We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:17:30 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:43:10 -0600
You there, buddy?

(tap, tap, tap) Is this microphone on?

(tap, tap) testing; one two three...

er, what was that again about long legs?



]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90105 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90105 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:04:40 -0600 -F-35B STOVL 450 nm
-F-35C CV 600 nm
-F/A-18A/C 290 nm
-F/A-18 Super Hornet 390 nm
-F-16C (Block 30) 295 nm
-F-22 410 nm
Now. What was that about short legs, again? 

I do like your idea F-35-capable amphib, though. Do we have any old Midway- or Essex-class carriers in mothballs to try that out? :) More seriously, aren't the modern amphibious assault ships nearly the same dimensions as the Essex?
   ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90065 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90065 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:20:06 -0600
That's kinda why that Ryuku island right on the CADIZ line is kinda important, Unk.  Stagging P-3/P-X and other fighters out of there would make things soooooooo much easier.  But, again, try convincing the Diet to go for it while the PLA's doctrine amounts to 'if you attack from there we can attack you there'---which means alla Nihon is on the table according to the Chinee.  Hence, the Diet'll neve go for it. 

Hey, remember, Unk, I was the guy chastizing Kat about sortie time/rate back the last time this came up.  It sucks.  WHich is why I'm saying without the -35C it's the only bird the AF has that can get to the fight.  THe -35 faces an even worse problem of refueling.

Formosa is largely a Navy problem, but any problem in the Western Pac requiring AF will have to be served by the -22.  She's the only one of the two with the range to make it across with what's available in tanker capacity(and where they're located/can be located). 

But, yeah, I now about the problem of sortie.  That's why the AF shows up to keep the PLAAF off the Super Hornets in most scenarios I've seen that win.  Beat back all that Russian crap, let the Hornets go after the transports.  That's what she, the F-22, can do.  

But, hey, if'n 'ya wanna talk Barry into forking out the kroner for a mother-load of amphibs capable of carrying a dozen F-35 each and get rid of the super-carriers, for major savings(in some areas), I'd be down with that too.  You know you got the pull, Unk.  You're just that nifty.  ;)

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90062 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90062 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:56:50 -0600
Let's say the PRC gets feisty in the Formosa Straits. The F-22s could make Taiwan unrefueled, using drop tanks, but then they'd have to tank before engaging in combat, then refuel over Taiwan, then at least twice more during the return trip to Anderson.

Then they'd have to refuel, rearm, and go back and do it again. And again. 

Without losing any to combat action or maintenance glitches.

Nevah hoppen.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90054 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90054 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:08:57 -0600
where you can station them and how you get them to the fight matters, too.  An AF of F-35s doesn't stand a chance of getting to the fight(legs are too short).  The F-35C(vstol) hasn't even been done acceptance trials yet.  So  Nava; aviation of the suckers is 2-20 years into the future.  Figuring that we'll have to fly either from JPN(and I wouldn't bet on getting to use that training strip they've got sitting right on the CADIZ line in the Ryuku chain), or Guam, I'm for the F-22 given a crisis in the near to mid-term.  Cost and all.  She's the only bird that can do what's needed.  Period. Gotta deal with the necessity instead of just numbers, y'all. 

IF we had the F-35C in hand, and a large number of L ships and escorts, well, I'd say fine.  Take the F-22 off the table.  THe Navy and Marines could kick in the door, set up rough and ready fields for the golfers, er, excuse please, the AF to work off of and extend further inland.  But, we don't have the triad to make that viable.  So, the AF gets the 22, and can come play on day one with good odds of survivability and making a major difference. 

BUt that's me.  ;)
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90019 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90019 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:45:52 -0600
Oh, heck, let's get Dusty started on that topic.

I won't have to post for a week.

8^)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90016 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90016 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:08:03 -0600
It takes *forever* for helicopters to self-deploy.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90015 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90015 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:38:50 -0600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90014 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90014 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:18:58 -0600
Right now, I'm just using bandwidth while I can...
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90012 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90012 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:04:43 -0600 Boring day in Iraq, eh, Bill? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90009 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90009 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:49:58 -0600
Ummmmmm -- too bad they can't *both* do *both*...like helicopters can...

[scrambling for the bunker]
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/06/would_love_to_w.html#comment-90007 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:54:56 -0600