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That’s what NGAD started as (open architecture, rapid adaptability, etc.) and then the mil industrial complex kicked it into 6th gear and fucked it all up. I don’t blame the AF for taking a pause after seeing some of the more recent costs and demands from industry. Acquisitions and industry - For the love of God, just fucking produce something that is relevant, adaptable, at least realistically affordable (even if still a rip off), and doesn’t take 20 years. Why is this so hard?

But according to the left, JD Vance is “weird”…

Possible extension of U-2 operations, according to noted British journalist Chris Pocock. Things are getting interesting, assuming he is somewhat accurate. https://dragonladytoday.com/2024/08/17/keep-the-u-2-by-downsizing-the-operation/

She’s going to fix the economy! That she’s been a part of for four years.

If it’s anything like 2016-2020 sign me up twice.

It’s the Woke version for Mr. Potato Head

One of these is Neil from the 1980s Brit comedy classic, The Young Ones! Not sure what the other is?

I, for one, am looking forward to Harris implementing all of Bernie Sanders’ and Elizabeth Warren’s top economic policies. /s

bUt RuSsiA Is WiNnInG!

70 Years Ago This Week: 23 Aug 1954 -- First Flight of the YC-130 In 1954, President Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower sat in the Oval Office; the US Air Force Academy was founded; and the first of over 2,500 Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft took to the skies. By that time, the Cold War was in full swing. The newly independent USAF had begun to recapitalize its fleet around the atomic bomb and the jet engine, with its tactical and mobility fleets making due with the World War II leftovers. Though those aircraft were less than a decade old, the intervening advent of the turbojet engine had ushered in a new era for aviation that made the classic piston-and-propeller propulsion combination nearly obsolete. The Korean War made clear the deficiencies of those legacy transports; what was needed was a medium-sized tactical airlifter for delivering heavier equipment or paratroops quickly and over long distances to combat areas, yet capable of operating from short, rough airfields. The key enabling technology was the turboprop engine. Standard turbojet engines that relied on expelling hot gas for thrust were terribly inefficient at low speeds, making them impractical for transports. The new concept of a turboprop engine instead harnessed the jet engine’s energy to drive a propeller, combing the compact power of the jet with subsonic efficiency of a propeller. Because the Air Force had ceded turboprop development to the Navy, while they focused on turbojets, they had to derive the intended engine from its sister service’s programs. In June 1950, the Air Force released the first General Operational Requirements Document for a new medium turboprop transport, with requests for proposals coming the following January. Of the five contractor submission, Lockheed was announced as the winner on 2 July 1951, receiving a contract to build two YC-130s on 11 July, powered by Allison T56 turboprops. The prototypes were designed and built at Lockheed’s California facilities—it was just then re-activating the former Marietta, Georgia, B-29 plant for future C-130 production. As legend has it, the Hercules’ mockup debut resulted in stunned silence...and not the good kind, because it bucked the sleek-and-streamlined trend of the early Jet Age. Skunk Works founder Kelly Johnson reportedly dismissed it entirely. On 23 August 1954, just about a year behind schedule (due to both engine & airplane delays), Lockheed test pilots Stan Beltz and Roy Wimmer, and two flight engineers, ran up the engines on the second YC-130, tail number 53-3397, in Burbank, California. Just 10 seconds and 855 feet later, their plane leapt into the air for the first flight of the C-130. An hour later, they landed at Edwards AFB where it would undergo the rest of its flight test program.

Mass Air Guard is killing it.

They don't call it the good ole' days for nothing...

Gov Tim Walz co-sponsor this?

All of the arguments here the past couple of weeks: It’s not that hard. Pick a new candidate and you’d have a chance. The Dems did it and are gonna win because of it. If Rs had gone Nikki Haley before Biden dropped out, this wouldn’t even be close. Trump can only win against a candidate at terrible as Biden.

What went wrong?

Trump won’t do anything to the Constitution. Thankfully, there are checks and balances to prevent that. It was simply another idiotic and far-fetched thing he tweeted. What’s important is that he suggested it, and would clearly welcome it if it were in fact possible. So when people assert that he “supports American principles,” I think it’s relevant to point out that Trump believes the Constitution should be waived. Brushed aside, and of course in a way that benefits himself. I can’t think of anything that is more antithetical to American principles. And, as you see above, not a single Trump voter will even acknowledge it. “Well, he would never really be able to change it.” Or….”I prefer his policies, that’s what’s important.” No one, even among military officers, can simply say, “yea, that tweet was really shitty and/or deeply concerning, but….”

