[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Llarry

A better photo of the appearance of an OA-1K Skyriader II, complete with sensor pod and a pair of rocket pods, plus a bomb (?) under the right wing.

The OA-1K designation is ludicrous, as the aircraft has nothing to do with the A-1J Skyraider, which was retired ages ago.

Looks like the crop dusters that fly around here.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Looks like the crop dusters that fly around here.

Exactly right. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Tractor_AT-802

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by Llarry

The U.S. Air Force bought 180 T-1A pilot trainers. Of those, half have been retired, and the Air Force plans to retire the other half over the next year or two. VR and simulators will fill the void and prepare pilots for their final assignments.

Does this sound wrong to anybody else?

Have commented on the short-sitedness of this with some of my former USAF friends and the lack of direction the service seems to have. Now that the war is over they are heading into what it was like under Clinton or after Vietnam.

Also has anyone seen the latest on the KC-46A suffering from cracks even before it's delivered.

Boeing is seriously suffering in so many aspects.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Exactly right. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Tractor_AT-802

Friend of mine died in one of those after hitting some power lines while
crop dusting at night. I’ve always thought night dusting was a bit crazy.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Have commented on the short-sitedness of this with some of my former USAF friends and the lack of direction the service seems to have. Now that the war is over they are heading into what it was like under Clinton or after Vietnam.

Also has anyone seen the latest on the KC-46A suffering from cracks even before it's delivered.

Boeing is seriously suffering in so many aspects.

Yes........ https://www.twz.com/air/cracks-in-kc...all-deliveries

[Llarry]

It's SIGINT Sunday! Virtually all nations with air forces have some capability for signals intelligence -- monitoring foreign radar or other electronic emissions or monitoring communications. I've discussed the U.S. capabilities and platforms in this area several times (Air Force RC-135, Navy EP-3 [now retired] and Navy MQ-4.

It can come as a surprise to no one that China is rapidly developing capabilities in this area. So far, they seem to have concentrated their efforts on two large four-engine turboprop transports -- the Shaanxi Y-8 (based on the Soviet/Russian Antonov An-12 NATO Cub) and the more modern Shaanxi Y-9. There are many versions of these two aircraft with specialized missions such as airborne warning and control, anti-submarine warfare and SIGINT. While China is also building Xi'an H-6 (NATO Badger) jet bombers in some numbers, I've not yet seen a SIGINT version.

I've also not seen a photo of a pure communications intercept version of either of the Chinese aircraft but note that frequently the various sub-categories of SIGINT are performed by the same platform.

The first photo is of a Shaanxi Y-8 ELINT version. These aircraft have been seen ranging widely in the Western Pacific in waters around Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. The second photo is of a Shaanxi Y-9 ELINT aircraft. Neither has the numerous blade antennas usually seen on a communications intercept platform, so they may be concentrating on adversary radar signals.

A fully mature air force would probably also need a large jet-powered platform and I've not yet seen such a SIGINT aircraft in the PRC Air Force or Naval Air Force. The obvious choice would be the Xi'an H-6 (NATO Badger), although a modified airliner would also be a possibility.

[Llarry]

Just two U.S. Marine Corps attack squadrons continue to fly the AV-8B Harrier. Both are stationed on the U.S. East Coast.

Here's the squadron commander's aircraft of VMA-231 with an impressive load of ten 500-pound bombs.

[Llarry]

The Boeing KC-46A seems to be in the news quite often -- and not in a good way.

It is worth considering that there are around 90 KC-46As in service, but there are 215 KC-135Rs and KC-135Ts in service at present, including active USAF, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard aircraft.

The attached is a photo of a KC-135 based at RAF Mildenhall, UK.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Llarry

The Boeing KC-46A seems to be in the news quite often -- and not in a good way.

It is worth considering that there are around 90 KC-46As in service, but there are 215 KC-135Rs and KC-135Ts in service at present, including active USAF, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard aircraft.

The attached is a photo of a KC-135 based at RAF Mildenhall, UK.

My brother was a crewman on a KC-135 back in the mid 70’s. On occasion,
they refueled the SR-71. I seem to recall him telling me recently that his
KC-135 is still flying today, but with better engines.