How McCain and his best friend from Naval Academy - who graduated top of the class and became an Admiral - chose their burial plots side-by-side 20 years ago

• John McCain was buried at US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Sunday following five-day memorial 
• He was laid to rest alongside his old friend Admiral Chuck Larson at a site overlooking the Severn River
• The pair first met at the Academy, graduating together in 1958. Unlike Larson, McCain was at bottom of class
• But the two became lifelong friends, even earning their wings together at the Naval Air Station Pensacola
• The senator, unlike his father and grandfather, decided not to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery 

As John McCain was laid to rest on Sunday at the US Naval Academy, he was reunited with his dearest friend.

It was 20 years ago that the six-term senator and Adm Chuck Larson decided they would spend the rest of eternity by each other's side, their graves overlooking the Severn River - where they first met - in Annapolis, Maryland.

Larson came home one day and announced to his wife Sarah that he had selected four plots at the Academy - two for them, and two for McCain and his wife Cindy. 

Then, almost as if it was an afterthought, Larson added: 'By the way, John is going to be next to me.' 

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As John McCain was laid to rest on Sunday at the US Naval Academy, he was reunited with his dearest friend Adm Chuck Larson. Sarah Larson remarked on Friday that 'Chuck has his wingman back now' 

'Chuck has his wingman back now,' Sarah told CNN. 

McCain and Larson first met at the Academy, graduating together in 1958. Larson was near the top of the class, while McCain graduated fifth from the bottom. 

But the two became lifelong friends, earning their wings together at the Naval Air Station Pensacola after graduating and later living together during their advanced flight training at NAS Corpus Christi. 

Larson then entered submarine service and went on to become the second-youngest admiral in history at the age of 43. 

In 1991, Larson was named commander in chief of the US Pacific Command – the same post previously held by Senator McCain's father. Larson died of pneumonia in 2014, after undergoing two years of treatment for leukemia.

McCain elected not to be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, where his father and grandfather - both admirals - are buried.

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McCain and Larson first met at the Academy, graduating together in 1958. Larson (left) was near the top of the class, while McCain (right) graduated fifth from the bottom

Instead, he explained in a recent memoir, he wanted to be buried 'near where it began'.   

While it might seem unusual to be laid to rest next to a best friend, it is not uncommon for military academy graduates.

World War II Fleet Adm Chester Nimitz is buried near high-ranking academy comrades at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Francisco. 

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But the two became lifelong friends, earning their wings together at the Naval Air Station Pensacola after graduating

And it is believed that US Navy hero William B Cushing may have had his friends reinterred in Annapolis so that they could rest together forever.

Near his grave are two of his academy friends, who were killed during the Civil War. 

While McCain himself admitted he had a 'complicated relationship' with the Naval Academy, it was clear even later in life that he held it dear to his heart. 

'My appreciation for those lessons and for the friendships I made here bring me back often,' he said while speaking to midshipmen at the academy in October last year. 

'So does my gratitude for the life of adventure the Naval Academy prepared for me, and for the privilege of being a bit player in the story of America that the Navy made possible.' 

McCain's final journey ended on Sunday as he was laid to rest, his casket carried by a horse-drawn carriage and followed by a procession of mourners from the academy's chapel to its cemetery following a private service.    

The senator's widow, Cindy, and his children were among those who walked behind the caisson. Joining them were family and friends as well as members of McCain's Class of 1958 and military leaders.

Cindy laid her head on his casket and his sons embraced as the family said their last goodbyes to the longtime politician.  

It was a day of privacy and ceremony following a five-day procession that served as a final call to arms for a nation McCain warned could lose its civility and sense of shared purpose.

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The friends also lived together during their advanced flight training at NAS Corpus Christi. Larson then entered submarine service and went on to become the second-youngest admiral in history at the age of 43

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Larson and McCain decided more than 20 years ago that they would be buried next to each other. Pictured is a wooden stake marking the spot where McCain will be buried next to Larson

The missing man formation flew overhead, signaling the end of his private burial. 

The private ceremony in Annapolis was as carefully planned as the rest of McCain's farewell tour, which began in Arizona after he died on August 25 from brain cancer and stretched to Washington.

Jack McCain, who has been a steady presence in a white Navy uniform by his mother's side for the past five days, paid tribute to his father in the private ceremony, wearing his father's Navy wings.

'He fought hard, obstinately, exuberantly because he liked to fight, but more importantly, because he believed in what he was fighting for,' Jack said.  

'My father fought and suffered, endured defeats, rose from the ground and fought again to keep faith with his heroes, to safeguard the country he loved and her causes, to be a better man, and to make a better world.' 

Sen Lindsey Graham and General David Petraeus led the tributes. 

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A tearful Cindy McCain lays her head on her husband's casket as she says her last goodbyes on Sunday afternoon

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Roberta McCain, 106, in wheelchair, attends the funeral service for her son at the US Naval Academy Chapel on Sunday 

Petraeus said McCain was a man of 'great courage, unshakable determination, and unwavering devotion to our country and those who defend it'. 

