But the A-6 has been retired. Along with the F-117. And the Air Force has been in an ongoing controversy in retiring the A-10. The Air Force’s latest retirement schedule, unveiled in its latest budget request for FY17, begins divesting the A-10s in FY18. The last A-10 would be sent to the boneyard in FY22. http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/04/25/house-legislation-restricts--10-retirement/83508968/

  >>21294
Aside of heavy payload that's kind of why it makes for a great example. This was before stealth, so you can think of it as a pre-stealth stealth bomber.

The most modern example of a bomber using speed, storms and terrain for "stealth" would be F-15E, or that new Sukhoi bomber.

>>21296
>>21257
If we're on the old stealth vs. terrain cover debate...why not both? Apparently a low-altitude penetrator version of the B-2 was under consideration at one point in its development.

>>21175
>rocket engine
Is that a translation error? I would expect a hybrid turbo-ramjet like the SR-71 had.

Imagine modern air combat as playing flashlight tag in a field at night. You can turn on your flashlight (radar) to try and find other players, but they in turn see your light (EM emissions). Low-observability technology is represented by some players wearing ninja suits while others wear reflective vests.

>>21298
Erm I think the point is to cut costs so more platforms can be produced with a lower tech base. Any total war scenario is going to involve nukes, and nukes will crash your tech base pretty fast.

Although I don't think the A-6 guy is talking about that, he's just being pedantic about the comparison.

>>21299
Modern stealth is only effective in a narrow band, called the X band. It's not effective in other bands of radar, such as those used by ground, shipborne or AWACS search, tracking and interrogation radars. Or in infrared, which is becoming distressingly common and depressingly sophisticated. Or passive radar... once that comes in it's pretty much over for stealth forever.

>>21051
>>21053

Lots of talk about this at work. The AI mostly improved on the existing AI opponent, it's not really OMG TERMINATOR AI thing.


The U Cincinnati article is a little less hype-y. The linked white paper comes across as an infomercial for the guys' fuzzy logic algorithm.


http://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/recent_features/alpha.html

http://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/genetic-fuzzy-based-artificial-intelligence-for-unmanned-combat-aerialvehicle-control-in-simulated-air-combat-missions-2167-0374-1000144.pdf

>>21051
Yeah no shit it doesn't require a lot of processing power to calculate vectors in a completely controlled environment, I've been getting my ass kicked by AI since ace combat two.

It's when it gets into uncontrolled environments that things get a lot more complicated.

Instead of having every grid point mapped in a computer and every moving object accounted for, in a real world the AI would have to collect data and build a HIGHLY IMPERFECT picture of the world around it. For example there would be no way to predict and react to simple things like enemy flak blowing up near or a sensor going out.

Also a lot more important is the ability to decide where the pilot fits in the overall tactical, strategic and even political landscape. If he shoots down that Israeli jet will the pilot be starting a thermonuclear war? Is that passenger jet out of Iran a simple airliner or a converted chemical weapons delivery system, and how to make a value judgement?

>>21056
The AI would build an imperfect picture of the world around it, like how human pilots do, but people can make sound judgments based on common sense and experience (difficult to quantify and translate into a computer program), but an AI could just ignore things that are not threats or concerning to the mission. Such as being mindful of areas it is not supposed to enter, the ground or navigational hazards, or threats such as enemy radar, anti-aircraft artillery or missiles. When fighting an aerial dogfight, the AI could be programmed to concentrate on the most pressing concerns in order of importance, such as enemy aircraft, flak and SAMs.
And as for predicting the trajectory of enemy flak, that would be the AI's forte as long as its sensors are effective (and the sensors it is sharing with its network). If the AI indeed thinks and reacts with logical decisions hundreds of times faster than a human can, it could weave through flak and obstructions like an ace in the prosecution of its mission.
And determining who to attack, the AI would be governed by the rules of engagement, just like human pilots are, but the AI might make unfortunate judgment calls.

Now imagine if such sophistication could be imparted to missiles. If the missile's sensors are precise enough to correctly identify the enemy aircraft it was locked on to, the missile's AI might be effective in ignoring counter-measures and predicting the aircraft's movements to plot the best course to destroy the aircraft.
- US Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder missile.

"You're not fooling anyone, flyboy."

Urgh.

>Swapping Japanese or American lel simplicity for overengineered euroshit
Pic related.

>Wanting to pay the euroshit tax on top of the diesel parts tax
Pic related.

If you absolutely WANT to pay a premium on parts and have a bad time working on your own vehicle, why not go for a Mercedes OM617 or OM601? Hell, in >>20685 it looks like there might even be room for an OM617 (the straight-5) in there.

The ALH in that Xterra is somewhat better than earlier engines. For one, they run the oil pump on a chain from the crankshaft, and the vacuum pump off the end of the camshaft, as opposed to running an extra jackshaft like on the 1.6IDI and the first gen TDI. But, it does run the water pump off the (already stressed) timing belt. Since it's a diesel, it's an interference engine.
The Mercedes engines are chain timed, and they run the water pump from an accessory drive belt.


