Recent content by KevinB

Yes, but if the USAF had ordered the KC-47, Airbus would have been locked in to the -200 airframe for many more years, or eating the ECP cost and platform upgrade (replacement).

The KC-46 debacle is a thread to itself honestly. It’s a clear case of pork barreling, as the LocMart/Airbus offering was virtually a copy paste of the RCAF MRTT, except LocMart doing the conversions. The 767 isn’t a common airframe to the USAF/DoD so it served no point - and there could have...

Oh I had zero faith in the KC-46, Boeing was working at their own pace on that. Partially as the USAF had chosen the LocMart/Airbus offering and Congress forced the Boeing option , I think Boeing knew that there was no Not trying to overly grow simplify this, but it’s a radar replacing a...

Power/cooling requirements increased for the 85. TRL-3 birds have that. I gather there is also an effort between NG and LocMart to make a common interface mounting system- even outside of the USAF program. Any bird designed for the -85 should not have physical issues getting a -81 installed...

I'd like point out that Sik was not owned by LocMart back when you guys bought that bill of good referred to as the Cyclone... So the bad man who touched you was not wearing a LocMart shirt ;) It is pretty clear a lot of the newer MIC entities like to try to portray the established ones...

That is a US DoD decision. It was DoD/USAF not LocMart that made the decision to field the APG-85 radar without a solid build schedule. It is also the USAF who has cut testing numbers thus delaying integration of certain upgrades. Keep in mind the rest of the aircraft is fully functional --...

Oh the shy is falling, like 30 airframes don’t have radars whatever will the USAF do :rolleyes:

Besides isn’t the CAF Moto Fitted for, Not with? :ROFLMAO:

But I suspect that in short order most of AH squadrons will be uncrewed working with a leader crewed system.

Only an issue for -85 customers. Which currently is only the USAF. The 81’s are going out the door fine - which are the export models at this point. It is still a great radar / just not as good as to what the -85 can offer (once they can be built in decent numbers). While I have...

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2026/02/05/current-f-35-configuration-complicates-fielding-of-apg-85-radar/ Don't worry it is just ours...

I think that is an unfortunate fiction that many seem to have acquired. Personnel still need to seize and hold ground -- that has not changed since the time man first picked up a rock. Again I think you are simplifying the equation - instead of looking at what the situations look like outside...

110% The ARNG isn't anymore competent than the CA PRes, there is just funding and a will to do it.

Not to mention that SK isn't exactly a safe zone if something kicks off -- this would provide a safe zone production (unless you buy in the Big 51 insanity)

I think one could argue the same for the US, UK etc Militaries. One thing a lot of civilians tend to ignore in their concept of a Military procurement system is that the countries future can very well be riding on the choices that are made to equip/provision, sustain and train a Military. To...