They likely have started as they fall away from the pylon. The Stormshadow, and other cruise missiles, use jet propulsion and don’t usually have a very visible exhaust. The reason ground and ship launched versions have the smoke trail is because they use a solid fuel booster to push them up to speed initially for the jet to start. Air launched missiles already have speed and altitude, so you don’t need a booster.

I think it will be a slow rollout. Justin Bronk did a good interview that helps to set expectations. Times Radio Interview

The basic summary is that the introduction of F-16 is helpful, but not game changing.

While there obviously are narratives in media, the Biden situation is very interesting to me. Biden is an 81 year-old man. The job he was in the running for is high stress and very important. The media reported on the obvious and completely understandable concerns that voters and politicians had with his candidacy. Given the enormous stakes for countries like mine, outside but influenced by the US, our media also reported on the very real confusion and concern that our citizens had. Trying to say it is some kind of hit job seems to massively oversimplify things.

I have seen that is one of the types under consideration, but I have a few reasons to think it is poorly suited to the stated goals of the procurement as I have read it.

• It is a coastal defence boat, it is roughly 1/2 the tonnage of the KSS-III type from Korea. This limits it’s capabilities in the large patrol areas Canada is looking to operate. Being designed to operate primarily in the Baltic and other bodies of water off European coasts, it is less well adapted to the large expanses of the Pacific, where Canada will be looking for deployments.

-While the technology transfer is a positive value for the potential contract, my understanding is that Korea is also open to this type of structure. More importantly, from my reading of the procurement, the goal is to focus on an “off-the-shelf” approach. The focus will be on acquiring vessels rapidly from the existing manufacturer with minimal specific changes for Canadian service. Hanwa Ocean, the builder, has moved over the past months to begin working with Canadian partners to get the process underway https://babcockcanada.com/babcock-and-hanwha-ocean-sign-a-technical-cooperation-agreement-for-the-canadian-patrol-submarine-project/ . This readiness to move quickly could shave years off the time needed to get the first hull in service.

-Due to it’s smaller size and coastal defence role, the type 214 does not have VLS on board. This is a significant miss in capability, I have some armchair geopolitical reasons for that which I’ll blather about in a moment, but generally this limits the mission types the submarine can accomplish. It would likely lead to Canada deploying ROK developed cruise and ballistic missiles giving the boats a whole new mission envelope that would allow greater impact if supporting shore defences against landing for example.

Into the “just my opinion man” section, or the even more of my opinion I guess! We are at a transitional state in Canada, and it’s a state we share most closely with our allies in the Pacific. It isn’t possible to ignore the recent SCOTUS ruling in the US. After listening to federal lawyers, and seeing the dissenting views from the justices, America is only a democracy insofar as nobody is currently using the unrestricted personal authority granted by the highest court. Continuing to base our sovereignty and continued liberal democracy on the support of a nation in that political situation is very shortsighted. ROK and Japan are two other nations that may be feeling a similar concern. Without a large entity and a geographical cluster like the EU to rely on, we are nations that have over-relied on the US for protection, that always has come at a cost of policy pressure and whatnot, but how will that pressure be wielded going forward? As a platform, the KSS-III type allows for options in the future which may seem very far away or outside of the Canadian mindset. Ultimately, it is a stealthy patrol submarine, which in a geopolitical pinch, can provide Canada with the only continuously effective deterrence known to prevent loss of sovereignty. Canada helped develop nuclear weapons, and operated them until 1984. In my opinion the world is moving in a direction that could leave us very alone and vulnerable to multiple larger authoritarian states, we could ramp up and spend billions to equip more units and build defences, but none of that brings us to parity. Citizens in ROK recently responded to polling indicating a majority support the development of nuclear deterrent there. Obviously I don’t think this will happen, but I do think that Canada would be very wise to acquire systems going forward that diversify our sources away from potentially untrustworthy nations. Also, keep options open. Shit’s not going well.

