JAFO

Ford Flex for the win

Watching this show in full 1080p glory is always a treat. Chris Harris and Rory Reid have shown everyone they belong. Matt Leblanc is a pro, and deserves the chance to lead the show. (If you haven’t seen him in the BBC/Showtime show ‘Episodes’, give it a shot. It is outstanding) Eddie is a bit of a joke, still haven’t…

The Marines V/STOL requirements are the main issue with the F-35 cost overruns. It is the primary issue in it’s “all things for everyone” mission.

Any indication if the B-52's will get new engines as part of this? That would have a huge impact on loiter time, performance, etc.

Usually those 2 seat variants are ordered & delivered simultaneously with their corresponding single seat variant. They won’t skip a letter to save a space for it. (F-35 a/b/c for example all are single seat variants). However, according to wikipedia, it looks like a two-seat ‘B’ model for the F-22 was planned and…

As much as I would love to see more F-22's, in my mind you would need to have a more pressing threat and a ‘B’ model with significant gains to justify it. (Then the cost comparison becomes “all new 5+ gen fighter” vs. “eat the cost of the F-22 restart”). However, the F-15 line is still open, how about we augment the…

Is it me, or should Maserati worry about their “Design Language” being poached as well?

A lot of folks in this thread don’t really understand how medals work in the military. In general, you don’t get bonus money or raises in the military for doing a good job on a project or initiative. You generally get raises for time in grade and promotions. So, the military (USAF in my case) gives you medals. They…

The “Talon” programs refer to approved TENCAP programs. (Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities). That generally is focused on bringing in Black World sensor data to tactically aid the warfighter. (Which Tyler and the sources refer to as “National sources”). Pretty cool to think about getting gen 4/5 data,…

Because the pilot’s visibility in this plan is crap near the ground between the construction of the aircraft and the space suit they wear. You basically fly within a couple feet of the ground, deploy spoilers and ‘stall’ from 2 feet. If you do it too high, you damage the plane. If you hit the ground at too much speed,…

Worked on the groundstation software for the DSP birds before and after the first Gulf War. Great platform with a lot of evolving capability over the years. Most people probably don’t know or appreciate the role they played during the cold war up to their phaseout with SBIRs.

Tyler—

My first permanent USAF assignment was as an ELINT Software Analyst for the SR-71. Within a month or so of showing up on base, the funding was pulled on the entire SR-71 program. It was still very cool to spend the time I could there. I was there for the official retirement ceremony when they flew one in from…

Just the sale of the Wittman proving grounds near Phoenix was $312 million. Afterwards, they bought Ford's old facility in Yucca. I am sure that net $250 million went to MB.

Am I the only one who sees some International Harvester Scout in the design?

Some of these pictures reference the ship as the Lewis B. Puller, named for the famous "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated member of the USMC. Any chance you have the name wrong in the article? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USNS_Lewi…