Here's the problem green suiters never seem to understand about this tired "contractor deus ex machina" COA. Every.single.time the question gets posed in the real world (and it has, ad nauseam) it boils down to the same self-evident retort: "Where and for how much?". And the answer continues to be the same: "No thanks." The contractor undergraduate training pipedream cannot be scaled to the requirement, unless and until you get rid of the unholy Trinity: Laughlin, Columbus and Vance. I'd give details of what it takes to staff the place, but I don't want to doxx myself, plus I'm not even sure some of the stuff I've dealt with is fully JTR-kosher anyways, so 1 2 3 4 fifth. "Senator, that hooker was dead when I got to the gangbang....." 😄 BL, it is my lived experience that what you people want, cannot be had for what your bosses are willing to pay. A few townie-married check o the month types willing to teach "back waivered" UPT in a Grob are not going to save this enterprise. If you don't move the enterprise to metro USA, that COA is DOA. Reality. There's zero political will to move XL and CB. Reality. The number you get is equal to however many green bags you can non-volunteer to do the job for 3 years at a time + the aggregate cost of 7-day opts. Reality.

Absolute bull$hit. If Kamala had ever suggested “terminating the constitution,” you would be appalled and outraged. And you know it. There is zero chance you’d respond with “well, she says a lot of off-the-cuff dumb things” (which is absolutely true). ….. “she’s not really going to do it.” GMAFB You make excuses for Trump because he’s your guy. Period, end of story.

This. For real. I'd like to add the following. You're (american person) an idiot If you think real Americans would let him do it. I swore to uphold the constitution, not destroy it. Even if Im the last GD american fighting for the constitution. If I dont defend the constitution, all my homies and ancestors buried for the flag died for nothing....all of them. Edit: My conscious is clear. Im ok with GOD. I'll be one of the last ones fighting for the constitution, not a President. I'm Irish Catholic. We're used to fighting for our homeland and doing what's right. God, Family, Country. Fuck the queen. If you don't understand that, then you shouldn't be an American.

…Like “terminating the Constitution” when you lose an election?

I think Trump put his foot in his mouth one too many times. He could have said nothing until the election and could have ridden the ear shot to victory...What a dumbass. He comes from money and is the least Christian person to live in the White house. Im not a Democrat but I remember when Trump donated to them. I'm an average American who grew up poor, made something for myself and now own a home. I have nothing in common with Trump. My family has had nothing since we were forced move here from Ireland, because of the British (they still occupy Derry, where my mom's side came from). Trump is a wreslter, not a world leader. Guess what, I also dont like Biden or Harris. This election will be the hardest (sts) one I've participated in. But lets not pretend Trump is a good person. He chases the coin over God. More so than others that have been President.

Second that. As the boat guy, make sure people give you gas money. Not sure what condition the lake is in currently. However, I loved Laughlin. Going in as a guard guy knowing I won't get stuck there was an added bonus though. Theres been a smattering of new businesses opening up in Del Rio, so you've got that. Mesquite Creeks membership (if they still do it) is a must if you enjoy some brews with the classmates. 2 free beers a day when you go in. They've always got some fun events going on, as well as downtown Del Rio. Laughlin itself is meh. The golf course is flat and dry, but fun enough. Used to be good fishing in its ponds. Not sure if they have water anymore. Club XL is too expensive. Not bad once in a while though. They have some fun events once in a while on base. Just take advantage of what they offer. A lot of times they give you beer for volunteering for stuff which is fun. If you can, get out of the dorms and get a house with some dudes from your class. Makes it way more fun in my opinion. Then, when several people in your class have houses, do a house crawl on a weekend. Great times. Austin and San Antonio aren't too far of a drive. Big Bend is, but I've heard it was worth it. Wish I had gone. As far as UPT itself. The others have nailed it. Always be ready for whats next, but dont reach too far with the studying. I usually stayed in the flight room for 10-12 hours everyday even though we weren't on formal release for T6s, because I studied better there, and didn't wanted to be available for my classmates. Most of us did, and we had a super tight knit flight room. I'll second that boldface advice. I did one every night when I got home to have ready, and to help study. Like the others said, if you use your time effectively during the day, you can actually relax when you get home for the night. Be a good bro and you'll be fine.

Today is 1 August... On this date in 1955, Tony LeVier went for a taxi test on Groom Lake in a new Lockheed aircraft that had yet to be flown. However, the aircraft had different plans, and before he knew it, Tony was airborne in what was the unplanned 1st flight of the U-2. So today, the pressure-breathing, pressure-suited prima donnas celebrate 69 years above 69,000 feet. And tomorrow, over 25% of all living U-2 pilots on the planet will gather for an exceptional Homecoming to celebrate the solo flights of what could be the last class of U-2 trainees. Hail Dragons

I made it closer to space in a Huey. Good job China!