Clark Griswold

So I saw the Snowbirds are retiring the CT-114 Tutors with CT-157 Siskins (PC-21s) https://aviationweek.com/defense/light-attack-advanced-training/canada-commits-pc-21s-replace-snowbirds-team and I knew their demo team came from all career communities in the RCAF, kinda has to because of the size of the RCAF and need to cast a wide net then. So I thought with the T-7 eventually becoming the universal trainer for the USAF why not re-equip the Thunderbirds with T-7s, open the application to all MAJCOMs and build a demo team from the entire AF rated pilot communities? Why? Represents the whole of the Air Force better; inspires, motivates and invigorates new pilots to reach for this opportunity thus bettering their communities; reduces the stovepipe cultural problem across the rated force and invigorates the demo team as a concept with this new direction. Yeah, there’s some staff guy writing in that paragraph but I think it would be a good thing just because you’re telling the other guys, we want you to represent the flying skills and traditions of the Air Force in this very important way. Training, costs, risk, implementation and all factors are important but I argue here for the concept, not details. I yield the floor…

It was not to be…. https://theaviationist.com/2026/05/16/aeralis-collapses-ending-british-advanced-jet-trainer/

It’s possible but if they select it, I doubt it would be them choosing it vs being told YOU WILL CHOOSE THIS. Since they are less concerned with actual FCLPs but only planning on FCLPs to waive off, they might make the USN buy the T-7 to get the program healthier / maybe a decent price per USN T-7 tail.

Ruskies are building a family model Felon https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2021/07/30/russian-two-seater-su-57-stealth-jet-is-aimed-at-exports-controlling-killer-drones/

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2026/05/04/air-force-clears-t-7a-red-hawk-for-low-rate-production/

Probably too expensive with mods done to them with hours already on the airframe and they might have other plans for them (stored but could be regenerated, foreign military sales/gift, etc…) The new Compass Call is also a Gulfstream, seems like the AF is consolidating around that company for its business jet based platforms

Concur Gulfstream also has a military variants ready if that could grease the skids further (domestic supplier) https://www.gulfstream.com/en/aircraft/special-missions/ I’m surprised this idea of smaller manned HVAA platforms for C2, EA, ISR, AR, etc… has not taken hold and the AF shifting that way. Unmanned and space based eventually but large cabin sized biz jet based systems are the low risk, capabilities TODAY to get to the next stage. I might see the need for some manned large (transport category platform) multi mission platforms but for strategic patrol / monitoring missions. But it would need to do it all, active and passive collection, over very long ranges, if it made sense.

Yup One more example of the 6500 already having types for missions we need https://theaviationist.com/2025/09/30/kai-rokaf-electronic-warfare-aircraft-program/ All the work has been done https://bombardier.com/en/defense/virtual-showroom Disclaimer: I own 0.0 shares of Bombardier

Already have an AWACS version Skies MagBombardier Defense receives firm order for two Global 650...The Global 6500 aircraft has a top speed of Mach 0.90 and a maximum range of 6,600 nautical miles (12,223 kilometres).I swear the solutions are out there to so many problems, already done, but our FUBAR acquisitions process as represented here just makes it impossible unless the right districts get the right contracts…

Concur Unmanned air breathing and space based is the eventual solution but if king for a day I’d like a manned / unmanned team now, RQ- something plus the E-11 or something more ambitious, bigger manned jet maybe with links and active sensors, BACN plus AWACS. There’s an opportunity to coalesce around one manned platform type to get a lot of what we need, the Global 6500, could be that. BACN, AWACS, Medevac, Tactical Tanker, but I digress…. It’s also the platform the Army is using for it’s HADES jet, this could be one of the few joint platforms that could satisfy two chicks / services at the same time Two jets at the same time….

Google AI says POTUS has a 6.5 billion net worth with estimated 2.1 billion liquid, put in $500 million and call a few friends and save this company

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spirit-airlines-could-shut-down-as-soon-as-saturday/

The War ZoneAir Force Wants To Axe Its E-11A BACN Communications JetsThe Air Force wants space-based systems to take over from the E-11A in providing critical data fusion and communications relay capabilities. The Air Force wants space-based systems to take over from t

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/30/americas/us-commercial-flights-venezuela-american-airlines-latam-intl Commercial service returns from USA to Venezuela Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RIP DAC

Turboprop vs drones stuff The War ZoneUkraine’s Drone-Hunting An-28 Turboprop Is Now Launching...The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop counter-drone platform combines interceptor drones and Minigun armament. The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop cou

USAF VIP Bus

https://time.com/article/2026/04/25/falkland-islands-javier-milei-trump/ The Administration can “review” if they want but they need to state NO change in status via military action by Argentina would be supported.

Valid point It’d probably only be airline like in type jet flown though, with as many pilots as they would have to cycle thru an FY, it would have to move a quick pace methinks. 3 months for type course plus added training. Academics, PTT / FTDs and Sims plus observation rides. 1 month allocated for 10 training flights, I’d keep it pretty simple and all local to knock it out. 1.0, launch to rendezvous nearby with another 320 to a precontact position, hold it for 3 minutes, depart & recover to base, 1 GA or discontinued app, land out of next approach. Swap seats with your training buddy as you’ve been riding jump (another reason this would need to be in the Bus). 3 flights in your syllabus would be as a simulated tanker. 2 months to get 6 trips accomplished. 4 day trips to bounce around the system. 2 student pilots allocated to a trip, team certified after 3 trips, IPs supervise from jump trips 4-6.

Yeah but we don’t practice it completely, not really a self critique no one follows their professed ideology perfectly as none divide evenly into reality, there’s always some remainder, capitalism just happens to have the smallest remainder requiring less objectionable exceptions compared to the others. As to the buy in at Spirit, this would never happen but I’d rather see Uncle Sam buy some of their iron, equipment, facilities and mx support and acquire some 320 family aircraft for added Air Lift and Transport category experience for new AMC bound aviators. Because it’s the government even a company in distress would get better than market price but the jets, parts, AGE, sims, etc… could be had now, no waiting. First assignment out of UPT for all AMC and other big wing bound pilots. Manned and run by AF Reserves based at/near airline domiciles, hip shot for basing: Travis AFB for west coast, JRB Ft Worth for central, Andrews AFB for east coast. Bus type course, 10 training flights then a six month tour, on your way… Get a combi conversion for people and cargo Not a bad looking jet…

U.S. Government eyes using Title 3 ‌of the Defense Produc...Trump administration could invoke Title 3 ‌of the Defense Production Act that allows the U.S. government to invest in industrial capacity to ensure supply chains for national defense. The Defense Pro

True, I would just try to make accomplishing those beans as easy as possible to accomplish, there is a bit of pencil whipping to that I’ll admit but with everything trade offs, compromise, risk acceptance, etc… are facts of life.

Honest question, could they convert to an F-16, 15, etc…, keep an air to air capability but make it a sim only CT event and yearly live fly exercise or something that could keep the Attack Mission with focus on CAS but retain some Air to Air capacity, honing it if required but always kept to at least a simmer? Modified RTM that is.

Imgflipbuford t justicehttps://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/04/20/us-air-force-extends-a-10-warthog-through-2030/