ClearedHot

PED is obviously more data than ever these days and searching for the diamond in the rough is a heavily AI/Data center reliant business. Given the data volumes and the target sets, I find it hard to believe that PED function can happen with a few more work stations on a dedicated airplane. It is almost certainly going to require BLOS reachback to a JOC/Ops Center with multiple 100GB Fiber Optic cables linked to a data fusion center. While Pacific ops are increasingly leaning on edge processing, that is more target-centric than the SOCOM soak and watch for months on end developing patterns of life concept. With 75 (if they ever get there), A1Ks it will be hard to justify a dedicated "other" airplane for ISR. More likely is the effort and discussion about replacing the C-146 fleet. As for the ANG....they placed their chips on the A1K table, hence they have the school house. While ANG Kung Foo for new airplanes is usually strong, keeping MC-130s in Harrisburg, the A1K school house and a C-146 replacement (for the reserves too), is a LOT of content and having run in the budgeting circles in the HQ and the five sided funny house, I doubt there is any appetite for more content....even if there was NGRIA because SOCOM still has to pay the O&M bill.

Sorry I don't see a need or requirement for such a platform...seems a one off. USAF and SOCOM have moved further and further away from the model you describe because manpower is expensive and they want fewer eyes on screens. While the U-28 had four people it only has two sensors. The PED was federated just like the A1K, but Skyraider has a third (actually could have four), and the flexibility to allow the off-board PED to control the sensor. Guessing you don't know how much processing power and how many radios/video feeds are on A1K. On the topic of Bronder...not fully for this forum but the battles over SCM and his general apathy delayed so much capability. Dude is a snarky arse without vision...enjoying the "rank" of his position. With a little less acid AFSOC would have had a LOT more strike power a LOT sooner.

1. Again, Bronder is a non-rated idiot. 2. What "other missions"? It does ISR, acts as a comm node, acts as a CC node, controls the stack, does CAS, does stand-off strike....truly confused. What is it not doing that the U-28 did? What mission sets do you need a new dedicated airframe to fulfill?

#1 Bronder is a complete buffoon...having dealt with him numerous times we will all be better off when he moves on. #2 The entire purpose of the A1K was to collapse the stack and reduce the need for so many manned assets. #3 I do not agree on your supposition of another requirement. The A1K can do everything the U-28 does and more...that drove the fleet size of 75.

A-1K has much of the same OFP as the U-28 (modernized), with double the range/endurance, a large weapons payload, and provisions for THREE (versus two), sensors. I can't think of a place the U-28 can go that the A-1K can't.

Another example of the pure lunacy of what used to be the far left but more and more in the center of the DNC. Liberals in Oregon have collected over 120,000 signatures for the Peace Act. What is the Peace Act you ask....in short it outlaws ALL hunting and fishing. It ends ALL farming of animals effectively requiring everyone in Oregon to become Vegan. So far 120,000 people (6% of the Oregon population), signed to get this on the ballot. https://www.yesonip28.org/

Well played...

Having grown up in Miami I could write a dissertation but the part primary reason is outlined above given their alliance to adversaries and willingness to host those hostile actors (luckily sans nuclear missiles thanks to Kennedy). Another reason not often discussed is their propensity to create and support instability in the region. Ever wonder why Maduro's protection force was mostly Cubans....? Cuba frequently provides intelligence sharing, operational training, and asylum to leftist radicals, guerrilla groups, and anti-establishment political movements around the world but mainly ones that destabilize Latin America. You might look up the ALBA alliance and Cuba efforts to foment chaos in Boliva. Finally, analysts and regional security forces have long accused the Cuban intelligence apparatus of infiltrating civil society organizations, leveraging state media to fuel anti-Western protests, and backing candidates hostile to U.S. interests. Way to close to home for me having so many Cuban friends growing up, it was a non-stop stories of things done to Cuban families both in Cuba, other Latin American Countries and in the U.S. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has a page dedicated to Cuba and they do a far better and more articulate job of giving details than I can.

On the tanker in a fighter...meh. Take an under-powered Gunpig to the tanker and hold position for ten minutes while you onload 35-40K. Your CG dramatically shifts WAY aft and you fall ever further behind the power curve with the throttles bent forward and bleeds off as you refuel to 10K over max peacetime weight. That is not just a combat situation, that is every ocean crossing...each one is done with a waiver. AR in the Gunpig is no joke and not a pickup game. Does that translate to the six ship diamond pass in review 18" from another jet for a show then march to the crowd line in your overly tight blue or red jumper...probably not. The most precise flying I've ever done was not in formation but was to ten feet of altitude and one knot of airspeed shooting 27M from the friendlies (one knot can make a 10' miss on the ground), basically across the street as the team was about to be overrun. Had another shoot on night three of OEF shooting in nearly 70 knot winds...imagine the defensive egg on its side, going up wind is great as everything slows WAY down and your bank angle gets low, downwind is like riding a bucking bronco, 45+ degrees of bank, maneuvering three dimensionally as you try to put the thing on the thing and push the trigger. Anyway, matters nothing more than a fun conversation, USAF is run by an Eagle dude again and the last thing he will do is surrender ground to the other than the fighter tribe. We have FAR bigger problems to solve right now.

Valid. I've seen the other side of the coin in AFSOC where they moved too much iron to the RTU. Syllabus events are rarely waived and most studs come out (sts), full up rounds. I can't believe we continue to use terms like "buy risk" for things that cost us blood.