Graham, appearing on CNN's State of the Union Sunday morning, talked about a private moment he and Cindy McCain had in the Senate chamber on Friday, where she was able to sit at McCain's desk.

'It meant a lot to Cindy to sit at his desk,' Graham said. 

Graham said his tribute would honor McCain's military service and his love of service members.  

'I'm going to talk about my travels with the troops and how much they loved John McCain,' Graham said on Fox News Sunday.

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The McCain family follow his casket following a private service at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

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The private ceremony in Annapolis was as carefully planned as the rest of McCain's farewell tour, which began in Arizona after he died on August 25 from brain cancer and stretched to Washington 

Family members followed a horse-drawn caisson carrying McCain's casket to the United States Naval Academy cemeteryNobody loved a soldier more than John McCain,' he said. 

The Navy Choir sang Amazing Grace and McCain's longtime aide and co-author Mark Salter also paid tribute to the life of the late senator.

Among the pallbearers were Frank Gamboa, his academy roommate; Defense Secretary Jim Mattis; Revlon Chairman Ronald Perelman; his son-in-law Ben Domenech; and two men who were POWs with McCain in Vietnam, John Fer and Everett Alvarez Jr. 

As the hearse carrying McCain passed through a gate and into the academy, there was a loud applause from the several hundred people lining the street outside on the hot and muggy summer day. 

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Jimmy McCain hugs his brother Jack McCain, touching casket, as their mother Cindy looks on during the funeral 

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As the hearse carrying McCain passed through a gate and into the academy, there was a loud applause from the several hundred people lining the street outside on the hot and muggy summer day 

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At the end of the interment, Air Force jets flew overhead in the missing man formation.  The aerial salute is typically in memory of a fallen pilot, a well-known military service member or veteran, or a well-known political figure

Many held their hands over their hearts and waved American flags and applauded loudly as some shouted 'God bless you'. 

A private interment was then conducted by the US Navy Chaplain. At the end of the interment, Air Force jets flew overhead in the missing man formation. 

The aerial salute, performed at a funeral or memorial event, is typically in memory of a fallen pilot, a well-known military service member or veteran, or a well-known political figure.

McCain, a Navy pilot who was shot down in the Vietnam War and held as a prisoner for five years, was accorded full military honors.

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Meghan McCain spoke at a memorial service for her father on Saturday. 'The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,' she said to roaring applause family and friends, along with the US Naval Academy Class of 1958, naval and military leaders, and the Brigade of Midshipmen were invited to the ceremony. 

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McCain died on August 25 after a year-long struggle with brain cancer. He was 81 years old

At a memorial on Saturday, speeches by his daughter Meghan and two former presidents – Republican George W Bush and Democrat Barack Obama – remembered McCain as a patriot who could bridge painful rivalries.

But even as their remarks made clear their admiration for him, they represented a repudiation of President Donald Trump's brand of tough-talking, divisive politics.

'So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult and phoney controversies and manufactured outrage,' Obama said.

'It's a politics that pretends to be brave and tough but in fact is born in fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that.'

Bush, who called his 2000 rival for the Republican presidential nomination a friend, said: 'John's voice will always come as a whisper over our shoulder – we are better than this, America is better than this.'

But it was Meghan McCain's emotional remarks that most bluntly rebuked Trump, who had mocked her father for getting captured in Vietnam.

At the pulpit of the spectacular cathedral, with Trump's daughter Ivanka in the audience, McCain's daughter delivered a broadside against the uninvited president.

'The America of John McCain,' she declared with a steely stare, 'has no need to be made great again because America was always great.'

The audience of Washington's military, civilian and other leaders burst into applause.

Trump spent Saturday tweeting and golfing in Virginia. 

CHINA'S DARK SWORD UAV'S

…from SouthFront

China’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles development in general corresponds to global trends. Though in view of its technological lag that existed until recently, Beijing emphasized copying US and Israeli craft.

China, however, has made a qualitative leap in the last 10-15 years in establishing its own UAV scientific and technological infrastructure. The new Chinese UAV types are equal, and in some respects even superior to their US equivalents. They have a competitive price and, therefore, high export potential. This is true, for example, for the reconnaissance CH-5 (Caihong-5).

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) UAVs’ tasks and missions are likewise similar to the US ones. Their main functions are:

• Reconnaissance;
• Target designation;
• Missile strikes on land targets;
• EW;

Today such craft are mainly used in operations against asymmetrical and, as a rule, technologically less well equipped adversaries like small states, contested grounds via indirect war by proxy, terrorist/rebel forces, etc. At the same time, given the current level of technology, it’s difficult to imagine a conflict among big players without massive UAV use.

Unlike the US, China does not have its own wealth of experience in UAV combat use, though some believe that Chinese drones used, for example, in Myanmar and Laos, are flown by Chinese operators. The PLA actively uses drones for surveillance of maritime and land borders, and for combating piracy.

UAVs play a big role in PLA’s missions in pursuit of Chinese regional and global interests. Beijing seeks to create military capabilities enabling it to act effectively both in indirect and direct clashes with a technologically advanced adversary, which first and foremost includes the United States. Therefore China’s military and political leaders have pursued the development of novel weapons types, including supersonic and hypersonic UAVs.

