SpaceKadet

Interesting sideline from the Operation Spider Web, the recent Ukrainian attack on the very remote Russian air bases, some of them thousands of kilometers away. It allegedly crippled up to 30% of Russian long distance strike capability, nuclear and conventional. This would never happen with the deployment of JAS-39, as the Gripen doesn’t need an extended and vulnerable air base and can operate from a straight normal road of less than 1000 meters, and can be battle ready again in just 20 minutes, requiring the staff of only 6 conscripts. To replace the largest component, the engine, takes less than one hour. The software is very advanced and modularized. It can be upgraded in less than one hour, without affecting any other software components. So to add a new weapon capability, would only upgrade the weapon part, without affecting any other critical component, like aircraft handling, navigation or targeting… Bloody brilliant. Also, the Gripen does not need to rely on AWACS support, as the other modern fighters do. They share their radar data in a mesh network between all members in the squadron. Additionally, all JAS-39E record and store the RCS signatures of all adversaries and share it with the rest of the pack. There goes the perceived stealth of F-35…… Is there really anything negative to say about the JAS-39? (Well, apart from the use of the American GE414 engine!)

The JAS-39E is using GE F414 engine. Much more powerful.

Obviously, you have not done your research. We don't know how much the Thai government will pay for the JAS, and again, there are no second hand fighters on the market, which you were referring to. And just to piss on your dinner further, JAS-39 has the lowest operating cost of all fighters out there, plus other benefits. Spread that over the estimated lifespan of 20 or so years and come back to me. Follow the link to the Alaska Red flag article I posted earlier, where JAS-39 just ghosted all F-16 and the mention to Loyal Arrow exercise in Sweden where it ghosted 2 F-15's while the thirds one just cowardly run away.... We're talking real muscle here, boy..... Not to even mention the well knows fact that an older Swedish fighter (J-37) is the only one ever to get a weapons lock on an SR-71. Again, real war tech, not Lego crap from America. https://stratpost.com/gripen-operational-cost-lowest-of-all-western-fighters-janes/

To all those proponents of American F-16, and how JAS-39 has not proved itself in real combat. https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2021/01/07/gripen/ Let's face it people, JAS-39 is the most advanced Gen4 fighter out there, and perfect for the countries that need an air force for the defensive purpose, and do not require an offensive fighter like F-35 or F-22, which are pure offensive weapons requiring a huge infrastructure to be effective. Even F-15, F-16 or F-18 do not pass the bill, due to to their huge infrastructure requirements. A JAS-39 can be refueled and rearmed and back in action in 20 minutes landing and taking off on a normal road, compared to F-16 requiring 2-3 hours and large airfield infrastructure, including a huge cadre of highly trained technicians. The only reason that JAS-39 has not sold more is purely political, and it's good to see that Thailand, for once, is acting sensibly.

Correction. JAS-39 is using GE designed F414G engine, manufactured under license and modified by Volvo FM (FlygMotor) in Sweden. It would require spare parts from Sweden. However, as I mentioned in a post above, theoretically US could block the export of the engine, but as they offer F-16 with GE F110 engine, that would certainly be regarded as unfair business practices.

Don't understand your post. Gripen is a modern aircraft and not available on the second hand market. Countries that buy Gripen don't do it to sell it again. They will stay in their air forces for 20 years, maybe longer. We are not talking car deals here. There is also a lease option. How much would Thailand sell their F-16 for? The only thing that old F-16's are good for is as a gift to Ukraine. But, since you obviously have done the calculation, please do enlighten us.

Smart thinking Batman! And not far from the reality. The JAS-39 is using GE F414G engine, which is made under license and modified by Volvo FM. In theory, US could block the sale of the engine, same as they were trying to do on the JAS-39 Colombia deal. IMO, the JAS-39 should never have used an American engine, and instead used the excellent engines from Rafale or Typhoon fighters, or let Volvo FM develop a new local engine like they did for the Swedish J-35 Draken and J-37 Viggen.

