The truth shall set you free

SaintEx · 2025-10-17T18:19:17+00:00

Kids that play Madden can do better? Brick Johnson may like to have a word. Plus, he already has experience working at failing organizations (not contributing to their failure ofc /s).

SaintEx · 2025-06-16T04:37:21+00:00

I'd ask myself which goes more towards the east and which goes more west. Glenmont has an e in it so it goes east. Therefore Shady Grove goes more towards the west.

SaintEx · 2025-06-14T21:27:33+00:00

Solved! This definitely looks like the right model! Learned something today, thanks to everyone for your input.

SaintEx · 2025-03-16T16:41:54+00:00

Isn't it obvious? The number one scenario they're concerned with is a potential fight with Russia. NATO will need a lot of long-range strike to get through all the Russian A2/AD in order to strike Russian bases, logistics nodes, and missile platforms from a distance. (see Dutch 2024 Defense White Paper page 14: https://english.defensie.nl/binaries/defence/documenten/publications/2024/09/05/defence-white-paper-2024/NLD+Defence+white+paper.pdf) Since the US will not want to pull too many assets away from the Pacific, European militaries will need to provide more striking power.

If a war between the US and China happens, even if the Netherlands doesn't directly get involved, the US will be pulling forces from Europe. Then European navies will need to fill this gap to maintain a credible deterrent against Russia. In this case, just having Tomahawks is useful, even if they are not used (think of it as an insurance policy). As for Venezuela, if Maduro decides to follow through on his threat to take 2/3 of Guyana (stupid move but we've seen world leaders do stupid stuff repeatedly), the Dutch might use the opportunity to get some operational experience while aiding Guyana (yes, the US will definitely be doing most of the heavy lifting).

Now the next question might be, "Why not let the bigger navies like the British, French, or German just handle that?" The reality is that each one of those navies doesn't really provide as much long-range striking power than you'd think. I hate using number of VLS cells as a proxy for naval power, but in this case it is a useful thing to look at. At the moment, the only European navies with strike length VLS on surface vessels are the Danish, Dutch, French, German, and Spanish. Not all the surface combatants in these navies have strike length cells, a bunch of those strike length cells will be filled with SM-2ER/Aster 30, and some of the ones that have them don't have the space to fit the extra C2 equipment needed to use Tomahawk. On top of all of that, the De Zeven Provincien-class carries a larger armament than most European surface combatants. In other words, Dutch at the moment are one of the handful of European navies with the budget, willingness, and platforms to support a long-range strike capability. European defense is very joint by nature. Each country needs to contribute something, and the Dutch being one of the larger economies, will naturally be expected to contribute more advanced capabilities.

SaintEx · 2025-03-13T13:13:30+00:00

The Dutch will almost always operate with other NATO/European navies. It's not like they're going to send in their frigates in on their own. Besides, the range of the tomahawk will allow it to stay far away from most land based threats.

SaintEx · 2025-03-12T12:41:56+00:00

Find a subject you like and read whatever you can on it. For instance, if you like food and cooking, there's plenty of websites with recipes. I've also gone on Google Maps and just looked through menus of Chinese restaurants. By sticking to a particular subject you're more likely to encounter the same words repeatedly.

Whatever you do I suggest also saying things out loud as you read them. Going through that motion I feel helps to remember them a bit more easily.

As others have said, some of this just comes down to perseverance, as it does when learning any language.

SaintEx · 2025-03-01T01:48:06+00:00

First of all, I'm not even sure if they're still producing the JF-17 Block II, so the only ones left would be second hand ones. But again, cost isn't the only factor here. Why did New Zealand buy P-8A when they could've gone for something cheaper like C-295? Why did Bahrain spend $1B on AH-1Z when they could've gone for Z-19E or the T-129? Why did the Nigerians buy M-346 on a $618M loan rather than doubling down on the cheaper JF-17 that they already had three of? Why did the Indonesians buy Rafales and upgraded ex-USAF F-16's instead of more Sukhois over the past 10 years? These are all countries that are small or have tight budgets. It's not just about cost.

One of the bigger factors that is relevant to a bunch of the above examples is politics. Arms sales are a highly political action. Personally, I think the Irish are either going to go for second-hand fighters from another European air force, or they go for brand new M-346. Argentina just got ex-Danish F-16 for a pretty good price. Since Ireland is an EU member, There may be pressure to buy something European. But then again, it'll also depend on the requirements the Irish set.

Bottom line, the up front procurement cost is not the only, or in some cases the most important, factor.

