Shadow

It looks like a Rafale downed a Libyan G-2 trainer. Though some reports say it was hit as it was on the runway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12850975

Libya plane news:

Canada and Denmark have now engaged in actual combat (as opposed to just patrol/escort).

Italy's Harriers on the Garibaldi in the area, but not deployed. Naval Rafales now operating from the De Gaulle but I don't know if they've actually bombed yet.

Sweden's Gripens on standby and are "requested" by Nato, but Sweden won't deploy until it's confirmed who will be leading the coalition and the order of battle after the US stands down from the lead next week.

Turkey has committed Naval forces but still adamantly opposed to air operations.

Also, Libya has SA-24 SAMs guarding Tripoli. This is more advanced than most anything else out there and Libya's not supposed to have them. Basically a bad-ass version of the Stinger with a 20,000ft envelope.

I can't find any info on an SA-24, let alone something of that sophistication in Libyan hands Or were you referring to the SA-18?

To comment on the F-14. The airframe just wouldn't be suited for an FSW as pointed out already. It was meant for the interception role and fleet protection. I read it's agility wasn't that far off from that of the F-4 actually.

A few of Ghadafi's airfields have been struck so I wonder just how many aircraft would be left at his disposal. The largest number of types I last read they had were Mig-23s and Su-22s.

Well it's good to hear both crew members were recovered safely and by friendly forces.

B-2s have been confirmed to have attacked a Libyan airfield aswell. Not sure how reliable this report is.

http://deepbluehorizon.blogspot.com/2011/03/b-2-stealth-bombers-pound-libyan.html

WASHINGTON — Three US B-2 stealth bombers have dropped 40 bombs on a major Libyan airfield.

There was no immediate official confirmation of the attack.

On Saturday, the United States unleashed a barrage of Tomahawk missiles against the Libyan regime's air defenses, but ruled out using ground troops in what President Barack Obama called a "limited military action".

Nineteen U.S. warplanes, including stealth bombers and fighter jets, conducted strike operations in Libya on Sunday morning, officials said.

Tomahawk cruise missiles are unmanned and fly close to the ground, steering around natural and man-made obstacles to hit a target programmed into them before launch.

A senior U.S. military official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the cruise missiles landed near the city of Misrata and the capital, Tripoli.

Scores of missiles were fired in the pre-dawn darkness, and the exact results of the mission were not immediately clear. The United States is expected to conduct a damage assessment of the sites.

The salvo, in an operation dubbed "Odyssey Dawn," was meant "to deny the Libyan regime from using force against its own people," Gortney said.

British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said the Royal Air Force deployed Tornado GR4 fast jets, which flew 3,000 miles from the United Kingdom and back -- making the venture the longest-range bombing mission conducted by the force since the Falklands conflict in 1982.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the international mission "is necessary, it is legal, and it is right."

"I believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people," Cameron said late Saturday night.

But Gadhafi remained defiant, saying Libya will fight back against undeserved "naked aggression."

Hmmm, I thought this was a no-fly zone, not a "kill the tank zone" at least according one news report, there is action going on versus non-air defense assets. This is going to be a mess.

It looks like the operation was expanded to protect Libyan citizens from both Qaddafi's air and ground units which explains the Rafales attacking Libyan armor.

The best air defenses I've seen on the news that the rebels have are those mobile AA guns and the SA-7. (Unless they have a few SA-6s.) Not sure if the Strela had the range to down the Mig-23 from the footage shown.

It looks like the media is already moving onto to other stories which isn't surprising.

I tried contacting my old homestay family but haven't heard back yet. They were living in the Yokohama area when I stayed with them but that was 4 years ago so I'm hoping they haven't ended up closer to the disaster area since then.

My local id'ed it as a Mig 23.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1117530/1/.html

Yep, a Flogger.

I heard the US is providing more logistical and AWACS support so would that mean the French Rafale would see more time over a No-Fly zone then say, the Super Hornet?

Japan has a tendency to reject US aid in times of need, I don't know why, it's not like we're the Chinese whom the Japanese really dislike. I wouldn't be surprised if their PM resigns over the handling of the disaster at the plant.

Fortunately the Kan government has had alittle more sense to ask for help then the administration during the big Kobe earthquake in the 90s. Though, wasn't the 7th Fleet already steaming towards Japan as early as Friday? Plus all of the US bases like Yokota and Misawa are going to be in aid/relief mode.

Not sure if this should be mentioned here but Space Shuttle Discovery made a successful final landing today. Sad to see it finally being retired.

I can't help but think that Mitsubishi Motors is just putting the nails into its own coffin with this move. They've been struggling for awhile now and I don't see how jumping onto the EV bandwagon is going to get them out of their hole. Still hoping Subaru doesn't decide to follow the same route. I understand the need to go to alternative energy although I think hydrogen electric is the better long term alternative than just pure electric.

Well it looks like Mitsubishi is bringing the Lancer Evolution line to an end in favor moving the company towards EV vehicles.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/02/report-mitsubishi-official-says-evo-franchise-is-dead/

According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

To that end, Autocar indicates that Mitsubishi will release eight fully-electric or hybrid-electric cars by the time 2015 rolls around, and make a grab for a big portion of the CO2-reduction market share. It goes without saying that the fun-yet-fuel-swilling Evo just doesn't fit that mindset, particularly since it apes a rally car that no longer exists.

Despite the Evo's huge popularity, Mitsubishi apparently isn't scared of the step and says it's confident that consumers will glom on to the idea and rally behind the brand. By killing the Evo, they're making their intentions plain to an increasingly environmentally-conscious car-buying public.

