Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker's!

 Susceptible?

Overnight we have seen two more of these air refueling aircraft damaged in Saudi-Arabia, about two weeks ago one crashed and the other was damaged over Iraq, with the loss of eight crew and now another twelve injured!

The C-135 was a 1954 concept and went into service in 1957, most of today adapted fleet are fifty years old and they may not be able to deal with new weapons enemy fire, but its pot luck with these Iranian missiles barrages, that Israel is experiencing hourly?

Since 1961 they have been had several adaptions made to them, as there is so many you can do your own research into the differing versions!

The aircraft are not armed, but they do operate at very great heights and so far they are only operated by France and the U.S.A?

Old bombers for Iran!

 From the 1960's B-52 to the 1990's B-2?

What fire power the USAAF are deploying is old kit perhaps with modern computer chip technology and new types of bombs like the buster ammunition's, but last time around in the twelve day war they were not as effective, as the U.S. president wanted everyone to believe!

Now with the introduction of the Stealth B-1 there is hope tthat hey the will do a better job that the aging B-52's and forty year old B-2's, but in their own right they are old too some fifty plus years and nothing really new has been invested in the bomber fleet over that time?

As to fighters, only the F-22 and F-35 are newer kit, perhaps with improved long-range drones such as the triton, which is limited to day-light operations!

The truth about the USAAF is that even its air refueling KC-135's were new in the Vietnam war, proving a lack of investment, but they may do a good job in breaking the missile power of Iran, but ending the religious fanatics is a different matter?

Battery powered Trains!

 Filling in gaps between Mainlines?

Beaching in some ways destroyed Britain's railway networks, because of lack of traffic in the 1960's without vision, but today many of these branch and freight lines are being returned to public use!

The battery powered train is the future here for all the new housing projects and the need to connect with other mainlines, as is already at play in west-London with trials completed a small line is now operational and many are to follow?

Only the Newcastle Metro has met the tram-rail as yet, but is to be soon met with the Cardiff city expansion to the valley lines to reinforce commuter traffic to the capital morning and evening and at the weekend for night life!

There are at least one hundred connection that could be made across the U.K. and N-Ireland, if not many other islands that have existing rail or tram lines?

ARTEMIS!

 Back to the Moon?

It is claimed that this four person mission is a fly around and not a landing, so why send four, when it could be done with less, unless some form of landing is to be attempted just to check-out what was left can be re-used!

Maybe China and Russia have already made out and are building their join southern base camp, what a blow would that be to the United States and Europe?

But maybe that 70's space race is not a big deal anymore and more collaboration missions will be undertaken to explore the moons of our Solar System than wondering off the the nearest star!

The final frontier has much to offer up in visiting many places and wonders still near and far?

CONCORDE!

 Joint French-British Venture?

It is now the 50th anniversary of this supersonic civilian airline that was grounded after the Paris crash some 25 years ago, and despite many attempts to replace it nothing as yet has come to the fore!

The U.S. have a smaller test version, which is making some headway but as yet the past and present promises have come to nothing?

Over the years the billionaire Sir Richard Branson has wanted to restart the programmne but have been blocked by the British government, because after the accident at Paris, it was thought that the aircraft was vulnerable to ISIS inspired attacks!

Other reasons may have to do with aviation fuel consumption and zero carbon issues, the other is limited build and passengers, despite the Paris/London U.S. routes were the mainstay of the aircraft, with Singapore also operating it a replacement might go down very well if nations cooperated more so?

Pirated Crude!

 It will be hard to sell it On?

The U,S, now have five crude oil tankers seized and no one with any sense will want to buy them, since the sanctions on Venezuela are not UN, Congress or Internationally approved and the U.S. President is discovering it is hard to get rid of stolen goods!

His justification will not work for the oil companies ethos to both update and recover the industry, when it appears to be colonized and taken without a Internationally recognized treaty?

Meanwhile the capture of Greenland will be another headache for a leader who refuses now to drill and dig in his own backyard and create those promised Jobs.

New fuel for Shipping!

 Cheaper than the Electric engines for the New Year?

It is amazing that this has now been discovered and that battery powered tramps working on a loop keep steady power, something that could be adapted in the U.K. for the London Underground Circle line and also the clockwork orange in Glasgow in Scotland!

If investment could open the Hirwaun loop in south-Wales it would be an eye opener for travel and business, with many other applications in Cardiff and elsewhere?

Military drones are becoming more effective in the Ukraine and its security situation with Russia, but this is not same in the Middle-East, so one has to wonder is it really true or just British/European propaganda!

Despite all the advances, it looks like the U.S. will start mining coal again and the fossil fuel issues is not going away with the piracy of the high seas, driving prices up for all?

Happy New Year and a peaceful Eastern-Christmas!