Zach
@thrustwr.bsky.social
Former NavalNews & USNINews writer, Track Fuser, R-1/P-1 Budget Reader.
For defense-related stuff
Site: https://defensearchives.com/news
For defense-related stuff
Site: https://defensearchives.com/news
Pinned
Zach
@thrustwr.bsky.social
· Aug 11
The second edition of my introductory piece on the PATRIOT system is now public. I have once again put a lot of effort into this and added the necessary graphics, so go grab a copy (it is free!) and enjoy!.
patreon.com/posts/109863935
patreon.com/posts/109863935
Reposted by Zach
McDonnell F-4 Phantom II - The Flying Brick? 🧵
When reading about the Phantom, I commonly come across expressions like "the triumph of thrust over aerodynamics" or "even a brick can fly if you stick a big enough engine on it".
When reading about the Phantom, I commonly come across expressions like "the triumph of thrust over aerodynamics" or "even a brick can fly if you stick a big enough engine on it".
January 11, 2026 at 9:07 PM
McDonnell F-4 Phantom II - The Flying Brick? 🧵
When reading about the Phantom, I commonly come across expressions like "the triumph of thrust over aerodynamics" or "even a brick can fly if you stick a big enough engine on it".
When reading about the Phantom, I commonly come across expressions like "the triumph of thrust over aerodynamics" or "even a brick can fly if you stick a big enough engine on it".
Idk what it says about the EU that only discussions we are seeing publicly for military options are from the UK, a non-EU country. I feel like most EU countries still have not grasped the idea that they might have to defend (physically) one of their own from the US.
January 11, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Idk what it says about the EU that only discussions we are seeing publicly for military options are from the UK, a non-EU country. I feel like most EU countries still have not grasped the idea that they might have to defend (physically) one of their own from the US.
These two DDR5 sticks (mediocre ones at that) cost me €129 ($150) when I bought them 3 years ago. These same sticks are worth €390 ($453) today.
January 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
These two DDR5 sticks (mediocre ones at that) cost me €129 ($150) when I bought them 3 years ago. These same sticks are worth €390 ($453) today.
The scale of destruction happening in the consumer electronics hardware market due to the Ai bubble is insane. Billion dollar companies hoarding RAM and storage for server racks they can't power. OpenAi basically declaring it booked nearly half of global memory production for 3-4 years.
January 10, 2026 at 3:18 PM
The scale of destruction happening in the consumer electronics hardware market due to the Ai bubble is insane. Billion dollar companies hoarding RAM and storage for server racks they can't power. OpenAi basically declaring it booked nearly half of global memory production for 3-4 years.
The total disregard he has for something as precious as life makes my blood boil.
January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The total disregard he has for something as precious as life makes my blood boil.
I guess you could say today is cold.
January 9, 2026 at 1:24 PM
I guess you could say today is cold.
RIP Solwind P78-1 you will forever be remembered for the most aesthetic F-15A photos known to man.
January 9, 2026 at 12:56 PM
RIP Solwind P78-1 you will forever be remembered for the most aesthetic F-15A photos known to man.
Reposted by Zach
And somehow Ukraine during wartime continues to produce more artillery barrels and wheeled artillery systems (2S22s) than any NATO nation today. This capability was stood-up from 0 at the start of the war.
If Ukraine lacks for artillery, then its worth considering that this fires deficit is despite the fact that they (1) entered the war with a very respectable munitions stockpile and (2) have been burning off shells as fast as the US and EU - even after massive production investments - can make them.
January 6, 2026 at 12:47 PM
And somehow Ukraine during wartime continues to produce more artillery barrels and wheeled artillery systems (2S22s) than any NATO nation today. This capability was stood-up from 0 at the start of the war.
The US has been the top global producer and exporter of crude oil, LNG and other petroleum products for many years now. (This is not necessarily a good thing for the environment) Nonetheless, this is why experts in this area are so confused by the nakedly imperialistic justifications of this Admin.
January 6, 2026 at 5:02 AM
The US has been the top global producer and exporter of crude oil, LNG and other petroleum products for many years now. (This is not necessarily a good thing for the environment) Nonetheless, this is why experts in this area are so confused by the nakedly imperialistic justifications of this Admin.
Seven Days to the Potomac River
January 6, 2026 at 3:44 AM
Seven Days to the Potomac River
The transatlantic relationship has gone through a lot and started with the US immediately trying to cut its losses upon its creation. But this shit is beyond insane. Talking in absolutes is something that is avoided in FP circles but it is hard to see how this doesn't result in serious damage.
TAPPER: Can you rule out the US is going to take Greenland by force?
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
January 6, 2026 at 3:01 AM
The transatlantic relationship has gone through a lot and started with the US immediately trying to cut its losses upon its creation. But this shit is beyond insane. Talking in absolutes is something that is avoided in FP circles but it is hard to see how this doesn't result in serious damage.
For a few days now, I have been obsessed with Frostpunk (it was on Steam winter sale for €3). An attempt to not take a heavy handed approach with the people of my city has instead led me down a path of religious control. There are now shrines next to workplaces and churches everywhere.
January 5, 2026 at 11:54 AM
For a few days now, I have been obsessed with Frostpunk (it was on Steam winter sale for €3). An attempt to not take a heavy handed approach with the people of my city has instead led me down a path of religious control. There are now shrines next to workplaces and churches everywhere.
