Hello. First of all, I am an authority on nothing! I am a fan, first and foremost. Have been for most of my sixty years. Direct military experience limited to a brief period in 1970 in the "land Element" Canadian Armed Forces. I reside in a small town in Washington St. USA.
I am fairly expert on North American trucking and for the last while on runs to and from Alaska. Usually, Anchorage. The biggest interest in Anchorage is, of course, Elmendorf AFB.
When killing time on the Web, my main points of interest is the F-22 and, of course, Celine Dion.
Two magnificent instruments! I've pretty well hit most of the sites on both and have gleaned some "truths", I believe, on each.
As there is much "competition both in music and Aerospace, this is not an easy task. Add governments, corporations and a national pride into the mix, and getting an accurate picture is inversly proportional to opinions.
Nevertheless, all of these platforms are magnificent and beautiful, like Celine, and with that as acommon ground, would love sharing perspectives on either or both and anything else that strikes your fancy.
Politically, I'm conservative, US version, intensely loyal to the US and Canada. Yet, am impressed by the videos of Rafales doing touch and goes off of US Carriers. I am warmed by this co-operation and wished it was as strong politically as it is militarily.
I probably don't have much to add to the overall discussion of the pros and cons of each.
I've had some casual conversations with people in the military and civilian employees who work at various bases whom I would give prima facea trust to based on 60 years of inate skeptism.
One interesting point was a friend who did contract work on the base in Anchorage stated that the USAF kept 4 f-22's "idling" 24/7 as there is zero airspace between Alaska and our buddies in Russia.
I would assume "hot refueling"? It was my understanding that the US didn't do that. Something borrowed from the Israelis?
One more question, I understand PW is already working on the development of the F119 PW 200. From other sources the 22 can't use all the thrust, speed wise, of the 100 version. That has been quoted as high as 173 kNs-39000 lbs of thrust. Is it likely then that this newer version is to increase supercruise performance?
I am convinced that LM is understating the 22's performance largely to push the f-35s sales numbers. Anything to that thought?
Anyway, I obviously don't know much, so please indulge me. I am after all, a fan just like you
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