Aircraft

[xoxoxoBruce]

Pravda says...

The Pentagon has published a report, in which it was acknowledged that 50% of fifth-generation F-35 fighters were not suitable for combat action. Specialists have not been able to resolve a lot of technical deficiencies, which the renowned aircraft had been repeatedly criticised for. The efforts made have failed to improve the reliability of the fighters since 2014, despite the growth of their number. Improved versions of software for the fighter have had 31 updates, but key shortcomings have not yet been corrected. Thus, as many as 1,000 flaws make the F-35 fighter aircraft just common aircraft. For example, F-35B modifications for the Marine Corps and F-35C for aircraft carriers cannot be refuelled in the air.

[Gravdigr]

And they wouldn't tell ya wrong, now would they?

[xoxoxoBruce]

You're Putin me on.
But they have plenty of ammo to work with, the F-35 is a very fucked up program. Should be building Warthogs.

[Gravdigr]

Fuckin' A.

Slow and low, that is the tempo!

[BigV]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

snip--
Should be building Warthogs.

QFFT!

[Carruthers]

A drone or UAV is presently en-route from Grand Forks ND to RAF Fairford, England where it will be on static display at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

I've just done a couple of very quick screen grabs...





Click here for live tracking: FR24

I've just been looking at the Notam for this flight and find that it is neither a drone nor a UAV. It's a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.
I'm pleased to have been able to clear up that little misunderstanding.

[Undertoad]

But FlightTracker says type = "DRON"!

Good one, I see it circled for traffic before turning ESE and making landfall

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

But FlightTracker says type = "DRON"!

So it does! Well spotted, sir!

Good one, I see it circled for traffic before turning ESE and making landfall

There's a large restricted area out in Cardigan Bay where the circling took place.
It's used by Llanbedr airfield where drone development work is carried out.

A small airfield in Snowdonia is at the forefront of testing and developing unmanned drone aircraft (UAVs) for civilian use.

Tackling environmental issues such as coastal flooding and erosion and fisheries protection duties are just some of the tasks being undertaken as part of Project Meredith at Llanbedr airfield near Harlech.

The initiative, led by defence technology firm Qinetiq, is the first major UAV test and evaluation project at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, formerly RAF Llanbedr.

Jeremy Howitt of Qinetiq said the airfield at Llanbedr is ideal for the project and he wants it to become the UK’s main test centre for drones, which has attracted protests in the past.

Link

ETA It's just been brought to my attention that the drone is accompanied by a helicopter which is doing air to air photography.
Unless you zoom in, the chopper symbol can't be seen under N190TC.
I understand that is what was going on over Cardigan Bay.

[Undertoad]

Now just circling, they must be showing off.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Now just circling, they must be showing off.

And in remarkably close proximity to the GCHQ site at Cheltenham.

I feel a conspiracy theory coming on.

[BigV]

What is the difference between a unmanned aircraft and a remotely piloted aircraft?

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by BigV

What is the difference between a unmanned aircraft and a remotely piloted aircraft?

I'd be inclined to say none.

There's probably an element of managing public perception going on.
A remotely piloted aircraft sounds better than an unmanned aircraft which in turn sounds better, and less threatening, than drone.

[Undertoad]

Or indeed DRON!

Da doo ron ron ron

Da doo ron ron

[Carruthers]

From KVRR. Includes video.

Historic Flight for Unmanned Medium Altitude Aircraft Takes Off in Grand Forks

[xoxoxoBruce]

Trump had a large thermonuclear device hidden in the plane in case he's not satisfied with Theresa's blowjob.