One of such future UAV development paths is the AVIC 601-S program. It had led to the construction of such experimental vehicles as Sky Crossbow, Wind Blade, Cloud Bow, Warrior Eagle, Sharp Sword, and Dark Sword. Chinese scientists are actively experimenting on various layout schemes (flying wing, forward-swept wings, etc.) and technological innovations in order to arrive at optimal solutions for UAVs, in order to increase their speed, maneuverability, and stealth.

The Dark Sword (Anjian), whose photos appeared in the media in early June, is a qualitatively different UAV, according to expert assessments.

Dark Sword’s conceptual model was initially demonstrated to the public in 2006 a the Chkhuhai airshow in the Guandong Province, and at the 47th International Air Salon at Le Bourget in 2007. Alleged Dark Sword flight photos appeared later, in 2011, but their veracity is doubtful.

The Dark Sword was being developed by the Shenyang Aeroplane Design Institution as part of the aforementioned  AVIC 601-S program. Its development and production costs are unknown.

The limited information available in open sources makes it difficult to draw accurate conclusions concerning its characteristics, which led some to claim it is capable of hypersonic speeds. Updated conclusions and assumptions have been made mainly on the basis of a Dark Sword photo which appeared in the Internet.

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This UAV’s design indicates Chinese engineers were aiming to achieve:

• high speed and flight radius;
• maneuverability;
• reduced radar observability;

According to some estimates Dark Sword can reach Mach 1, though others claim it’s Mach 2. This is suggested by the tail control surfaces and also the Diverterless Supersonic Inlet  (DSI). Its use allows to  reduce air resistance at high speeds and radar observability. Similar technologies ae being used on the Chengdu J-20 and J-31 fighters, and on the US F-35 Lightning II.

Dark Sword ought to have high maneuverability thanks to its canard layout and twin vertical stabilizers. Its stealth is enhanced by the use of radar-absorbing materials and the above-mentioned DSI air intakes. It’s believed Dark Sword could be produced in two variants, manned and unmanned. It will most likely be armed by the most advanced Chinese missiles, such as the PL-15 and its variants.

Experts’ views on the Dark Sword development vary. According to the Military Watch Magazine, Dark Sword could enter operational use in the near future and thus become the world’s first 6th-generation fighter. It can’t be ruled out, however, this is only an experimental testbed to test a variety of next-generation technologies. Justin Bronk at RUSI notes that “we only see that which the Chinese want us to see”. Therefore we can’t assess the veracity of the photograph or reflect on the circumstances in which it was made. Thus it is unknown whether China is actually financing a project which will soon reach its completion phase, or is merely trying to induce other countries to spend money on similar costly projects with uncertain future.

It is highly probable that the Dark Sword and other AVIC 601-S program vehicles are mainly experimental. But if Dark Sword becomes an operational weapon, it will have a fundamental impact on the wars of the future.

The Chinese UAV could be used not only for reconnaissance and ground target strikes as part of the existing UAV doctrine, but also break through enemy defenses and strike deep targets. It could operate independently as a strike UAV or as part of a force package, supporting piloted aircraft.

Given its extended range, it can be used to attack land, air (including other UAVs) and naval targets, for example, carrier battlegroups. Dark Sword could be further developed for aircraft carrier operations.

Dark Sword will become a delivery vehicle for various weapons, including long-range air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, but in the future also lasers. It could also carry mobile and highly effective electronic warfare systems to disrupt land forces, air, and naval communications systems. One has to consider the possibility Dark Sword could be used as a “suicide” UAV, but that’s not as likely considering its cost.

UAV operator training should take less time and money than pilot training, since their level of qualifications is much lower.

Other countries could respond to the Chinese challenge in several ways.

From the technical point of view, other countries will seek to create similar high-speed UAVs in conjunction with already existing systems. This approach would require considerable expenditure and time. It’s highly likely the US will continue the development of own hypersonic technologies.

Another approach is improving air defense, electronic warfare, and, possibly, lasers, capable of “burning” its electronic payloads. Since UAVs depend on communications systems, this appears to be the optimal approach. Russia, which lags in UAV development, will seek to improve its electronic warfare systems which have traditionally been the Russian MIC’s strong suit. The US will do the same.

From the point of view of military planning, there will occur a reconceptualization and perfecting of existing approaches. Particular emphasis will be placed on reconnaissance and intelligence efforts to locate UAV command posts and strike them using all available weapons.

China thus managed to establish an industrial foundation over the last few decades to produce own UAVs. This is a manifestation of China’s political strategy and is driven by Beijing’s desire to consolidate its position as a superpower technologically on a par with the US. As already existing models enter service and future projects are developed (for example, improved air-to-air missiles and others), China will greatly improve its standing both on a regional and global scale.

China’s ability and readiness to perform a wide range of missions in regions with high conflict potential will also increase. At the same time, China’s main competitors and potential adversaries will also grow concerned with Beijing’s ascendancy, potentially leading to an escalation of global tensions.