Raptor gets it's baptism of fire in Syria?

originally posted by: LDragonFire
Pilots are afraid or refuse to fly it?

"were" is more like it. I think you are referring to 2 specific pilots in '12 during the O2 problems that spoke to the press.

a reply to: LDragonFire

They cost 3-4 times what the estimates was due to cutting the number to about 1/4 what was originally planned. This shoved the development costs onto less platforms. If followed through, they'd have cost no more than say an F-35 or a F15SE.

They were grounded for a few months. They're fully in service with many upgraded and combat ready. They haven't been used as they flat out weren't needed. Cheaper. older platforms sufficed.

Tangle with one and you're gonna have a 'bad hair day'.....

originally posted by: nwtrucker
a reply to: Nettlas

Consider yourself corrected...LOL. Perhaps, PERHAPS, close to the Raptor, but not a match.

The only sure point that I know of that is superior is range..that's it!

heck, if the Russians have anything better than f 22, which they most likely do, the outside world will not know about it.
They probably have force multipliers that may render obsolete anything the outside world can currently dream about. Trust me even though I have used the word probably

Here's the Pentagon press release of the aircraft used.

www.washingtonpost.com... 716_story.html

The Pentagon deployed a mix of aircraft, including B-1 bombers, armed Reaper drones and several types of fighter jets Monday. Among them was the F-22 Raptor, an advanced stealth fighter that has been in the Air Force’s fleet for a decade but until Monday had never been used in combat.


The Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched by two warships, the USS Arleigh Burke in the Red Sea and the USS Philippine Sea in the Persian Gulf. Also participating in the airstrikes were Navy F/A-18 Hornet fighters flying from the USS George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

a reply to: Nochzwei

I'm just a fan/student. I "know" nothing. I do, however, listen, read and watch those that do.

There is almost no point where the Russians have EVER exceeded the U.S. in aircraft. Good, yes. Better?? Nope.

So when you say "likely", I say "show me". I say highly unlikely. It approaches the area code of outright bull....

I know the new camera pods they put on Angelfire-equipped surveillance craft can certainly target with images that clearly (probably even better!). Depending on the distance to target, those images could have been taken miles away from a decent altitude.

a reply to: MystikMushroom

If all the footage was from the same platform that loitered over that target for as long as it looked like it did, I image it would have to be at a decent altitude to not be noticed circling in the daytime and also not be picked up on radar.

originally posted by: MystikMushroom
I know the new camera pods they put on Angelfire-equipped surveillance craft can certainly target with images that clearly (probably even better!). Depending on the distance to target, those images could have been taken miles away from a decent altitude.

If it was a reaper like the quote from theabsolutethruth says it is probably using the Gorgon Stare II. Here is a link to Sammamishman's Thread a couple weeks ago.

Or maybe it's the x47b with some upgraded optics?


IMHO it's not a 180 yet.

Maybe an upgraded version of the F-117's little "friend"?

IMHO it's not a 180 yet.

II'm hoping it's the 180 just because that means we're more likely to get some pics. In fact, scrap that, I hope it's something even more exciting than the 180!

a reply to: gfad

I'm with you on hoping...I just don't think it is. I think its' most likely more than one badass reaper with upgraded radar and increment 2 GS.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Could be different day same time. The resolution and contrast of the (released) images even appears to be different...one of those could even be a satellite image.

a reply to: howmuch4another

X-47 is only a technology demonstrator, and unless it wins the UCLASS contract won't become an operational platform.

The Reaper/Predator doesn't have the survivability to hang out in contested airspace, neither does the Global Hawk.

a reply to: MystikMushroom

Possible, but it was on station a very long time.
From the day before the strike (before battle damage photo), to during the strike (video of bomb impacts), to the day after the strike (post battle damage photo). If it was a manned asset they would have had to have more than one on station to relieve the crew. My guess is that it was a UAS that stayed there the whole time.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Maybe...but a lot of guys have been "flying a lot" recently. And before that, were sent to some pretty interesting places they couldn't talk about. There's more than just "all the F's" flying around...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
I'm far more interested in the OTHER platform that was there.

Are you implying the BBT?

Im not too aviation savvy so if you are talking about something that isnt the BBT, i am lost.

a reply to: KnightLight

Of course still no one has told me what the heck that silent black triangle was.. I saw it so dang close.

Please, do tell of your story. I would give my left *** to get close to one of those things.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: howmuch4another

X-47 is only a technology demonstrator, and unless it wins the UCLASS contract won't become an operational platform.

The Reaper/Predator doesn't have the survivability to hang out in contested airspace, neither does the Global Hawk.

Oh I know the 47 is a TD but the Navy was so explicit in the recon label I thought a rush to theater was possible. I think the level the airspace was "contested" is the biggest question. We've had drones in Syria for weeks.

ETA: or hell it's the 180.

Some more details.

worldtribune.com...

Behind the scenes of the U.S. military preparations for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against the Al Qaida offshoot terrorist group Islamic State [of Iraq and Levant], the CIA is gearing up for new drone strikes and a surge in intelligence-gathering operations to support it, according to U.S. officials.

An MQ-9 Reaper Brimstone missile hits its target.

The agency is beefing up its presence in countries near Syria, including Jordan, as part of increased U.S. military operations in the region, said officials close to the agency. Liaison with regional spy services also is being increased.

The agency already is supplying intelligence gathered from Islamic State social-media accounts, both official and unofficial, on outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. …The aircraft have had a devastating impact — both in killing terrorist leaders inside their residences or vehicles, and as psychological influence, namely, instilling fear among terrorists.

U.S. drone attacks have forced terrorists to remain under cover and limit their public exposure and movement. The aircraft have forced terrorists to remain on constant alert for the signature hum of propeller-driven Predators and Reapers, never knowing whether the drones are unarmed surveillance aircraft, or whether the next sound they hear will be the blast of a Maverick missile hitting their position. Analysts say drone strikes over the longer term have demoralized the Islamist terrorist groups that have been targeted.

a reply to: ArcAngel

I'm pretty sure I saw big bird was also there. I'll grab a screen for you.

Oh, man it's undeniable.

Big bird was totally there.



All I care about is ISIS is getting what comes to them. Bomb them for the next 25 years.