Backpedaling at the speed of light.... 🤭

General Discussion
82

I’m not sure if you’re disagreeing with the terminology or the principle but, if there was concern about a genuine terrorist threat then the UK response would certainly include firearms officers and, for the recipient, probably wouldn’t feel too dissimilar to a SWAT response.

83

SCO19, AFO, SFO, TFU.

Never SWAT, Americans. :unamused_face::face_with_raised_eyebrow:

84

Serious Fraud Office?

85

Survive France Orgy

86

I didn’t realise they are not building B-1s anymore.

“He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “These are very, very unique platforms that aren’t being produced any more, and we have a limited number of them. The B-1 bomber is a strategic asset, and we’re going to take steps to protect it, from all sorts of threats.””

Of course, there are no degrees of uniqueness :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

I guess B-1s and B52s (the US’s old weapon of choice for napalming Vietnamese and Cambodian children) are an anachronism in today’s drone world. About as useful as the V bombers became.

87

I hear you, brother.

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88

I won’t pretend to foretell where drone technology will take us, but the US are planning on upgrading the B-52 and using it into 2060, over 100 years since one first flew. It is set to outlast it’s “replacements”. In fact it may be a launch platform for drones.

89

Could make sense.

If it was good enough for past generations of warmongers, it’s good enough for future ones.

Spurred on by your comment a had a little Google and they certaily have been busy
upgrading it. It’d be interesting to get a tour of one. RR engines are a nice touch :slightly_smiling_face:

90

And lane departure warning :joy:

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91

If tbey’re Rolls Royce engines I wonder what would have happened if tbey were Chinese … I mean software is everywhere these days isn’t it

92

Ideal platform for dropping things on people you don’t like who don’t have an airforce or any mid-high level SAM capability.

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93

A similar debate is happening elsewhere in defence: should European NATO states buy US F35 fighters or Swedish SAAB Gripens?
Can we trust the US to support the tech it fits to the weapons it sells us?

Trump wants to sell more goods, but his tactics make less sales likely.
But, maybe that is getting further off track.

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94

They would have rotated the other way and had gold coloured fans, with sparkly bits. However, they would have been based on the intellectual property the Chinese have stolen over the last thirty years so probably reliable.

95

would it be ok for me to share the image please. and the terrier joke?

96

Never!

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97

and while we’re at it…

or U2 …?

98

Absolutely.

99

It seems that Trump had said that the aircraft withdrawal was due to the threat.

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100

Of him running out of planes, 5 blokes is all it takes Iran, then the Americans will go home :rofl:

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101

Well even if he had enough planes, he hasn’t any spare bombs for them to carry.
Iran war has led to US munitions shortfalls, Pentagon inspector confirms Iran war has led to US munitions shortfalls, Pentagon inspector confirms

So more expense for US taxpayers, and less exports for US companies as they prioritise US over other deliveries. And another reason for Europe to be less reliant on US hardware, since deliveries are unreliable, thus depressing future US sales.

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