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Old 30th Sep 2011, 13:15
  #110 (permalink)  
LowObservable
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Far West Wessex
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Pretty much my read on the situation.

I haven't seen anything realistic from the US services or industry other than building C-130s in perpetuity. If the Army downsizes (as it will) there will be a lot of capacity for basic trash-hauling for a while, until the older C-130s start running out of hours, but there will still be niche missions.

Actually, if the F-35B survives and proves capable of austere-base operations (that is, doesn't blow a huge hole in the runway every time it lands) the A400M would be a good support aircraft.
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