So, you've got your swap. That costs $7000+. And you get 30+MPG. Great. A 1.6L automatic Sidekick gets about 30 MPG, and they can be found for $2000-4000.

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>>20723

He used to be married to OM617's but moved to TDI's. He explained why once but I don't remember enough details not to butcher the reasoning. It doesn't cost him $7000 to do the swap, that's what he sells them for.

Pic is a TDI Jetta towing a Pathfinder. That turned some heads.

>>20723
Probably just going to stick to my 4Runner plan, put another 200K on whatever I find, and when it finally wears the fuck out maybe I'll have enough banked to get something interesting. Maybe we'll see some interesting diesels in the market by then that aren't a total pain in the dick.

This thread inspired me to finally do a bit of searching regarding something that's been lurking in the far back recesses of my mind for years now, and ohhh shit, there's someone who actually does this commercially!

http://www.landroverimport.com/index.html

>>20439
I've been looking around for the same. I like my expedition, but I'd prefer a diesel.

Jeep made a Liberty with a diesel for a while, rare but you can find them.

>>20459
>>20460
No Amarok yet, but the Touareg and mid size VW have been available for a while, both in diesel with 4wd.

>>20474
The EPA is horribly out of control. When the nation was being crippled by near $4/gal gas. The EPA was fining the crap out fuel companies for failure to meet impossible standards, which was adding something like another 20 cents per gallon, that's border line economic treason.

>>20479
While economy doesn't directly equal lower emissions. It can greatly reduce the footprint. Every unit of gas from the crude coming out of the ground to evaporation at the pump increases polution. Not to mention meeting the standards often leads to poor mpg, which is self defeating.

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FIN.

>>21024

Shiny... I need to go there one of these days. Today started the Sentimental Journey Fly-in in Lock Haven, The C-54 Spirit of Freedom is there again this year. I will of course be abusing my free access to take all the pictures.

Hey! You're in my neck of the woods. I still havn't been to see the 4th hanger, I really need to do that.

>>20725
A little late, but cool shit man.

>>20710
It doesn't matter if they're pro or anti-ISIS, if they are destabilizing the country though terror, they are islamic terrorists. From Syrian government point of view, every armed group in the country killing civilians is a bad one. It doesn't matter if the group is Al Qaeda, Al Nusra, ISIS or FSA, all are islamic terrorists bent on subverting the legitimate rule of law.

This is why Russia doesn't make a distinction when bombing any group that isn't the Syrian government in Syria, there's no fucking point. All of these groups are organized criminals at the very least.

>Even the Kurdish communists have started getting called "terrorists" by non-Turkish pro-Syrian media after they pushed ISIS out of northern Iraq and blitzkried into Syria.
Certain Kurdish factions have decided that if they cannot make a state in Turkey, they will make a state in weakened Syria. To this end they have resorted to terrorism and allying with other forces destabilizing Syria.

Calling certain Kurdish factions terrorists is calling a spade a spade, it is not politicized language, it is a fact. However not all Kurds have decided on this course of action and Syrian media is so far being careful about distinguishing between the groups.

>>20714
(this is what fascist enablers actually believe.)

>>20715
>>20712
What the fuck are you doing? This isn't the designated shitposting board, get the fuck out.

>>20716
It is when Sergei drinks more than his vodka ration and posts his "Obama is literally ISIS hitler, thank putin that putin is protecting the world" in /v/ rather than /n/

Cease shitting up /v/ please.

>>20574
The J-31 is a clone of the F-35. Lockheed admits to having had design data copied from internal project design servers early on in the F-35 development process after contract awarding. The design of the J-31 is almost completely copy-pasted from the early F-35 work.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II#Program_cost_overruns_and_delays

>On 21 April 2009, media reports, citing Pentagon sources, said that during 2007 and 2008, spies downloaded several terabytes of data related to the F-35's design and electronics systems, potentially compromising the aircraft and aiding the development of defense systems against it.

Funny how that coincides with the rough timeline needed for development on a prototype plane, such that by 2012, we have the unveiling of the Shenyang J-31.

>>20580
Shinshin is likelier the clone of the pre-JSF, pre X-35 design that LockMart had. When LockMart got to the drawing board their stealth submission didn't have internal bays and was twin engined. Basically a simplified micro F-22 with similar performance. So that seems to fit.

J-31... possibly. J-22 is clearly a MiG-1.44 airframe with the F-35 stealth skin and composite control surfaces, so it seems the Chinese did have some F-35 data. It's not out of the question that they would apply this data to the J-31.

>>20568
>includes all four Kuril Islands
>includes Senkaku islands
Somebody's really asking to get his ass whooped.