Hasn't passing the buck been a consistent problem for the pointy nose folks for several years running? What could possibly go wrong?

An interesting article from my Marine War College classmate Andy Milburn on Israel's operation in Gaza. The Operational Case Against Israel’s Gaza Campaign

Just the 60 series, I thought it was the entire NTTR... Valid points, might have been a different story when I went through in the days of Orville and Wilbur where we all flew T-38's. You point about speeds not sure I am fully on board, some heavy platforms fly a lot of formation, closer than you would think and requiring some heavy brain power to maneuver a large formation around. Not at all a dick measuring contest, the pointy nose community certainly has the market cornered on going faster, closer and upside down so it is a much easier transition versus a Tanker bro that doesn't exceed 45 degree of bank. The real question would be is the juice worth the squeeze just to wear a tight red flight suit and sign autographs. It is great to see the Thunderchickens fly fast and make noise, great recruiting tool that we should probably leave alone given the other real issues that need to be fixed. My only real beef with the T-birds is the program has turned into another platform to make fighter GOs. But life isn't fair so move on. Quick funny story - during my tenure at the WIC my senior rater was the 57th Wing/CC. For my 2BPZ push to O-6 (which I made), the boss gave me a the highest strat in the wing, a strat that pissed off the then T-Bird/CC so much he later confronted me about it...Really Bra like it was my decision? Anyway, life isn't fair, move on.

F-35, F-15 may take A-10’s combat-search-and-rescue role: USAF chief “The reason why the A-10 is really good at that is because it's a core mission of that platform, and as we transition with putting the A-10 in the retirement phase, there will be other platforms that it will become their core mission,” Wilsbach said. “So F-35s, F-15s, other platforms have the capability."

Not on my bingo card....lucky no one was hurt. ABC NewsSinkhole shuts down runway at LaGuardia International Air...The runway, one of two at the airport, is expected to be closed until 6 a.m. ET Thursday,

AF378/DL8719 Denied entry to the USAir France 378 CDG-DTW is being "denied entry to the US for health reasons" and diverted to YUL due to "virus concerns". Unfortunately in the year of our lord 2026 "virus" could mean multiple things, but this is likely having something to do with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and the related emergency order banning noncitizens from DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda from entering the US. Maybe a name of a passenger alerted with past travel records? A situation to watch for sure. PYOKAir France Flight to Detroit Banned From Entering U.S. Ai...An Air France flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Detroit has reportedly been barred from entering U.S. airspace after officials became aware of a ‘virus’ on board the aircraft. Air France flight A

Have not seen any reports but it appears a T-6 from Vance AFB made a gear up landing at McConnell AFB yesterday? AQM_tS1xRWGRDP1Wo28twAPU4ofQXY5BmqGlUOGwNA9nZ-SzzGXSU3xrZ3q5DWfwj0cEOVLfMkYCJGKfFTJMzvJvpNy5Kqq4qQWtxyHPApmfsw.mp4

USAF taking an operational pause on ALL T-38s pending an as of yet undescribed inspection. Someone knows something or at least has an idea of a mechanical failure. U.S. Air Force T-38 Operational Pause From the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs "ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Out of an abundance of caution, the Air Force is implementing a fleet-wide operational pause for all T-38 Talon aircraft, impacting units across Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Force Global Strike Command. This pause in flight operations allows an ongoing Safety Board to locate and assess evidence from a May 12, 2026, T-38 mishap involving an aircraft assigned to Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The pause ensures the continued safety of Air Force personnel and equipment involved in flying T-38 operations while the investigation progresses. The duration of the pause remains undetermined pending further engineering analysis and development of an inspection process to clear aircraft for a safe return to flight. Inspections are anticipated to begin as early as this week. Individual aircraft may resume flying operations once the inspection process and, if necessary, any corresponding maintenance actions are complete. This operational pause strictly applies to the T-38 Talon fleet. Affected major commands are actively working to mitigate impacts to operations, training and readiness. During this period, aircrews will maximize simulator training to maintain proficiency and currency requirements."

We had a rental van in Germany year ago. We were flying down the autobahn when the dude in the passenger's seat rolled down the window....the combination of speed, airlfow and age on the van was just enough to tear the headliner loose.....BOOM....we were all suddenly sitting there covered in a cloud of insulation, it looked like a scene out of a movie, all we could do was laugh. Took us a while to get all the insulation out of our hair, teeth and flightsuits. The next day one of the guys super-glued the headliner back into place. We turned the van in a few days later and never heard a word.

Or more importantly put your arse in harm's way, dodging missiles and AAA while interpreting said ROE with the 6,000 mile screwdriver chirping in your ear because they have a soda-straw view of your fight from one sensor and obviously know better.

The weather and insane social benefits like free dental care for illegals. Spencer Pratt is making waves and his commercials are funny as hell!

Shifting back to a more tactical discussion it appears the Saudis and UAE are VERY upset by the latest attacks from Iran. Pakistan has now joined the Saudis and there is talk of a ground incursion into Iraq to target the threat vector directed at the Kingdom. Saudi has recalled 50,000 reservists. Pakistan has deployed a squadron of fighters and thousands of troops to the Kingdom...next few days are going to be interesting.

Did you hear the one about the lawyer that walks into a bar saying we should follow all the rules then proceeds to break all the rules...holy anger muffin someone needs some meditation and a trip to Costa Rica.