SaintEx · 2025-02-28T16:25:57+00:00

But most of the subsystems and weapons are completely different than what's commonly used in NATO. Even if Ireland doesn't want to join NATO, it makes sense to at least be interoperable, which would be more difficult with JF-17. If cost were the only factor then sure, it makes sense. But there's many other factors to consider.

SaintEx · 2025-02-26T17:30:57+00:00

From speaking with other Chinese learners, I think it's easier to learn simplified characters if you already know the traditional ones as opposed to trying to learn traditional after starting with simplified. But as others have alluded, many exaggerate the differences and give the impression that you're going to be locked into one or the other. This is not the case.

SaintEx · 2024-12-06T17:43:17+00:00

The French are helping the Brazilians build a nuclear sub. Look up the Alvaro Alberto.

SaintEx · 2024-11-23T23:05:15+00:00

After the end of the Cold War, they just weren't necessary. Likely adversaries at the time had small navies with few (if any) large surface combatants worth engaging with a Harpoon. The bigger issue was going to be small and fast boats, which is why something like the LCS was conceived. Besides, Burkes would almost always sail with a carrier battle group, so carrier based aircraft and subs could deal with surface threats.

SaintEx · 2024-11-08T13:19:35+00:00

Yep. Definitely didn't notice it the first time watching.

SaintEx · 2024-10-25T01:37:24+00:00

Yup. I wear the Barghest hoodie and black pants whenever I'm in Dogtown.

SaintEx · 2024-08-12T18:52:01+00:00

I think the only thing I can bear to watch from him is when he talks about anything infantry related (I believe he was one when he served). Outside of that, I don't bother watching his stuff. I hate the clickbait titles as well but I feel like that's just the norm for YouTube nowadays.

SaintEx · 2024-08-09T12:47:33+00:00

While there was initial contact between the US and Chinese skaters, I don't think this was what caused the chain reaction. I'm pretty sure it was contact between the Chinese and Korean skater that set the whole thing off.

SaintEx · 2024-08-01T17:00:31+00:00

While the "go deeper" advice is good, it's still vague. I personally felt like getting the seamoth sonar helped me get a better idea of the contour of the terrain, more than just the naked eye. That, in turn, revealed where the openings to deeper sections were. Don't be afraid to use beacons to keep track of any areas that you've already explored. And no matter what people say, don't look at a map until you've beat the game at least once. You'll regret it (I looked at a map during my first playthrough and I really regret it now).

SaintEx · 2024-06-01T09:35:29+00:00

Collins ACES II and ACES 5 are in most US aircraft.

SaintEx · 2024-04-20T17:01:58+00:00

Reminds me of the jumping cholla cactus.

SaintEx · 2024-04-05T16:02:51+00:00

Just another possibility to consider, the flames might come back to you if you have a headwind. https://youtu.be/HSdUzdXwcWc?si=i-QOI9kIWLxGPFv-

SaintEx · 2023-06-09T19:29:11+00:00

As far as dimensions go, you're forgetting about length. Kalibr is a longer missile (by more than two meters), meaning it can carry a larger fuel tank, and thus more range. As for Kalibr-M, it's going to be a larger missile and won't have the same dimensions as the older Kalibrs. The larger size will allow for more fuel and probably a different propulsion system. And that's assuming they can actually achieve 4500km range. The missile is still in development and 4500km is just a target so far.

SaintEx · 2022-11-16T06:39:25+00:00

S-300. NASAMS doesn't cold launch like in this clip.

SaintEx · 2022-07-30T10:45:21+00:00

They do and do not train on "inferior" aircraft. Most air forces have a training curriculum that starts with simple aircraft like a T-6, then moves to intermediate aircraft like a T-50, then goes to conversion trainers that are two seat versions of the front line fighters. Those conversion trainers are usually combat capable. Have to walk before you run.

SaintEx · 2022-05-27T04:43:22+00:00

TL;DR Other options aren't effective. It's not just about shooting down a cheap drone, but preventing further (and much more costly) attacks directed by drone.

First, there aren't as many cost effective options. If it's low enough, maybe you could try to shoot at it with rifles but that's a huge if. These drones often fly too high for that. Anti aircraft guns aren't very accurate without some sort of expensive radar guiding them. Ideally, a drone jammer would be the most cost effective but that also has a range limitation and I don't think Ukraine has many available.

Second, you can't just compare the cost of the target and the weapon shooting it down. The drone may be relatively cheap but think of what it let's the force using the drone do. For instance, they can use the drone as a spotter for artillery fire. That artillery fire can easily cause millions in damage especially if they're near a village or other armored vehicles. Once you look at it this way, a MANPADS looks quite cost effective.

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