They already have access to 12 (now 11), since 2011. It's not very easy to reverse-engineer advanced military war tech. Unless you are a Chinese engineer employed on the design of the F-22, then later go back to motherland and create J-20. Oh, those stupid gullible Americans....

But it's practical. You're bald, you wear a bandana. It's hot, your head sweats, bandana gets wet. Bandana gets cooler due to normal water evaporation. Your head gets cooler. Air conditioning on the go!

I just completed this quiz. My Score 33/100 My Time 107 seconds  

It would be nice to do everything online, but like I said: Difficult to do fingerprint and photo online. And they will never mail your passport to you. You'll have to pick it up personally with an ID. I have been bumming around third world countries for most of my professional life (40+ years), and appreciate the passport security my country have. And, let's face it, no matter what they say, Thailand is still a third world country. Not even post services works here, some mail never arrives, some takes months...

Well, mine does. Perhaps the new set of fingerprints and photo is to compare to the previous ones and verify that I am who I claim to be.

The greatest country in the world. SWEDEN!

Hmmmm. Not very secure, IMO. While your fingerprints might not change, your photo will over 20 years or so. Personally, I spout a Walrus facial hair adornment since 25 years and don't recognize myself in my old passport pictures.

The embassy have a machine that takes you picture and fingerprints, digitizes them and sends with the passport application to the passport manufacturer. How can yours be biometric? How do you do your fingerprints online? Just a photo is not biometric. Suppose most counties has not yet come to the hi-tech level of mine yet..... Should add that I had to do it for the past 3-4 renewals. 20 years total.

My country requires me to apply in person, and pick it up in person. That's because all new passports contain a biometric chip that has your photo and fingerprints digitized. The embassy does the photo and fingerprints when you apply. How does you agent process that? Or does UK still issue non biometric passports? The only hassle was the travel to BKK to apply, and HuaHin to pick it up. But BKK trip is always fun, getting a few booze nights with my buddies there, and HH is good for shopping (according to Mrs), so no real hassle.

If you really want to use MS Office, you could download MS Office 2021 from MS download site and use the not totally illegal activator script that was posted here some time ago. Think it was removed since, but still available if you know how to search. That's what I have done...

More likely than not, she's told her family that she's dating a westerner, and they are putting pressure on her. 30K is a large amount. Must be many buffaloes in need of veterinary care. And maybe some brothers in jail too.... Me, I married a girl from the South. Much easier to communicate with, and much more straight forward, western style. And no buffaloes, but a big coconut plantation.

So is capitalism, as practiced by #47! Just look at the markets. Up and down like a rollercoaster.

Another post written by AI.... give it up people!!! Key sign: "Former President Donald Trump's"

New MAGA slogan: We're gonna make America great! But if you can't pay, you can't stay!

The megalomaniac POTUS has already stated that he "runs the world". In his infantile mind, he believed that he would just dictate to others what he wants and they will all kowtow to him and obey. Well, it's time to wake up #47 and smell the napalm!

Definitely agree on Andor S02. Especially E01-E06. Slow, confusing, quick jumps between the scenes, and little or no connection to the rest of the story. Just wasted one episode on a stupid wedding with Bollywood choreographed dancing routine. Another on some forest wannabe rebels infighting, that never appear again. And, of course, they just stole some story from the Rebel Moon, cheap!!!! I blame it all on the director, Ariel Kleiman (he's a man actually). Must be a good friend of KK. While S01 was pretty good, IMO, S02 final episode was a bit of a cliffhanger. And we know there won't be S03.

A Martini must never be shaken.... Bond was wrong, but he prefers vodka Martini anyways.

Olive brine is an essential ingredient in Dirty Martini. A small amount of olive brine, plenty of gin, stir it with some ice cubes and add a few olives. Life's healthy goodness.... yummy.