Aviation Picture Thread

[CMNTMXR57]

A big part of stealth is dictating strict flight paths, especially going into AD, which, in theory, gives them the opportunity to give that S-400 operator the best stealthy angle for the jet. Also, I don't think you're seeing drop tanks going into an area with S-400 operators, those F-22's are flying with a string of tanker support. The F-22's that are flying with drop tanks are on patrol missions domestically or are scrambled. But those jets are also likely already flying with radar reflectors, hiding their true stealth capabilities even without the drop tanks

Why would you want to run a strict flight path? This is what did in the F-117a over Serbia/Yugoslavia...

Then flying with a host of tankers. Gee, not another red flag to a crafty radar opeator...

The fact of the matter is, these operators on missile defense systems are getting craftier and craftier. Extending frequency wavelengths and other tools to again, not pin-point a 5G stealth fighter, but figure out that something unfriendly is there. Then from trajectory tracking it, narrow down that flight path to at least throw something up in the air at it and hope you get it.

 

[CMNTMXR57]

would you nerds use normal fucking words


the fuck is going on in here

A2/AD = Anti-Access/Area Denial. A zone a country, like China, sets up with defense systems to keep others, namely US, out.

S-400 is a Russian developed missile defense system that on paper, is supposed to be very able to detect our 5G stealth fighters (per them of course).

 

[Kensington]

AD = Area denial (a country or group with dense anti air systems in place, creating highly dangerous air space to operate in)
S-400 = Russian anti air system with advanced radar and highly capable ground to air missiles. These systems have been exported to a number of Russian allies and interests around the world and pose the greatest threat to US fighters
Drop tanks = Are tanks with fuel, that can extend the range of fighters. They generally cause more drag, and hamper performance overall, but greatly extend the jets range. In a stealth fights case, they reflect radar very well, and cause a stealth jet to become a non-stealth jet. But they can be dropped off the plane.
Tankers = aerial refueling tankers, KC-135, etc.
Patrol mission = exactly that, fighters that fly around an area
Scramble = quickly get a jet from ready status to in the air
Radar reflectors = devices, used by stealth jets like the F-22 and F-35, that reflect radar very well, to hide the jets true stealth capabilities.

 

[Yaj Yak]

whatever nerds

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Scramble can also be coined as "Alert 5" (or other number), particularly in the Navy on Aircraft carriers, meaning crews are on alert and ready to be launched in 5 minutes or less.

Back in the cold war days, F-14's were often on Alert (2,4,5) depending on whatever B.S. Russia was doing. Say, sending a bomber, or other military aircraft up to, or just over a NATO airspace.

 

[Yaj Yak]

you two should play a winner takes all 3 round tournament of battleship to see who gets to be tcg's military commander

 

[Kensington]

Why would you want to run a strict flight path? This is what did in the F-117a over Serbia/Yugoslavia...

Then flying with a host of tankers. Gee, not another red flag to a crafty radar opeator...

The fact of the matter is, these operators on missile defense systems are getting craftier and craftier. Extending frequency wavelengths and other tools to again, not pin-point a 5G stealth fighter, but figure out that something unfriendly is there. Then from trajectory tracking it, narrow down that flight path to at least throw something up in the air at it and hope you get it.

Strict flights paths are definitely still something that stealth planes still use, because the plane is most stealthy only from certain angles. The F-117 was done in because of the bomb bay doors, and a crafty radar operator. You're never going to be able to fully eliminate the risk of detection, no matter what you do. But you mitigate as much as possible. The F-22's mission, at this point, is to fly in first, on a set flight path, and pass back as much critical information on radar defense locations, etc. They can strike those targets and/or Wild Weasal's come in and take out the rest of the defenses, allowing F-15E's to come in and strike further ground targets, and F/A-18's/F-16's/F-15C/D's come in and maintain air superiority.

 

[Kensington]

you two should play a winner takes all 3 round tournament of battleship to see who gets to be tcg's military commander

 

[CMNTMXR57]

You're talking strict flight angles. Not necessarily paths. I would vary paths up somewhat to keep these advanced systems off kilter somewhat.

Again, that F-117A was done in, bomb bay doors or not, because as you agree, a crafty radar operator realized that every day (well, night), at a certain time(s), something sneaky was going over head, following that same path. "Well, lets throw something up at 11:04:33 PM and see what we get..." And they got it.

