CV32

It appears that is the intention. It is highly unlikely that they could all be operational and on deployment at the same time, of course, but in any event, it certainly has the potential to make the Black Sea uncomfortable for any 'intruder'. No doubt they will want to venture farther afield as well.

From RIA Novosti [excerpt] CV32: Nice shot of the Yury Dolgoruky.

From RIA Novosti [excerpt] CV32: Goes without saying that the plan is optimistic, but even so I expect they will have better luck with an established design like the Project 636 [improved Kilo] than was had with Project 677 [Lada].

True, but probably of little consequence in the overall scheme of things in any modern UK vs Argentina scenario. It wasn't around the last time either.

Nice AAR, thanks for sharing it. IMHO, politics aside, I think the Royal Navy and RAF significantly outclass the Argentines and this would readily show in any toe to toe conflict. Yes, the Harriers are gone, and much of the force just a shadow of its former self, but the years haven't treated the Argentine armed forces very well either. Geography hasn't changed, and though the islands are still painfully far from the UK, they are in many ways effectively just as far for Argentina. Could Argentina even mass and embark an invasion force and hope to achieve any element of surprise in the 21st century? I have to wonder. I think you hit upon an important point with the Flight 1435 detachment of four Typhoons. Some sort of special forces raid, or asymmetric attack, would seem the method most likely to achieve success in removing them. Even with that done, Argentina would have to put boots on the ground in the Falklands very quickly and then tackle the difficult problem of reinforcing and supplying them. Btw, the generally accepted approach with scenario and database downloads is that you do not package the DB with the scenario. It makes for a larger download file (with unnecessary duplication if you're doing it for every scenario) and unless its a 'one off' DB, the DB generally gets updated regularly and is backwards compatible with the scenario. Just make sure you are matching the right scenario with the right database with the right battleset and you're off to the races.

Adding a Trafalgar SSN to the mix ... Nuclear sub on Falklands patrol (Daily Mail)

From AOL Defense [excerpt]

From Flight Global [excerpt]

Yes, with a full combat load that takeoff roll might be looong.

Great series of hi rez photos of the first production Sukhoi Su-34 'Fullback' strike jets at Air Power Australia.

Yes, okay, $20 million. No problem. But as long as the barriers are removed, the metrics are driven, and the process focused, it will be worth it. Right?

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

The fate of the Lada class aside, the Russkies have never been shy about changing the names of their vessels. Planned Mistral class names noted for the next DB update.

That is just wild.

Making the jump to nuke boat is going to be expensive in either case. Heck, submarines are expensive, period. The Aussies have learned that already with the Collins "experience". With the 688's being slowly phased out, and the Virginias already embarking on a phased upgrade, they ought to get aboard now. (And for that matter, so should we, making some room in the budget by dispensing with the F-35A buy. )

Thanks for rubbing that in. The Aussies would be better off trying to get into the Virginia program. Side benefits for everyone.

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

Have you checked out the Tactics 101 series here?

Excellent question! And not one that I had given much thought to, to be honest, in the sense of helping those unfamiliar with the nuances and terminology so germane to Harpoon. Much of this kind of information is found in Annex Y (Ship Classification) of the Harpoon 4 paper rules, some of which I will repeat here for the sake of example. But first the general rules ... A - suffix to a ship class indicating and air cushion platform G - suffix to a ship class indicating an area defense SAM armament (eg. DDG, denoting a guided missile destroyer) G - suffix to a ship class indicating long range SSM armament H - suffix indicating a hydrofoil platform H - suffix indicating a major helicopter capability platform N - suffix to a ship class designation indicating nuclear propulsion (eg. SSN, denoting a nuclear powered attack submarine) W - prefix for all non-navy ships (eg. WPS for a US Coast Guard vessel) The more common examples are ... CV - Multi-purpose aircraft carrier CVH - Helicopter carrier CVN - Multi-purpose aircraft carrier (nuclear powered) BB - Battleship BCGN - Guided missile battle cruiser (nuclear powered; the Soviet/Russian Kirov class is the prime example) CG - Guided missile cruiser CGN - Guided missile cruiser (nuclear powered) DD - Destroyer (typically with an anti-submarine role) DDG - Guided missile destroyer FF - Frigate FFG - Guided missile frigate FFL - Corvette (or light frigate) SS - Submarine (conventionally powered) SSBN - Ballistic missile submarine (nuclear powered) SSGN - Guided missile submarine (nuclear powered) SSN - Submarine (nuclear powered) PB - Patrol boat (typically inshore) PC - Coastal patrol craft PG - Offshore patrol craft, with a gun armament LCC - Amphibious command ship LHA - Amphibious assault ship (general purpose) LHD - Amphibious assault ship (multi-purpose) LPD - Amphibious transport dock LPH - Amphibious assault ship (helicopter) LSD - Dock landing ship LST - Tank landing ship MHC - Coastal mine hunter (note that the HCDB groups all of the mine countermeasures ships under the general code 'MCM') MSC - Coastal minesweeper MSF - Offshore fleet minesweeper MSI - Inshore minesweeper LCAC - Landing craft, air cushion LCM - Medium landing craft LCU - Utility landing craft AE - Ammunition ship AFS - Combat stores ship AO - Oiler AOE - Fast combat support ship AOR - Replenishment oiler AGB - Icebreaker AGOR - Oceanographic research ship AGOS - Ocean surveillance ship AGS - Surveying ship AH - Hospital ship AK - Cargo ship ARS - Salvage ship AS - Submarine tender ASR - Submarine rescue ship ATA - Ocean tug ATF - Fleet ocean tug There are many more miscellaneous and auxiliary examples, but these are the common ones.

Maybe ... we talking defensive or offensive power? In any case, should make for an excellent test of the Type 45's seakeeping and habitability.

That would seem to identify the boat as a Project 671RTM or Improved Victor III variant. Though they look like rusted nubs now, its no wonder those boats were noisy with those tiny props.

From Aviation Week [excerpt] CV32: Anyone hold Dassault stock?

From DefenseNews [excerpt] CV32: The 'black sheep' of the USAF family being sacrificed?

From Aviation Week [excerpt]