The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the World

[slim 1,530]

We spend more on defense than the the next 17 nations COMBINED. I say we can do with less than half of our defense spending and be just fine. That'd be a cool $4 trillion saved over the next decade. What's not to like? Just get out of defense related stocks before the cuts are announced.

We could spend more on defense and be just fine. It's all that "other" stuff we don't need.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I wonder if some of the no votes would change their minds after Obama gets reelected, when he starts bowing to Mecca five times a day on national TV, and tells Israel to go screw itself, you don't have enough oil for us to care anymore.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We could spend more on defense and be just fine. It's all that "other" stuff we don't need.

Like what? Social Security and Medicaid? The programs that Americans have paid for should just be yanked away from them? Better to keep the MIC afloat than to make good on the generational contracts Americans have paid into?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The Warthog has been retired.

And replaced by even more efficient and effective weapons. Which may cost more EACH than a warthog but are more effective than 10 warthogs.

we are also using far less aircraft than we did even 30 years ago.

[Ban Hammer 13,509]

The Warthog has been retired.

and a sad day when that happened

And replaced by even more efficient and effective weapons. Which may cost more EACH than a warthog but are more effective than 10 warthogs.

we are also using far less aircraft than we did even 30 years ago.

what is more efficient than an airborne tank killing aircraft in close air support?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

and a sad day when that happened

what is more efficient than an airborne tank killing aircraft in close air support?

Not its current replacement.......the F35....

[Ban Hammer 13,509]

Not its current replacement.......the F35....

the designers missed the entire concept of CAS with that plane.

[웃 910]

We could spend more on defense and be just fine. It's all that "other" stuff we don't need.

More on defense, are you crazy!!!! $700 billion a year is $13.42 billion a week, $1.92 billion a day, $79.9 million an hour...

Edited January 10, 2012 by ☠

[Pooky 3,828]

ONE F-117 and its crew of two men can easily equal the destructive EFFECT of 100 B-17s, B-24s or B-29s

Ummm, not quite. The F-117 was single seat, had a very limited payload, maxing out at 5,000 lbs. The B-2 Spirit may be what you were thinking of, just don't stage through Guam if you want to keep flying.

The Warthog has been retired.

Errr, no it hasn't. They tried, but it was just too useful. They are currently deployed in Afghanistan, and I seriously doubt the F-35 Thunderpig will be anywhere near as well liked as the 'Hog.

And yes, I'd cut the F-35 in a heartbeat.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

and a sad day when that happened

what is more efficient than an airborne tank killing aircraft in close air support?

I wonder if we can pick up a GAU-8 30mm cannon on the surplus market? I think I need one.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Ummm, not quite. The F-117 was single seat, had a very limited payload, maxing out at 5,000 lbs. The B-2 Spirit may be what you were thinking of, just don't stage through Guam if you want to keep flying.

Errr, no it hasn't. They tried, but it was just too useful. They are currently deployed in Afghanistan, and I seriously doubt the F-35 Thunderpig will be anywhere near as well liked as the 'Hog.

And yes, I'd cut the F-35 in a heartbeat.

At any rate, the 5000 poud payload could be delivered very accurately. How many B-17s would it tkae to put 5000 pounds of explosives ON a target...ON the target? A single seat makes it even more effective.

Good news on the A-10 however I could really use the 30mm cannon, I guess I'll wait.

what is the melting point of depleted uranium, can I melt that stuff in my Lyman lead pot? I am thinking cast bullets may be the way to go with that one.

Edited January 10, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[웃 910]

You guys are a bunch of war hawks!!!!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Errr, no it hasn't. They tried, but it was just too useful. They are currently deployed in Afghanistan, and I seriously doubt the F-35 Thunderpig will be anywhere near as well liked as the 'Hog.

And yes, I'd cut the F-35 in a heartbeat.

The zoomies don't like the A-10 for two reasons:

1) The Air Forces trains the pilots not to see anything they can put eyeballs on, like UFO's and things on the ground.

2) It is hard to look sexy piloting something that looks like the Flintstones built and flies slower than granny drives on Sunday.

Of course, when the craft returns safely with huge holes in the wings and fuselage, yet the pilot didn't even break a fingernail, they become believers.

Edited January 10, 2012 by ☼

[웃 910]

War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You be right:

Selfridge Airmen to Return From Afghanistan

Nearly 300 airmen are scheduled to return to Selfridge Air National Guard Base Monday after a four-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Nearly 300 airmen from Selfridge Air National Guard are scheduled to return to Michigan Monday after a four-month deployment to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.

While deployed, and serving with the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, the men and women from Selfridge logged approximately 8,300 flight hours in 2,000 sorties, or flight missions, according to base officials.

“The safe return of our Michigan Airmen is a very welcome way to begin the new year,” said Col. Michael Thomas, commander of the 127th Wing, the home unit of the returning Airmen, in a release. “The selfless service rendered by these men and women, which included being deployed over the holiday season, epitomizes the core values of the U.S. Air Force.”

The unit operated and maintained the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft while deployed in Afghanistan, which was the unit's fourth major deployment over the past 10 years.

Base officials report that a small number of airmen will remain in Afghanistan to help with the transition of the unit that will take the place of the Michigan Air Guardsmen at the NATO base.

http://macomb.patch.com/articles/selfridge-airmen-to-return-from-afghanistan#photo-8854955