Good morning BogiDope Community! We had about 50 folks on the Webinar last night with Husky Martin. In case you missed it, the Recording is attached here (and is posted to the Video Library). This Webinar is part of our 2026 Annual Training Plan and we look forward to hosting you all for the next one in April. Have a great week!

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China continues to bolster their military aviation presence and now more so via carriers! A few weeks ago I posted about China gaining another operational carrier and now we are seeing increasing numbers of J-15s being produced with testing off the carriers as well. The newest addition is a “growler” type J-15DT electro warfare jet.

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twz.com

Our Best Look At China’s New J-15DT Carrier-Based Electronic Warfare Jet

The J-15DT electronic attack jet is optimized for new catapult-equipped aircraft carriers, but may well also embark on older Chinese flattops. The J-15DT electronic attack jet is optimized for new catapult-equipped aircraft carriers, but may well also embark on older … Continue reading

Another siting of the “stealthy” Chinese 6th gen aircraft. Obviously still a lot of unknowns but this article is a good look into the possibilities of what this platform may offer in regards to capabilities you’ll have to defeat! UCAVs are suspected to be a big player.

http://www.twz.com/air/new-chinese-stealth-tactica-jet-breaks-cover

twz.com

New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

We breakdown the possibilities of what this new stealth aircraft could be and its potential mission. At this stage, it’s unclear if the new Chinese design is an advanced drone or yet another crewed combat jet.

That Hornet….

I’m not an airshow pilots – props to them – it is a super difficult and public job.

This commentators breaks down some of the video and gives his 2 cents. I think minute 3 and 8 are the best, and the last 60 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThjyTiXFlOo

You don’t have to bat a 1000

Let’s be real – public speaking is difficult. We do a great job here of getting you prepped for the rush and interview but I’m much rather face Flankers than small talk.

It can be helpful to turn off that part of your brain that is evaluating your performance. Easier said than done. Perhaps a more realistic tool is…

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This article may not be about flying in the cockpit or next generation of fighter trainers but with the current state of conflicts think it will have big impact on all flyers. Drones are a big issue at this very moment and there’s no sign in slowing down. Think about the cost of your typical off the shelf DJI vs a AIM-9 or AIM-120, a vastly…

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twz.com

Army Puts $43M Bet On Next Gen Leonidas High Power Microwave Counter Drone Tech

Epirus’ CEO says successful tests of the company’s Gen II system capable of rapidly taking down swarms of drones could lead to an official Program of Record.

What is Initial?

So if you’ve ever seen fighter come back to the airfield pattern looks way different that the one you learn in the mighty 172.

The Air Force overhead is essentially a descending 360 starting and ending at the landing zone (eg ‘the numbers’).

Subsequent aircraft in the formation delay thier ‘break turn’ to create a small upwind…

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Take a break and watch some jets!

5 minutes of awesome and then back to those apps.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0xFOQOEpLRI

The community is so small.

If I could have given one piece of advise to myself as a young aviator its this: the community is very very small.

While there are 10K-ish pilots in the USAF you tend to work day to day with similar types (fighter-fighter, airlift-airlift). and you tend to work with your same year group +/- 2 years. In my year…

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When can I….

Candidates often have these great questions about timing of the major transition points in a career. I’ll talk about this in depth on 21 Aug, but let’s cover some wavetops now.

Things to keep in mind, UPT slots and upgrades (to instructor pilot, mission/aircraft commander, etc.) are the most precious thing a squadron can bestow. …

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Does it ever get old? Does it ever get easy?

No.

Flew the mighty Viper yesterday on a local single ship pilot proficiency and currencies flight – landings, off station approaches, IFR/VFR procedures. Sorties where it’s just you and the chariot is rare – most of our training focuses on employing the weapons system as a team – and so yesterday…

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I want to be at this naming so bad.

Broke the boom. Broke the boom OFF! Broke the tanker! Since everyone is safe….I hope the strike eagle had to land with half the boom sticking out of the jet – it’s the stuff of legendary callsigns.

Antler, Bull (charged the boom…too cool),…

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theaviationist.com

KC-46 and F-15E Damaged After Air Refueling Mishap

The KC-46 was refueling F-15Es which were enforcing a Presidential Temporary Flight Restriction, with both aircraft involved in the mishap performing

And now explosions (after all that math).

https://youtu.be/RHGwPmsJMF8

Looks like Job security to me!

So I have an unhealthily love of graphs – and here’s an article that knows me. Aviation and Charts.

The author says the pilot shortage is shrinking but let’s look at Exhibit 2. The author makes some assumptions that I wouldn’t. Firstly, look at the mainline demand growth between 2023-2033 – while that…

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oliverwyman.com

North American Pilot Shortage Shows 23% Smaller Gap In 2032

The North American pilot shortage shows the gap shrinking with more pilot certifications and less demand from regional carriers. Details in our 2023 report.

A midnight pardon for the warthog!

It appears the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has given the A-10 a stay of execution. This year’s original funding bill zeroed out the hawg in 2026, but the SASC has put the A-10 back in (along with some E-7 and F-35s).

FWIW this is part of the 15-year saga within the USAF. Do we keep the jets we have…

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defensenews.com

Some A-10 Warthogs may dodge retirement under proposed Senate bill

The DOD's fiscal 2026 budget calls for the Air Force to retire its remaining 162 A-10 attack planes. The Senate's version would have the service keep 103.

BD! Check thid article out about the FALCO testing on the A-10! Maybe this will be the mission that keeps the hawg around for the next 20 years! Either way, it is awesome technology and relavent to today’s mission.

twz.com

A-10 Warthog Already Has The Capability To Use Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot-Down Drones

The A-10 could be a uniquely capable drone hunter and they already have the ability to use APKWS rockets to do it, but its career is set to end before it gets the chance.

The AIM-120 has been the workhorse of the USAF and really the DOD forces since 1991! For everyone like me that “feels” the 90’s were a few years ago, it places the 120 at over 34 years old! And that’s only the IOC date. As with any system new advancements are needed to keep forces relevant and capable with the enemy. This article discusses how…

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twz.com

AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Funding To Start Production Sought In New Budget

The AIM-260A is being developed as a far longer-ranged replacement for the workhorse AIM-120 air-to-air missile.