The provisional count of all US deaths involving COVID-19 was 48,615 compared to over 200,000 during the same time period in 2022. Of those 98.4% of the deaths were elderly Americans. The pandemic is long over.
The world is better than it ever has been since the 1970s. You are too young to know what it was like during the Cold War. We are not even under daily nuclear threats like was used to be. There isn’t a wall across Europe with two Superpowers pointing weapons at each other. Life is really good right now compared to the past.
The primary mission will likely be intercepting cruise missiles. The F-16C Block 50 that Ukraine is getting was the late 80s and early 90s model. The F-16s the United States flies are the Block 70. The aircraft includes a Honeywell H-423 Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System (RLG INS) for rapid in-flight alignment; GPS receiver; Data Transfer Cartridge with a larger capacity (128KB) to accommodate the planned avionics growth; Improved Data Modem for faster data transmission; AN/ALR-56M advanced RWR; AN/ALE-47 threat adaptive countermeasure system; digital terrain system data transfer cartridge; cockpit compatible with night vision systems; advanced IFF interrogator; Upgraded Programmable Display Generator (UPDG); MIL-STD-1760 data bus for programming new-generation PGMs; Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) for increased situational awareness and tactical flexibility on all missions.
The Block 50 also carries the Westinghouse AN/APG-68 V(5) radar, which offers longer-range detection against air targets and higher reliability. The radar has a programmable signal processor employing high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) technology. The latest batches of Block 50/52 carry the same radar, but versions V(7) and V(8) offer even greater-performance envelopes. The VHF/FM antenna is now incorporated into the leading edge of the vertical fin and has an extended operating distance. The cockpit includes two monochrome MFDs and a FOV HUD.
The Block 50s can fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the AGM-65G Maverick missile, and the PGU-28/B 20mm cannon round. The Block 50 can carry JDAM munition, the AGM-154A/B JSOW, and is the first F-16 version to integrate the AGM-84 Harpoon antishipping missile. The aircraft can launch the Harpoon in line-of-sight, bearing-only, and range/bearing modes. The addition of the Harpoon gives the F-16 a significant standoff range anti-shipping capability, especially when combined with optional 600-gallon fuel tanks.
It will go a long way at hurting Russia’s ability to conduct it’s war, but the aircraft alone will not win the war. It won’t be a match for air-to-air in most engagements and shouldn’t be used in that role. SAMs do a better job keeping the Russian air force grounded.
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