 

[Kensington]

At about 8:15 pm local time, with a range of about 8 miles (13 km) several missiles were launched. According to Lieutenant Colonel Đorđe Aničić, who was identified in 2009 as the soldier who fired the missiles, they detected the F-117 at a range of about 23 km operating their equipment for no more than 17 seconds to avoid being locked on to by NATO anti-air suppression.[3] According to Dani in a 2007 interview, his troops spotted the aircraft on radar when its bomb bay doors opened, raising its radar signature.[6]

Like I said, you're never going to completely eliminate detection, and why adherence to angles and paths is necessary to mitigate the chance of detection. They've also probably learned a thing or two since the downing of that F-117, and know not to follow the same flight paths night in and night out... But equally as important is advanced intelligence on where these AA stations are. Even the quote hints at the AA system being shut down to prevent being detected and eliminated by a Wild Weasel type of aircraft, which is still a threat today. The F-22 and F-35 are very stealthy craft, not only physically but electronically. They have plenty of electronic stealth that isn't public that would help them from being detected, but I agree, radar operators are getting craftier and craftier...and going back to IR detection is probably one weakness for fighters like the F-22 and F-35, because they have no thermal emission mitigation, like the F-117 had and the B-2 has.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

An entire page without pictures. Fuck all yall

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw8HerbHy-8/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=xnsxhwoxgjzw

 

[Kensington]

Reading about this last night. The F-16N, which was used as a purely adversary platform for the Navy and Marines. It was basically an up-engined F-16, with the barest of necessities. All unnecessary weight was stripped out (including the gun and all weapons pylons to save weight and drag), which left it with a better than 1:1 thrust to weight ratio...was electronically limited to 9G's, could supercruise (supersonic flight without after burner), and hit Mach 2.

It had some AWESOME paint schemes from over the years...

 

[guspech750]

727 is damn sexy, but I think the award goes to this as far as commercial jets go

Ah dang it. Yeah. You’re right by a country mile. 727 takes second place. [emoji4]

 

[Kensington]

Turns out, that there's going to be a squadron of F-35 aggressors...here's one painted in a Chinese black with the F-16N in the foreground

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...dron-to-be-activated-at-nellis-air-force-base

 

[Kensington]

Ah dang it. Yeah. You’re right by a country mile. 727 takes second place. [emoji4]

Consider the Soviet version of the Concorde...it's pretty fucking cool

 

[Gone_2022]

Flew on the Dreamliner to London last year. Best plane I’ve ever flown on. Also the whole window darkening tint thing is amazing. Nice to have options instead of just closing the window or opening it.




Took this picture over the ocean.

 

[SHARKBITEATTACK]

Consider the Soviet version of the Concorde...it's pretty fucking cool

Ahh yes, I love all that failed Soviet technology. Hard to believe those guys could build SST’s and autopilot space shuttles but they can’t build a fucking decent car.

 

[SHARKBITEATTACK]

Flew on the Dreamliner to London last year. Best plane I’ve ever flown on. Also the whole window darkening tint thing is amazing. Nice to have options instead of just closing the window or opening it.

View attachment 39629


Took this picture over the ocean.

View attachment 39630

YES! One of my favorite things I remember about that plane as well! Also you don’t get the random idiot that opens the window and blinds you when your trying to sleep

Edit, looks like yours was controllable. Pretty sure when I flew LOT to Warsaw the darkening was controlled by the cabin

 

[Gone_2022]

It was crazy. Both me and the wife commented how we were not as tired as we normally are when flying. That and it was so quiet

 

[SHARKBITEATTACK]

It was crazy. Both me and the wife commented how we were not as tired as we normally are when flying. That and it was so quiet

Yes also I don’t recall the air pressure drastically changing and getting your ears all messed up

 

[SHARKBITEATTACK]

I sat near the rear of the plane and remember seeing the crew constantly going up this mysterious stairwell which I later learned were the crews resting area. Looks pretty nice!

 

[SHARKBITEATTACK]

So I got distracted with other posts but I really came here to share this. Fucking badass!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/9261317727/permalink/10157349491822728?sfns=mo

 

[CMNTMXR57]

I sat near the rear of the plane and remember seeing the crew constantly going up this mysterious stairwell which I later learned were the crews resting area. Looks pretty nice!

I wonder how much "naughty time" takes place with the crew up there...

 

[SHARKBITEATTACK]

I wonder how much "naughty time" takes place with the crew up there...

I heard AOC likes to fly the Dreamliner [emoji38]