Recent posts

#91

General Discussion / Re: Gifs of Greatness!

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 04:33:11 PM

https://twitter.com/i/status/1781454222082367528

#92

Enigmas of the Mystical / Re: More Pix For A Laugh

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 04:23:51 PM

#93

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 03:10:17 PM

#94

Computer Gaming / Re: DCS Discussion

Last post by Skoop - April 20, 2024, 02:25:55 PM

I recently started a thread on MSFS. Would love to see some more discussion about it around here. I've been buying new aircraft modules lately and wondering whether terrain packs are worth it too.

The terrain out of the box is pretty good when you have it set on ultra, I don't buy any terrain addons.  If your favorite airport or city doesn't look good, I'd maybe think about it. I've been impressed with how good out of the box it is. 

#95

Enigmas of the Mystical / Re: A feel good thread

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 01:21:36 PM

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1781682991552729114.html?utm_campaign=topunroll

#96

Enigmas of the Mystical / Re: More Pix For A Laugh

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 01:19:19 PM

#97

Enigmas of the Mystical / Re: A feel good thread

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 01:15:02 PM

this will be Windy walking out the door to retirement.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1781645516104782304

#98

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by GDS_Starfury - April 20, 2024, 01:10:30 PM

#99

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by Crossroads - April 20, 2024, 01:08:54 PM

https://twitter.com/DarthPutinKGB/status/1781745758166823102

#100

Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...

Last post by Tripoli - April 20, 2024, 12:45:47 PM

CNN is reporting the Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE was shot down by an S-200 (SA-5 GAMMON) system.
 That would explain it being shot down almost 200 miles from Ukraine.  I'm surprised/impressed the SA-5 actually hit anything.  I also assumed the Ukrainian SA-5 were out of action, as it is a largely static system, and most of them should have been hit by the Russians by this point in the war.  My guess is the Russians got cocky and thought they were largely immune from being hit at that range, and either weren't properly using their defensive ECM systems or they are sending out strike aircraft without operational defensive systems, believing the long range made the risk acceptable. 

 https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/19/europe/ukraine-air-defense-russian-bomber-dnipropetrovsk-intl/index.html

[Addendum] Apparently, I missed this little detail regarding the use by Ukraine of SA-5s: According to Wikipedia (and yes, I'm embarrassed that Wikipedia showed me up on this point) Ukrainian armed forces claim to have used an S-200 to shoot down the A-50  over the Sea of Azov on 23 February 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-200_missile_system

THere is speculation that the S-200 that shot down the Tu-22M3 was modified.  The Guardian, citing an "intelligence source" is reporting that the Backfire was hit by "a modified S-200".  (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/20/ukraine-war-briefing-kyiv-claims-bomber-shot-down-at-308km-range-after-crash-in-russia).  No further details on the source, or details on the modifications.   A friend of mine who is exceptionally smart, and whom I served with in the early 2000's in C7F is speculating that the seeker head of the S-200 may have been modified. On a possibly unrelated point, Poland has been modifying the S-200 series for export for some time and in March 2024  Poland received permission to purchase the AIM-120C-8 https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/03/13/us-missile-sale-poland/, so they may have both the experience and technology to modify the SA-200 with a new seeker.  I'm not claiming this is the case.  I'm merely following breadcrumbs....


See also https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-obsolete-s-200-missile-systems-reportedly-back-on-track-to-hit-russian-targets/