Smack-Meier
Exam Ready
USAF Pilot
Smack-Meier posted an update 4 months ago
The world has truly come full-circle. The air defense of Ukraine is now being augmented by World War 1 tactics; Red Baron style! Ukrainian civilian pilots flying antique trainers are taking to the sky with a backseat “gunner” to down Russian ISR drones, loitering munitions, and one-way attack drones. This is a great writeup by the WSJ with…
twz.com
This Is How Ukrainian Yak-52 Crews Hunt Russian Drones
Although only small in number, the propeller-driven trainers and their crews' World War I tactics are claimed to be enjoying success in bringing down Russian drones. Although only small in number, the propeller-driven trainers are reportedly enjoying disproportionate success in … Continue reading
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Smack-Meier posted an update 4 months ago
The next B-21 Raider is in the hands of the USAF and alleged to be still on track for an IOC of the mid-2020s. Nice to see positive news/progress out of the test world. With the recent setbacks of both the T-7 and F-15EX, a new on-time (for now) airframe feels good.
Of consequence to the BD fam, there are several ANG/AFRC positions…aviationweek.com
Second B-21 Enters Flight Test In Palmdale | Aviation Week Network
The B-21 Raider program completed the first flight of a second airborne test aircraft in Palmdale, California, on Sept. 11, clearing a key milestone a month before the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. Air Force contract award to Northrop Grumman.
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Smack-Meier posted an update 5 months ago
A new company has jumped into the fray for the T-45 replacement. As the possible future of USN/USMC tactical training, there are a few things that stood out to me:
-The T-7 (USAF next-gen trainer) is already in the USN competition. So possibly disrupting joint training commonality?
-The airframe is advertised to meet a much faster timeline than…
aviationweek.com
New Competitor Looks To Upend U.S. Navy Trainer Competition | Aviation Week Network
SNC’s Freedom proposal looks to revive a carrier-representative landing practice requirement for the T-45 replacement.
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Smack-Meier posted an update 5 months ago
And the UPT changes keep coming. Both Columbus and Pensacola are nearing 100% divestment of the T-1. The next event on the horizon looks like the T-7, even if it is delayed. What does that look like for a BD guy? MAF-centric training will still be sim heavy and eventual T-38 transition to the T-7.…
theaviationist.com
451st Flying Training Squadron Celebrates T-1A Jayhawk, Final Assigned Jet Retires
End of an era as final Jayhawk departs Pensacola, marking shift to all-simulator training for Combat System Officers. The 451st Flying Training Squadron
1 Comment
I’m with you – I’m very doubtful they’ll use the T-7 on the MAF side. Now that they’ve proven the viability of sims I don’t think they’ll go back.
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Smack-Meier posted an update 5 months ago
Say it with me: “Fox-3, hostile Viper”
Top Aces F-16A sporting a new Su-57 inspired paint scheme out of AZ. The advent of civilian contract adversary support is upon us, and is a huge leap forward in US tactical training. These companies have deep benches of experience, advanced systems, and expanding arsenals of aircraft. Lots of future…
theaviationist.com
Let’s Take Another Look at the Top Aces F-16 Sporting a Russian Su-57 ‘Felon’ Paint Scheme
A recent mission of Top Aces’ F-16 N871TA provided another opportunity to see the jet’s striking Felon-inspired livery. As already reported in detail in
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Smack-Meier posted an update 5 months ago
So, you got a UPT slot and earned your wings. Now what? There is still a bunch of school left to complete between wings and MQT. One of those schools is SERE, or survival school. Here you will learn to survive an ejection, on the ground, evade, and get rescued. You will also learn what to do if you’re NOT rescued.…
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Smack-Meier posted an update 5 months ago
Aside from the gun, the AIM-9 is the most ubiquitous (and well-loved) of all the air-to-air tools. Sure AMRAAM goes further, but it’s also too smart for its own good. For almost 70 years now, the AIM-9 has held down the fort for all red-blooded, “heaters and guns” only fighter pilots.
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Smack-Meier posted an update 5 months ago
BD Crew,
Here is a great example of what squadrons are trying to discern in potential candidates. They are looking for someone who has the aptitude and mental fortitude to handle weird situations like this. This Strike Eagle crew flew approx 9 hours across the Indian Ocean and SCS, then executed a landing WITHOUT a main landing…
defensenews.com
Kadena to inspect F-15Es after fighter landed without wheel
An F-15E Strike Eagle that took off from Diego Garcia on Monday discovered mid-flight that one of its wheels was missing.
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Smack-Meier posted an update 7 months ago
Wild stuff still coming out of Ukraine. Recently, Ukrainian SOF infiltrated almost 250 miles into Russia and destroyed 4x Su-34s on the ground. As a primary strike platform, the Su-34 is Russia’s most advanced ground attack platform and has likely been responsible for many standoff attacks on Kiev. Coupled with the recent drone attack, Ukraine…
kyivpost.com
Ukrainian Special Forces Destroy 4 Enemy Warplanes Deep in Russia’s Volgograd
Ukraine’s Special Operation Forces report that four Su-34 bombers were destroyed. The attack follows Ukraine’s recent success in targeting enemy aviation deep inside Russia.
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Smack-Meier posted an update 7 months ago
Next year may look significantly different than expected for the USAF. The divestment of the A-10 looks to be accelerated by about 2 years, but the F-15EX still looks to be moving forward. Fewer F-35s will likely be procured (sure to hinder the ANG conversion efforts) with F-47 continuing to inch closer to IOC.
The biggest data point here,…
defensenews.com
US Air Force to retire all A-10s, cancel E-7 under 2026 spending plan
The Air Force wants to retire hundreds of older aircraft, including the entire Warthog fleet, to free up money for future planes.
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