Posted on 01/06/2020 8:50:17 PM PST by blueplum
Full Title: U.S. Air Force warns Iran with huge show of strength as 52 fully-armed F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters worth $4.2 BILLION take off in a single wave after 'elephant walk' along Utah base runway
The U.S. Air Force has performed a huge show of strength by launching more than 50 fully-armed Lightning II stealth fighters in a single wave following an elephant walk down the runway. The 52 F-35A aircrafts, which are worth a whopping $4.2 billion, took off in quick succession from the Hill Air Force Base in Utah on Monday. The exercise carried out by the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings showed the Air Force's ability to deploy a large force of the F-35As. While the exercise has been planned for several months, the execution...
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
So... next week, then...
They have more than a few new, modern systems. This was as of four years ago: https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2016-11/news-briefs/russia-completes-s-300-delivery-iran
The problem with that idea is that even with the mid-life SLEP, the AGM-86 hit end of life in 2019-2020. Electronic components only last so long - especially in equipment designed to be expendable. At this point, the AGM-86 isn’t considered reliable; the crew may hit launch and the thing just falls off the pylon without igniting the engine. Or it may launch, go off course and explode. Missiles have finite lifespans.
Pretty much, but again, the ‘52 isn’t nearly the initial threat it used to be - technology has moved on and the F-35 is far more threatening in terms of destroying defenses. The ‘52 is what happens to your country after your defenses are destroyed.
It can carry cruise missiles such as the AGM-86 or the JASSM-ER.
The AGM-129 ACM was retired in 2007 to placate some BS treaty with the Russians.
And the AGM-86C has been retired too.
Only the nuclear armed AGM-86B, and the conventional JASSM-ER is available.
Hi.
Happy New Year.
As you know air defenses would be suppressed by various means. Buffs have ECM and other counter measures.
Imho, we wouldn’t lose one BUFF.
5.56MM
Oh, I'm not so sure about that:
Mullahs will claim it’s a photo shop and that there were only a dozen planes doing touch and goes.
Jimmah was scared of a Soviet response.
That's what the first 52 F-35's are for.
7
Jimmah was scared of a Soviet response.
..
and killer rabbits.
More like a swarm of locusts. — very deadly locusts.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.