I don’t believe that statement to be demonstrably true, at least without specifying metrics. In bare-bones, 0-60, the 991 Turbo S will inch out the z06 with a 2.6 second sprint, I do believe.

But when France was engaged against ISIS last spring their carrier was also in the Persian Gulf.... many months before Russia felt compelled to back it’s client dictatorship.

Their mission is more ‘get the job done and get out in one piece’, rather than ‘shoot anything that moves’... de-escalation skills would come in handy then, to avoid someone going away severely pissed and coming back with armed friends. That ensuing firefight is *going* to damage the aircraft/crew/mission, and that’s…

I know Im somewhat crazy but I sure would like to see the Raptor cut its teeth against some real Russian hardware. No proxy bullshit, real F22 vs SU-30 or something. If the Russkies get frisky with their front line stuff have a little NATO reminder of who really owns that airspace. Just the tip....just for a second.

I like that we keep a “Presidential” carrier in Japan, it’s a nice emphasis to China that while sinking any carrier would lead to massive retaliation but even more you don’t want to sink the Washington or the Reagan.

Extrapolating from my experience riding dirt bikes off-road next to or behind my very closest friends, at high speeds, over unknown terrain, on very difficult trails, and trusting their lines, I can conclude that I am indeed not anywhere close to as ballsy or skilled as these pilots. Like, not in the same galaxy. This…

How do they get those things to fly with balls that big weighing them down?

even if he aired down first, AND he did everything correctly... It would still be stuck.
It was already a heavy truck with a large ground pressure. Then they realized it had zero armor, so they “up-armored” it... it now weighs so much, even with no cargo, that it is useless in loose sand.