And while we're at it let's re-enact the Valley of Tears (any Centuions left out there?)

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Boeing adding 737 line in Everett

Is there any chance that they might do some consolidation & do something like bring little bird & Apache or F15 F18 to Everatt & shut down facilities in Arizona & Saint Louis? Just putting a thought out there Not likely. St Louis is pretty secure with the T7 production and most like...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/2 ... sian-shift

It is not yet compatible with HIMARS, but the US will provide Ukraine with new launchers for the rockets, sources said.

Hidden in a shipping container no doubt

bt

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

It seems to me that your government is listening to your advice when it comes to SDBs! From what I know about government procurement and production system, my Government probably had the ball rolling before I even mentioned it here on A-net. Although I admit that I was aware of this capability befo...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

However, I suspect the reason Ukraine doesn't seem to be prioritizing requests for more HIMARS, even though they have been highly effective, is because the main limit on using them isn't the number of launchers, but the difficulty finding targets worth expending the costly, limited quantity M31 roc...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Boeing adding 737 line in Everett

Boeing aren't going to send a Dreamlifter into Renton. They only landed a 747 once at Renton and are not likely to try that again. To have even considered the extra line at Everett, I'd be fairly confident that the logistics to get the fuselage and wings there would've already been determined. Oof ...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

As for air support for ground troops, GLSBD can do some of that. There is a short write in on the KOZ web site on the versatility of GLSBD. GLSDB is a different beast. The key words from that video up above are “launcher-independent.” While the GLSDB can be fired from a MLRS launcher, it can also be...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Boeing adding 737 line in Everett

https://youtu.be/wsZ6YPsPpj0

bt

bikerthai

Re: Boeing adding 737 line in Everett

Boeing's plant ground will vibrate but not plastic deform, yes pretty safe. The original plant was designed for about 60% of current code levels and needs upgrading. The added part for the 777 is at 85% of current code, no need to reinforce. The expensive thing is the floor, and it is great. One la...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Boeing adding 737 line in Everett

Boeing's plant ground will vibrate but not plastic deform, yes pretty safe. The original plant was designed for about 60% of current code levels and needs upgrading. The added part for the 777 is at 85% of current code, no need to reinforce. The expensive thing is the floor, and it is great. One la...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

It was, though I suspect the targeting of those supply convoys was made easier when infantry AT systems hit the armour, caused that traffic jam and provided an artillery target rich environment. Recall that first video of the ambush of the Russian column? I was perplexed on why the Russian column r...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Materially, nothing prevented the provision last summer of the equipment now being provided. At this I agree. At the begining of the war I was hoping all the stuff we are providing now was provided then. But I understand much more now on the nature of logistics and planning. On the political side t...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

With hindsight maybe more artillery systems sooner, May be not. At the time there was sufficient stock of Ukrainian artilery. And despite much hype about NLAWs, in some circles it was Ukrainan artilery that stopped the Russain advance on Kiev. We did not hear about need for western artilery until t...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Nevertheless, a lot of the materiel provided by countries is stock that already existed ie no new funds were required to build it. True, items that are donated are sunk cost. But for items that are refurbished or prepped, budget needed to allocate personel to actually do the work. Some budget could...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Oh yeah,

And there's a thing called a budget. Even in war, there is a budget that needs to be allocated.

Can we really say that giving Ukraine all it wants would fit under the budget that the allies have allocated? By necessity or by law?

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

A more constructive approach would be to listen to what Ukraine says it needs and to supply those needs. Better than Ukraine's supporters deciding what Ukraine needs. Things are alot more complex then just giving Ukraine everything they need. Consider the Training issue. In order to give Ukraine al...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Tugger wrote:
The main reason we didn't have a fire sale or reduce our capabilities was because the congress wouldn't stop ensuring "their" defense contractors, the ones employing thousands and thousand of their constituents.

And the US still have China to contend with.

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

art wrote:
Biden says "no" to US sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

Wait a minute. If that reporter was a Deny's viewer, then the follow up question should have been.

"Will the US send F-18 fighters to Ukraine"

bt

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Maybe I’m cynical, but IMHO the goal is ending this war instead of dragging on and destroy as much as Russian equipment. As an American I do feel slighted every time someone say that the US wants to drag on the war instead of trying to end the war quickly. That opinion assumed that America as a sol...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

What value is there in having Ukraine as an ally? Votes at the UN? For Taiwan, any additional vote in the UN is proportially more valuable because they have so few allies. Specially since they are not a member. As a country with vast resources, Ukraine can be valuable to Taiwan (an island country w...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

IMHO it wasn't clear that the US would only supply a downgraded export version to the Ukraine. It is pretty much clear now. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/26/us-sends-ukraine-advanced-abrams-tanks-00079648 But the 31 tanks slated for Ukraine will not include the secret armor mix that makes t...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/stat ... 9862576128

bikerthai

Re: US Marines looking to disperse around Okinawa Islands

And as rhe Ukraine conflict shown, distance impacts logistics exponentially. Getting troop across the Taiwan straight is one thing. Supporting a whole scale invasion of Okinawa without the support of land base SAMs would require more carriers and support ships than the Chinese will be able to build ...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

?? Apart from Germany doesn't have F16's nor Gripens. Doesn't really have anything to do with whether German operate these types. It has to do with donations going through the contact group led by the US who's major presence was on an airbase controlled by Germany. This was the situation early in t...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

this supply and training process been started months earlier, as Ukraine was requesting, the tanks could be deployed more effectively from the outset. I see this kind of things happening all the time. When things gets hectic, these type of forethought gets lost. Even if an underling would bring up ...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

And this aspect of combined arms training is probably more important than training how to operate the vehicles themselves. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/29/2149941/-Ukraine-Update-Tanks-are-nice-but-it-s-combined-arms-that-can-change-the-game And yes, Ukraine probably have experience in co...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

It is clear that M1's are very unlikely to feature in this war before 2024, so M1 has become irrelevant in the near term. I'm starting to see why the US was so reluctant to send the M1. The exportable armor is key here. Was the Polish M1 have the DU armour? If yes than they can not be transfered to...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukrai ... 124dcea5c8

Virtual maintenance advice/trouble shooting!

bt

bikerthai

Re: Russian Invasion of Ukraine - Discussion Thread

Pretty much says it all. Probably gonna take at least six months, IMO, but it is in the works. Probably been in the works for a while now. I'm speculating that the announcement was made now only after they are confident they have enough SAMs to protect the said airfield. That and probably heavy con...

Jump to post

bikerthai

Re: USAF F-15EX News and Discussion Thread

If

Israel has sent a formal request to the United States to purchase 25 advanced F-15-EX fighter jets

Then it is more than talk. They are going to buy and is finding out how much it gonna cost.

bt

Jump to post

Search found 6668 matches