We’re going to have many topics at 5:30 PM Pacific Tomorrow. I don’t expect to address each one. I did decide to omit a few… incidents due to lack of detail but ample video. But first, the login info…

With that, my suggestions for topics…

As almost always… saddest first.

This podcast should interest fellow Snowbirds fans - and help make the in-depth case why no pause on the Snowbirds:

Yup, the AV-8B Harrier is no longer in US Marine Corps service. It’s now just the Spaniards and Italians flying the Harrier. Soon, Italy will retire her Harriers for the far more capable F-35B. But the USMC’s heritage with the Harrier runs deep:

But the Harrier was taken to its maximum capability. It’s worth noting that the Harrier was the first fighter jet with a serious head’s up display - not just a gunsight. There’s also a ton of history behind the jet:

On the other end of the air combat spectrum, Airbus is now offering a combat drone:

But Boeing just upgraded their drone offering with internal bays to pack 2 x AMRAAM or 4 x SDB plus option for three external weapon stations if needed.

Meanwhile with General Atomics and Anduril getting a US Air Force green light for production of their Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, one wonders how Airbus’ & Boeing’s offering will fit in. At least Airbus & Boeing have internal weapons bays…

First, the MiG-29 footage:

Recently, footage appeared of Russians stuck fighting drones with man portable surface-to-air missiles - commonly called MANPADs.

It is suspected that a Russian air defense missile not a drone tossed the roof off of a refinery storage tank. Yes, the same Russians who at one time had air defenses so strong that an entire mission set called Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses or SEAD, better known as “Wild Weasel” was created. Speaking of which…

Figured I should share….

Worth a read…

There’s also this detailed analysis of the (mostly) Israeli air campaign.

Regardless of your feelings about President Trump, the US Air Force desperately needed an upgrade from a 747-200B to a 747-8i. This aircraft lacks the aerial refueling capability but was a reused Qatari Air Force 747-8i. This was after some public fumigation by President Trump and an offer by Blake Scholl to speed up Overture development… and President Trump touring this 747-8i.

One can read The War Zone for the most credible reporting without politicization. Contrary to some claims on X, the VC-25B will support the rest of the Presidential fleet rather than replace the VC-25As.

However, a US Representative points out serious issues if Trump takes this gift with him in January 2029…

The Italian M-346 training jet is being seriously considered by the Royal Canadian Air Force for fighter lead-in training.

A logical replacement for the BAe Hawk - and arguably the Tutor. But that’s me.

Then there’s the possibility of KC-777s…. with 350,000 pounds of fuel to offload.

Enjoy. Clearly Northrup Grumman has maximized low observability here…

The War Zone has reported that the US Air Force wants to replace Hueys with CSAR helicopters, even as Congress questions the US Air Force’s ability to conduct CSAR. I got to profile the HH-60W back in my Simple Flying heyday.

Of course, even the World Cup gets a flyover. This one’s for all the chopper fans…

My pals at RampCheck Aviation have made some aviation-themed songs:

There you go.