- Sukhoi test pilot survives, but one of two Su-35 prototypes bursts into flames on takeoff. Two English-language reports are available here and here
- Bettina Chavanne of Aerospace Daily says US Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program is delayed at least two years to conduct analysis of alternatives
- The DEW Line's YouTube channel has full video of Gen Norton Schwartz's speech on Friday about US Air Force's role in irregular warfare. Watch Part 1 and Part 2
- Strategy Page is not imporessed with US Air Force's new idea to buy AT-6s for counter-insurgency role
- Terrence Kelly, et al, of Rand, call for US Marshals Service to form battalion-sized force of peacekeeping super-cops, with the capability to deploy anywhere within 30 days
- John Tirpak of Air Force magazine's Daily Report reports US Air Force chief admits mea culpa on next-generation bomber snafu
- Lockheed-shareholding Catholic nun warns company to back off weaponizing space
on April 27, 2009 3:29 PM | Reply
What do you mean about Strategy Page being "not impressed"? The article you link to is perfectly opinion-free.
on April 27, 2009 3:35 PM | Reply
I'm reading between the lines a little. Ok, a lot. But that's what I took from reading the Strategy Page piece.
on April 27, 2009 11:50 PM | Reply
Steve,
I have to agree with you that the article wasn't impressed with the AT-6. There are only 2 sentences on the AT-6 and the mention that it could haul less than a ton of goodies. That is hardly glowing praise compared to the previous 4 paragraphs discussion of the A-1 and the Tucano.
As for SOCOM looking at the Tucano, I guess they are looking for something currently in production. The trade off of fire power between the Tucano and the A-10 or the A-1 isn't even a contest. As for loiter time the A-10 could be given larger fuel tanks. By the same token I don't believe the 6.5 hour flight time was for the two place Tucano with a bunch of sensors onboard.