A lot of people expect incompetence to slow down or make US military conduct hard. But the US Armed Forces are not incompetent, which is why this force must remain under the control of those that will not use it for shit like this.
January 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM
A lot of people expect incompetence to slow down or make US military conduct hard. But the US Armed Forces are not incompetent, which is why this force must remain under the control of those that will not use it for shit like this.
How does this make this situation in Venezuela any better?
How does this make them less friendly with China or Russia?
How does slow down the outflow of drugs?
How does this slow down the outflow of migrants?
If he is replaced, things continue the same, if not, country plunges into Civil war.
How does this make them less friendly with China or Russia?
How does slow down the outflow of drugs?
How does this slow down the outflow of migrants?
If he is replaced, things continue the same, if not, country plunges into Civil war.
January 3, 2026 at 12:30 PM
How does this make this situation in Venezuela any better?
How does this make them less friendly with China or Russia?
How does slow down the outflow of drugs?
How does this slow down the outflow of migrants?
If he is replaced, things continue the same, if not, country plunges into Civil war.
How does this make them less friendly with China or Russia?
How does slow down the outflow of drugs?
How does this slow down the outflow of migrants?
If he is replaced, things continue the same, if not, country plunges into Civil war.
Doesn't really matter if Maduro was behind half the shit Miller & Co believe he did/does. This is illegal and all Western governments should call it into question. This Admin's guiding national strategy document marked European democracies as their enemies for not confirming to their policies.
January 3, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Doesn't really matter if Maduro was behind half the shit Miller & Co believe he did/does. This is illegal and all Western governments should call it into question. This Admin's guiding national strategy document marked European democracies as their enemies for not confirming to their policies.
it is funny that I played the most when I had work (Dec 2024 till May 2025) and started playing less when I my summer break started (Jul-Aug).
December 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
it is funny that I played the most when I had work (Dec 2024 till May 2025) and started playing less when I my summer break started (Jul-Aug).
Putting together some timelines
December 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Putting together some timelines
This whole saga started back in 2023 when I told Konrad I had nothing against Merchant Mariners (they are indeed valuable people who do a tremendous amount of work) and he decided to pivot hard into this being some kind of underhanded antisemitism. His response was insane:
December 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
This whole saga started back in 2023 when I told Konrad I had nothing against Merchant Mariners (they are indeed valuable people who do a tremendous amount of work) and he decided to pivot hard into this being some kind of underhanded antisemitism. His response was insane:
Innovative ideas back then: (Naval Postgraduate School cooking up diabolical ideas)
November 26, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Innovative ideas back then: (Naval Postgraduate School cooking up diabolical ideas)
Clearly @uticaeric.bsky.social doesn't have the innovative mindset gene. Get on the grind.
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Clearly @uticaeric.bsky.social doesn't have the innovative mindset gene. Get on the grind.
All this talk about strengthening the atrophy in the shipbuilding industrial followed by cancelation of major shipbuilding programs that are sustaining whatever dwindling number of shipyards the US has left.
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
All this talk about strengthening the atrophy in the shipbuilding industrial followed by cancelation of major shipbuilding programs that are sustaining whatever dwindling number of shipyards the US has left.
F/A-XX in shambles, Connie canceled, LSM/LAW stuck in perpetual torment, SM-6 production in shambles, F-35C buys at lowest rates, F/A-18E/F line being terminated, DDG(X) sent to the indeterminate future. The US Navy's century of Burkiliation is here. Arleigh-Burkes now and forever.
November 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
F/A-XX in shambles, Connie canceled, LSM/LAW stuck in perpetual torment, SM-6 production in shambles, F-35C buys at lowest rates, F/A-18E/F line being terminated, DDG(X) sent to the indeterminate future. The US Navy's century of Burkiliation is here. Arleigh-Burkes now and forever.
One of the most annoying things about the Constellation class is that people complain about the fact that the US Navy bought an existing design and then modified it. Like, what was it supposed to do? Operate French and Italian radars, missiles, guns, sonars, combat systems?
NAVSEA picked a design based on a mature parent design under the pretext that this was easier/faster/cheaper than starting from scratch. They were both right (the program moved very fast) and wrong (design modifications to support USN systems were immense).
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
One of the most annoying things about the Constellation class is that people complain about the fact that the US Navy bought an existing design and then modified it. Like, what was it supposed to do? Operate French and Italian radars, missiles, guns, sonars, combat systems?
I don't even have much to say. This was a good vessel, the USN panicked at the slightest hint of delays and now is killing the program. There has not been a single vessel in US Navy service that hasn't been redesigned, delayed, and had some cost overruns in the last 60~ years.
This is the stupidest and most self-destructive USN procurement decision in at least a decade.
Constellation was a relatively healthy program and progressing on a realistic budget and schedule, mostly baseless criticism of it notwithstanding.
Constellation was a relatively healthy program and progressing on a realistic budget and schedule, mostly baseless criticism of it notwithstanding.
BREAKING: Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program, Considering New Small Surface Combatants — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
November 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I don't even have much to say. This was a good vessel, the USN panicked at the slightest hint of delays and now is killing the program. There has not been a single vessel in US Navy service that hasn't been redesigned, delayed, and had some cost overruns in the last 60~ years.