Eusegi killed dead any notion that the brand would roll out a performance-oriented hybrid as well. "Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles. Maybe then we can enter the market agian," he said.

This report of the Evo's death would seem to stand in contrast to multiple reports that an Evo XI is in the works with a hybrid drivetrain. We're taking this latest Autocar missive with a few grains of salt, as we can see how Eusegi may have simply meant that an Evo that relies exclusively on internal combustion is dead – a hybrid Evo would seem to offer a nice technological bridge to Mitsubishi's more electrically minded future. Hat tip to Dennis!

I guess this all closes the door on any possible return to the WRC for the company aswell. I hope this doesn't impact the WRX and STi since their main rival will be gone.

Always liked the design of the F1. The Libyan's kept them is pretty good shape surprisingly.

Unless this isn't new, it looks like the debate is heating up in Japan between choosing the Typhoon or the F-35.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110225f3.html

Speaking of forgotten aircraft exatly how good was the F-20 Tigershark? How well did it compare to its contemporaries, and how would it have fared in combat against say a mig-21 or 23?

I'd imagine the Tigershark would wipe the floor with a Fishbed or Flogger. It would probably give a Mig-29 or Su-27 more then a rough time aswell in a close in dogfight.

Adding to the above statement. I'd like to see current F1 drivers in the old F1 cars from the 60s and the monsters from the 80s. Same with current WRC drivers in the old Group B machines.

We need Clint Eastwood to go over and steal one.

An interesting line drawing and comparison of the F-22, T-50 and J-20 in terms of size.

Was surprised how small it actually makes the Raptor look.

That PLA fighter looks like it was meant more for the interceptor role than tactical fighter one. A stealthy Foxbat/Foxhound.

Been playing through Gran Turismo 5. So far I've been kinda "meh" about it. There are some really great aspects to this game like the new driving physics. The tracks with weather and time changing affects are simply awesome to watch. The disappointed me in other areas though. Many of the original tracks didn't seem to get much of a visual boost. The non-premium cars are basically ported directly from GT4 with some visual tweaks. Despite there being 1000+ cars, they still excluded some that I thought really deserved a spot on the list (Ferrari 599, Koenigsegg CCR, etc.)Yet they put in about 20 or so different versions of the Honda S2000. Haven't gotten very far into it yet and haven't tampered with the track editor yet but this is my initial impression so far.

Oh yes, Has anyone tried Apache Air Assault? I tried the demo and I thought it was pretty good, especially when the flight characteristics are set to realistic.

An update on the missing pilot. Evidence shows that he did not escape the crash.

I send my condolences to the family.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123231773

11/19/2010 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force officials here announced that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the pilot of the F-22 Raptor missing since the night of Nov. 16 did not survive the crash.

Capt. Jeffrey Haney, assigned to the 3rd Wing's 525th Fighter Squadron, has been missing since the crash, however, a thorough search and rescue operation continued until today.

Captain Haney, from Clarklake, Mich., was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in August 2003 and has been stationed here since June 2006.

"Based on evidence recovered from the crash site, and after two days of extensive aerial and ground search efforts, we know that Captain Haney did not eject from the aircraft prior to impact," said Col. Jack McMullen, 3rd Wing commander.

A recovery team at the crash site found a part of the ejection seat, along with several life support items that Captain Haney wore during the flight.

"Sadly, we can no longer consider this a search and rescue operation, but must now focus on recovery operations," Colonel McMullen said.

"We are all extremely saddened by the loss of this great American, Airman and friend," the colonel continued. "Captain Haney will be missed by the entire 3rd Wing and the (Joint Base Elmendorf) community.

"Right now, our focus is on Jeff's family," Colonel McMullen said. "We mourn their loss, and they are in our thoughts and prayers. We are doing everything in our power to offer them support and aid them during this time of grief."

The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at 7:40 p.m. Alaska time, Nov. 16, while on a nighttime training mission. Search and rescue aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard's 11th Rescue Coordination Center discovered the wreckage of the aircraft Nov. 17 in a remote, rugged area approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage near Denali National Park.

Airmen and Soldiers from the 3rd Wing, the 673nd Air Base Wing and U.S. Army Alaska's 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade converged on the site Nov. 17 and 18 with assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard to continue the search for the pilot and prepare for recovery of the aircraft wreckage.

Recovery operations are currently underway and are expected to last several weeks. Air Force officials are standing up a safety investigation board to determine the cause of the mishap.

The Air Warrior Courage Foundation has set up an education fund for Captain Haney's children. For information, please contact Capt. Tyler Ellison at 551-5250 or via e-mail at ellisonTM@hotmail.com.

The F-35's underside just looks funky to me with all those bulges. The Rafael still wins the beauty contest for me.

Well the 2012 Ford Focus ST is in the works and will be coming to this side of the pond. No word on an RS version yet. It's power numbers seem to put it right between the VW GTI and cars like the WRX and Mazdaspeed 3. Not real fond of the grille compared to the Mk.2 Focus though but it's still much better then the current Focus design sold in the US.

http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Ford/2012-Ford-Focus-ST-3.jpg

There is also a Ford Fiesta ST in the works.

Hmm, imagine being able to fit the F135 engines into a Raptor instead of the 119s. Be quite a boast to its power to weight.

The F136 is meant solely for the STOVL B model correct? Would that include both the USMC and British versions? Silly question, I know.