iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

New SEAPOWER is live! Let's talk about the (admittedly crazy sounding) idea to issue Letters of Marque to private military groups in the event of a war with China... and why it might not be as crazy as it sounds: youtu.be/TgGVttwEi1I?...

youtu.be

Could American PIRATES help win a war with China?

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

New video is live! I was recently asked why the F-22 has a gold tinted canopy — and the answer is a lot cooler than just blocking some sunlight: youtu.be/KFqvVhaOrDU?...

youtu.be

The incredible stealth tech behind tinted cockpit canopies

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Did we just get a glimpse of one of the NGAD technology demonstrators in the new Air Force recruiting commercial? (I’ve brightened these images for more detail)

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

New video is live! Ukraine's F-16s are now flying daily offensive and defensive combat operations: youtu.be/pg2IhAAYy6E?...

youtu.be

Ukraine's F-16s are now flying multiple combat missions per day

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

New AirPower is live! Let’s answer some of your most pressing questions about America’s new stealth fighter: Boeing’s F-47 youtu.be/nX0F06Dgpkc?...

youtu.be

Answering YOUR questions about Boeing's new F-47 stealth fighter

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The US is reportedly going to award the Navy’s F/A-XX contract as soon as this week: youtu.be/C9r2a84R1uo?...

youtu.be

BREAKING: US set to announce ANOTHER new stealth fighter (the Navy's F/A-XX)

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

New AirPower is live! Let’s talk about America’s new drone-killing air-to-air interceptor and why it’s such a big deal: youtu.be/gWtX4FgwS44?...

youtu.be

America's newest air-to-air missile is a drone's worst nightmare

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

If anyone’s watching the Twelve Hours of Sebring race today, pay extra close attention to the safety car (Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing) — my brother’s driving it!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

I was approached by a literary agent about writing a book about a specific facet of aviation history and I’m torn. I love the idea of writing another book…but my schedule is limited. Would you guys prefer I spent any available time I have on videos, or would you buy a book?

media.tenor.com

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

This is an objectively bad take. America’s defensive support of Europe, like its effort to stabilize shipping lanes the world over (and more) aren’t acts of charity — they’re the source of much of America’s diplomatic leverage. Influence is geopolitical currency.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Quick comparison I whipped up for the original F-15A versus today’s F-15EX. The value of these changes aren’t just about replacing gauges with screens, but streamlining the way information flows to our pilots, reducing cognitive load and allowing them to focus on what matters.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

The guys at Hermeus were kind enough to provide me with 3D models of their Quarterhorse and Dark Horse hypersonic aircraft for a video that I’m working on! I may not be able to print in titanium like they can, but I’m still stoked to get these printing!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

New video is live! Let’s talk about just how cool the B-1B could have gotten… youtu.be/1_yEzJR9bH8?...

youtu.be

B-1R: The world's BIGGEST air superiority fighter?!

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

And the custom magnetic stand is incredible in itself!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Just got home and had this incredible piece of custom cutlery waiting for me! A few months ago, I reached out to Hintze Custom Knives and asked if he could build a Klingon D’k Tahg… and he told me he wasn’t sure, but he’d try. I would call this a RESOUNDING success!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

I look like I flew to Denver to teach a community college class about the history of low observable aviation. 😂

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

In case anyone’s forgotten, Hamas is an Iranian proxy. Iran considers Russia a “strategic partner,” with the two nations deepening ties significantly since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine. The binding agent between these groups is a shared opposition to the United States.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

The Martin Baker ejection seat may be able to handle my weight… but I don’t think you’d be able to close the canopy of the F-16 with me in it…

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Lockheed Martin’s new CMMT cruise missile with a big doofy oaf for scale.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, asking someone what they think of the F-35 is an excellent way to quickly assess their media literacy. Also, F-35s have officially crossed 1 million flight hours.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

New images (and render) of Lockheed Martin’s CMMT™ (pronounced “comet”) low-cost air vehicles being unveiled today. The drop test shown in the third image was to demonstrate the system’s ability to integrate with Rapid Dragon

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

I'll be on the road next week to attend the AFA Warfare Symposium in Denver, so I've got the next two episodes of AirPower recorded and turned over for edit: Next Week: Turning the Bone into the B-1R Week After: Why the YF-23 lost the ATF competition

media.tenor.com

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Whether you call the dome Iron or Gold… building an Air Defense shield around America is a much bigger job than some would have you believe: youtu.be/iRN1Eg5j7ZM?...

youtu.be

Is the Golden (Iron) Dome for America plan actually possible?