As far as I can tell the KSS-III class of subs from ROK would be the frontrunner. Last year Babcock, the company that provides maintenance for our current subs, signed a contract to cooperate on the deal with Hanwa Ocean. It’s one of the best conventional subs, it has 6xVLS with the next block stretched and supposed to feature 10xVLS. Also, it’s in production, which could mean relatively quick turnaround once they were ordered. The fact that it can deploy the Hyunmoo 4-4 ballistic missile is also a pretty big deal. If Canada were to be faced with a hypothetical scenario of a powerful belligerent dictatorship, stealthy submarines with ballistic missiles could provide interesting options for credible deterrence.

That’s not necessary, as far as I understand there’s a 2/3 majority required to carry an impeachment (not American, so could be wrong). That’s not possible with roughly 50% republican votes. The impeachment can’t succeed, but it’s their job to try, and it also puts the evidence on the record.

The problem is, he isn’t fit. He’s just less unfit. People are frustrated that instead of a normal, reasonable alternative, they have to pick the less ridiculous of two ridiculous options.

It seems the only real definition of “hypersonic” outside of speed, is that the missile is capable of performing evasive maneuvers during the terminal phase while at hypersonic velocity. Otherwise yea, every ballistic missile is hypersonic. I have to doubt that this system actually qualifies, you never know though, technology proliferates I guess.

It’s difficult to defend the idea that Biden has been trying to end the genocide. He’s had that power from day 1. If you give Israel a bullet, you have solid awareness that there is a good chance it will be used against a non-combatant. That’s hard reality. If Biden was not supportive of genocide he would place an embargo on the weapons being poured into the massacre. He also wouldn’t sanction the ICC when they attempted to call out the primary actors in the genocide. He has given enabling support to the campaign in multiple ways.

Biden is not a good man as he is portrayed, he is complex obviously, but the reality is that Hitler still petted his dog and was nice to his friends and family. Biden should be joining Netanyahu at the Hague, not sabotaging democracy by being virtually un-electable while at the same time working to make it even more obvious that the international order is only there to punish certain war criminals.

Anyway, I think the take is pretty on point.

Not really, in this case they are equating actions Trump took to overturn his election loss as official duties. It’s definitely a messy part of the law, but if you bundle the actions taken to bring down a governmental system with those taken in the administration of that system you’re probably only trying to help bring it down.

Genuinely crazy situation, I don’t think that’s ever happened before. Either they underestimated the thrust they had, or they saved money on hardware. Possibly calculated shear force for the full stack instead of just the booster. Somebody is definitely fired.

I carry an emergency $50 with me and I haven’t had to use it in a few years. I do not miss change jangling in my pocket.

As a Canadian watching this, knowing that his loss would accelerate the shift to a dictatorship south of the border, it’s so disheartening. What is wrong with the Democrats, it’s bizarre. I can’t even imagine having to vote for a candidate like him, that it’s even a question when his opponent is such an absolute clown. It’s the dumbest timeline.

This was interesting to listen to, the only thing left is single issue voting. A vote for whatever is put across from Trump, regardless of who or what it is, opens the chance for another election to try again.

https://youtu.be/Ikm4kDl4A4A?si=B0cUpEZORixoluTY

It’s an odd post, but I have to admit I had the same fascination. I remember finding out that she exists when the YT video I was listening to ended and, before I got my phone out of my pocket, it had auto played some girl introducing the story of a LARP theme park I had never heard of. An hour later I was heavily informed about the tale of Evermore despite giving no shits about theme parks.

I listened to a couple more of her essays on topics I have no inherent interest in, then took a closer look at her channel. I thought, I’ll add her to my Patreon list for awhile, I’ve gotten several hours of entertainment. Queue the holy shit when I ran the numbers.

Sometimes people make good stuff, and then they are financially rewarded for that. Good for her.

Edit: English better.

Kruggsmash is so creative and cool. I don’t play DF, I bought a copy though because I love watching the stories it creates. I hope I’ll get into sometime, but just a little support in the meantime.

The German Airforce is probably wondering why you’re worked up as the iron cross is the roundel marking on their aircraft. The symbol is associated with Prussian militarism and far predates any Nazi associations in the German Military.

“We understand that it may be a meme, but please refrain from this behavior for the safety of your health.”

“Pleads.”