>>20568
So stealthy they fly directly above Russian AA.

muhballz.jpg

>>20661

Is that what it is? Huh. Ya know, for years I've wondered why they drop like fucking flies on the Interstate / highway; I've always figured they were just that goddamn unreliable.

>>20662

Ya, those poor little 3-cylinders don't like to be run hard for extended periods. Get two adults in there and try to drive it 30+ miles at 65mph on a warm day and you're gonna have troubles. My grandmother had a 92 Metro for the better part of the 90's and even when it was new it didn't like to go more than 25 miles at a time.

>>20663
Ehh, My brother owned a '90 Geo Metro 4 door, autotragic, and besides barely being able to go 65, let alone much faster, it was extremely reliable. He also was a hambone, and broke the seat back with his fat rolls. His solution? Cram cases of canned dry potato pearls and beans behind the back seat. so, even when it was just him in it, it had the weight of 2 adults and a small child in it. I've also ridden in it with 2 other adults and my brother, and it was tragically slow, but it worked just fine, and still got ~35MPG that trip.

>>20659
It was a '97 Eldorado. Sold that shit and now have an '06 Ford Crown Victoria.

>>20665

oh wow. I shit the bed there. Pants-on-head retarded, that was.

Anyways, the only thing I have that's close to that is '96-01 Taurus and '91-'01 Explorer and Explorer Sport-Trac through '05.

All I can tell you is that Ford used vacuum motors on their HVAC systems in those eras, and if your car has the same shit that's likely where your problem is going to be. Haynes isn't very forthcoming on troubleshooting information. Or the electrical switch that controls those stupid vacuum shits (WHY FORD WHY)

Check them switches mang.

>>20663

Y'know, that lines up in my head.

My dad had an (automatic) '92 model. Got it in about '94, and it died in '97 or '98 from a burned valve, which I always attributed to my mom's retarded driving. She went through the Ozarks in that car on our way to Shitsconsin. With me, my grandma and her, 3 dogs, and a bunch of shit in there.

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>>20639
And you thought the old F-15 was a "flying SAM site", just one F-15 Advanced can shoot down most countries' entire airforces!

  >>20639
Maybe the South Koreans are applying thier video game pizzazz to it?
Boeing - F-15SE Silent Eagle Stealth Fighter For South Korea [1080p] https://youtu.be/xihkVl1kV28
Silent Eagle is an innovative design developed for international customers' requirement for a balanced, low risk, affordable, high-performance fighter. Using a modular design approach, Silent Eagle offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and stealth features that provide the maximum flexibility to dominate ever-changing advanced threats. The Silent Eagle can be quickly configured with Conformal Fuel Tanks, optimized for long range and increased weapons loads. A flexible platform, the Silent Eagle offers unmatched range, speed, payload and persistence.

Boeing Unveils a Version of the F-15 With Twice as Many Missles
The F-15 Eagle is America's most storied jet fighter. It has an unbeaten record in the air—104 kills and zero losses—unmatched by any other combat aircraft.

It's also getting long in the tooth—the average age of the 254F-15s serving in the U.S. Air Force service is now 28 years old. That puts it a generation behind the latest planes, from the American F-22 Raptor to the Chinese J-20. The Air Force had planned to replace the F-15 with the F-22 altogether, but stopped production of the F-22 Raptor at just 195 aircraft, as the multi-purpose F-35 Joint Strike Fighter became more politically popular.

Now the plan is for the Raptor and the Eagle to work together in the skies, teaming up to take down enemy fighters. And to make the Eagle more lethal for its share of the task aviation giant Boeing is has introduced an upgrade: the F-15 Eagle C2040.

The Eagle C2040 is designed to be a missileer, carrying up to sixteen AIM-120D AMRAAM radar-guided missiles into battle. That's twice as many as many as existing F-15Es can carry and six more than the current reigning champion in missiles, the Sukhoi Su-35 Super Flanker.

The upgrade also includes the Talon HATE advanced communications datalink, which allows the F-15 to exchange data with the F-22. Boeing almost certainly has in mind a scenario in which stealthy Raptors could fly ahead
undetected, quietly identifying and targeting enemy aircraft for the heavily armed Eagles.

Other upgrades include an improved radar, an infrared targeting system, and improved electronic warfare capabilities. The F-15 would also have conformal fuel tanks attached to the fuselage, giving the plane even longer legs while preserving the Eagle's maneuverability.

The Eagle 2040C is an upgrade package that would be applied to existing F-15s. The package should keep the F-15 lethal until the U.S. unveils its next generation air superiority fighter—right around 2040. http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a17395/boeing-unveils-a-missile-slinging-version-of-the-f-15-eagle/

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>>20644

>Sixteen candles fucking AMRAAMs

BOOM TRUCK
O
O
M

T
R
U
C
K

>>20644
>includes the Talon HATE advanced communications datalink

I would have saved that awesome acronym for an actual weapons system.

Wedge car thread is on page 3, my friend.