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

I’ve gotten to talk to lots of Intel folks and “spies” over the years, and the one thing that’s really stood out to me is that most of what they do is done with limited resources and no high-tech gadgetry. Just dudes doing their best, powered by sheer audacity. It’s incredible.

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit and tie stands next to a woman with the words " are you having second thoughts " above them

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Aligning with despots isn’t American. That is not a political position. But I know people are going to act like it is, because people who have made political warfare the foundation of their identities can’t tolerate criticism of anything from their “side.” And that sucks too.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

New image released by the DoD, taken from the X-37B at what seems (to my untrained eye) to be a very high earth orbit. This shot was taken during a flight that tested aerobraking maneuvers to change orbits with reduced fuel requirements.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

1/5 scale AIM-9, AIM-174B, AIM-120 are all finally done!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

1/5 scale AIM-174 with its first coat of paint!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Posters are up! Still working on the new missiles.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Just got our new AirPower framed posters in! I only have room for two at a time in my background though… Decisions Decisions

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Jeeze, the Typhoon class were genuinely massive submarines.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Changing up the background in my office once some new posters arrive, so I figured I’d print some 1/5 scale ordnance to replace the 1/8 scale ones. New AMRAAM (before paint) compared to the old one.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

I am man enough to admit that I grew up absolutely loving Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so when I heard there was a reboot coming, I decided it was finally time for a rewatch. I… was not prepared to relate this much to Giles. I am so old.

media.tenor.com

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

My daughter when I say it’s bed time:

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

If you get this reference, we can be friends.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

I like to think I’m a fairly competent dude with a lot of academic and even a bit of practical experience in the technical world… but no matter how much I read about quantum computing, my brain still struggles to find its footing with it.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

New video is live! Let’s talk about the Air Force’s vision for air warfare in 2050… and the big changes they want to make before then. youtu.be/jhARNSTC1qQ?...

youtu.be

The Air Force's predictions for the future of warfare

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

3D print of the Caution and Warning System control panel from the Apollo command module — exactly what my office needed!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

New video is live! Here’s a rundown on America’s drone fighter efforts, and how close they are to coming to fruition: youtu.be/OuoTas3AaxU?...

youtu.be

America's CCA drone fighters will change warfare forever

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I turn 40 today, which is… shocking. I genuinely spent the first 25 or so years of my life assuming I’d die young and making no real effort to prevent it. Then I became a dad, and I’m more grateful for every day. Cheers to getting old! But also:

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a man wearing glasses and a suit is yelling at someone and says `` get off my lawn '' .

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I’m slow to learn new social media apps, which is a big part of why I tend to be a slow adopter too… but jeeze is Twitter increasingly useless. I may feel like I’m talking into the wind on BlueSky sometimes, but at least the wind isn’t angry and insane…

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a man in a suit and tie says i 'm just tired netflix

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

As much as I love the show Firefly, when they said, “you can’t take the sky from me,” they probably didn’t know about the ASM-135 Anti-Satellite missile.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

I haven’t played a Call of Duty game in years, but Black Ops 6 was on Game Pass, so I figured why not? Holy hell… I was not expecting to fight terrifying ghost monsters and killer mannequins. I mean, I’m good with it, but it is NOT what I expected.

media.tenor.com

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Despite all the negative buzz, I figured I’d try to give the Section 31 movie as fair a shake as I possibly could. And I’m here to report that it really is bad… It felt like a SyFy original movie they just slapped Star Trek branding on.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Remember, if you’re cold, they’re cold. Bring your F-35s inside.

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Teleprompter is all set up. Time to take this thing for a spin!

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

New video is live! The NGAD program is facing a serious problem that, thus far, has gone largely under-discussed... But it could be the biggest hurdle between the new stealth fighter and a production contract. youtu.be/3hSLLTdQStE?...

youtu.be

The BIG problem the Air Force's NGAD fighter has to overcome

YouTube video by Sandboxx

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Alex Hollings @alexhollings52.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Adding a teleprompter to my setup so I can finally stop winging it in every video!

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