Sky and BBC haven't been covering the UN announcements. Am I right in thinking the drills start in 1 hour? Hmmm might be worth keeping an eye on things.
Seems it was a British resolution backed by the Americans and French to severely reprimand the North that the Russians and Chinese rejected. So, we were taking the lead were we?
Its on the ticker - but apparently people queuing up at Heathrow and St Pancras to catch a train is more important than an imminent war involving a rogue state with nuclear weapons
Its on the ticker - but apparently people queuing up at Heathrow and St Pancras to catch a train is more important than an imminent war involving a rogue state with nuclear weapons
I presume they're writing the story now. The BBC usually prefers multiple sources, and not just a take-on-word regurgitated AP or Reuters release, like all the other sites so far.
And you can bet Channel 4 News has Lindsey heading there right now on a plane....
If there was a war imminent we would suddenly find we could afford them. They aren't out of date, BTW.
In fact keeping them would be cheaper, by a long way, than replacing them.
I know a Harrier pilot, he assures me that for 25% of the cost of the replacement the Harrier could be upgraded and be more than adequate. Furthermore in all dog-fight simulations and mocks the Harrier out-performs the replacement runs for longer on the same amount of fuel.
Mothballing the Harrier to "save money" so we can replace it with a more expensive alternative is bad book keeping and very short sighted.
If there was a war imminent we would suddenly find we could afford them. They aren't out of date, BTW.
I agree about finding the money :rolleyes:
The aircraft are old -
Between 1969 and 2003, 824 Harrier variants were delivered. While manufacture of new Harriers concluded in 1997, the last remanufactured aircraft (Harrier II Plus configuration) was delivered in December 2003 which ended the Harrier production line.
Well the drill finished about 5 am our time. It's whether NK wants to respond. I figure if they don't do it today then they won't at all as any later would seem odd to the people.
The aircraft are old -
Between 1969 and 2003, 824 Harrier variants were delivered. While manufacture of new Harriers concluded in 1997, the last remanufactured aircraft (Harrier II Plus configuration) was delivered in December 2003 which ended the Harrier production line.
Tornado GR4's are even older and were kept instead of the Harriers. A last minute U-turn in the Defence Review which has not been explained. The 1969 vintage Harriers are long gone for scrap. The GR9s (aka Harrier II) aren't new, but they've been kept up to date and still are very capable. The US Marines (who have similar planes of the same age) certainly think so.
10-15 years old for airframes is not excessive these days, and it's flying hours that matter anyway not calendar age. With military aircraft the age and capability of the avionics is much more important.
So they certainly could do a job in Korea if it came to it. They only stopped operational flying last week.
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiYuq6Ac3a0
Best game intro ever.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101220/ts_nm/us_korea_north_drills
It's like a countdown to the Lost finale!
What a postmodern society we've become.
I think both sides are looking for a mini scrap. SK feels humiliated by the last attack and NK wants to show they're strong. Trouble!
Anything could happen in the next 24 hrs *drummroll**
Well its the headline on BBC News.
Its on the ticker - but apparently people queuing up at Heathrow and St Pancras to catch a train is more important than an imminent war involving a rogue state with nuclear weapons
I presume they're writing the story now. The BBC usually prefers multiple sources, and not just a take-on-word regurgitated AP or Reuters release, like all the other sites so far.
And you can bet Channel 4 News has Lindsey heading there right now on a plane....
Plus, snow is exciting.... :P
In fact keeping them would be cheaper, by a long way, than replacing them.
I know a Harrier pilot, he assures me that for 25% of the cost of the replacement the Harrier could be upgraded and be more than adequate. Furthermore in all dog-fight simulations and mocks the Harrier out-performs the replacement runs for longer on the same amount of fuel.
Mothballing the Harrier to "save money" so we can replace it with a more expensive alternative is bad book keeping and very short sighted.
I don't think he's been pulling the strings for 2 or 3 years.
He looks...... very strokey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9brieNuDUqM
:eek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1blRT2hi10
I agree about finding the money :rolleyes:
The aircraft are old -
Between 1969 and 2003, 824 Harrier variants were delivered. While manufacture of new Harriers concluded in 1997, the last remanufactured aircraft (Harrier II Plus configuration) was delivered in December 2003 which ended the Harrier production line.
Bingo:
DPRK says "not worth reacting" to South Korea's artillery drill
10-15 years old for airframes is not excessive these days, and it's flying hours that matter anyway not calendar age. With military aircraft the age and capability of the avionics is much more important.
So they certainly could do a job in Korea if it came to it. They only stopped operational flying last week.