Good news about the extra MIG-29s.could be offered to India at basement prices too if the Rafale is found unaffordable.
Good news too with the A-10,extra wings being built to extend its life upto 2035! And why? It is because the JSF,meant to replace it for ground support,is woefully behind schedule,horrendously expensive to acquire and operate and a delicate bird that cannot takethe battlefield punishment from anti-air weapons that the flying tank,the A-19 can.
http://boeing.rollcall.com/topic-a/spon ... edom-2035/
A-10 Thunderbolt II Gets New Wings, Ensures the Sound of Freedom into 2035
By Boeing
The A-10 Thunderbolt II plays a key role in protecting our troops and it’s about to get a makeover.
The U.S. Air Force’s A-10 Warthog, a twin-engine jet designed for close air support of ground forces, is receiving new wings that will improve mission availability and help save the Air Force an estimated $1.3 billion in maintenance costs over the next 30 years.
In recent months, Boeing was awarded three follow-on orders for a total of 56 replacement wings and is on contract to build up to 242 wings at its plant in Macon, Ga.
The A-10 is known for its excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and its ability to deliver weapons with great accuracy. A-10s can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings and 1.5-mile visibility. With its significant range and short takeoff and landing capability, it is uniquely suited to serve in and out of locations near the front lines.
This makeover will allow the A-10 to continue to protect our troops and to operate into 2035.
Bad news...for the US:
Russia Missile Defense Worries US
http://boeing.rollcall.com/topic-a/unca ... orries-us/
The Washington Free Beacon reports that “Russia’s military has completed work on a new missile defense radar in southern Russia that has some U.S. military officials worried Moscow is building up offensive and defensive strategic forces in destabilizing combination.”
“The large radar station near Armavir, located near the Black Sea and designed to detect missiles launched from Europe and Iran, is nearly complete, said U.S. officials.”
“The radar deployment comes as Russia is seeking legal restrictions on U.S. and NATO missile defenses in Europe that are designed to protect the continent and the United States from long-range Iranian missiles.”
The paper also reports that “U.S. officials said Russia’s military restricted publication of photographs of the controversial Yars-M missile… However, one photo of the new missile’s prohibited view was published last year.”
New US secret stealth UCAV to enter service by 2015. DEc '13 report though.
Topic A
New Stealth Aircraft Scheduled for Production
By Taegan Goddard | December 6, 2013
Aviation Week: “A large, classified unmanned aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman is now flying—and it demonstrates a major advance in combining stealth and aerodynamic efficiency. Defense and intelligence officials say the secret unmanned aerial system (UAS), designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, is scheduled to enter production for the U.S. Air Force and could be operational by 2015.”
“Neither the Air Force nor Northrop Grumman would speak about the classified airplane… If the previous patterns for secret ISR aircraft operations are followed, the new UAV will be jointly controlled by the Air Force and the CIA, with the program managed by the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office and flight operations sustained by the Air Force.”