What should the USAF buy?

What should replace the F-15s, more F-22s or the F-35s?


  • Total voters
    39

Sea Toby

New Member
As I read the old documents going back a few years, Congress and the Pentagon agreed to stop buyng F-22s when we were ready to start buying F-35s. All through this process the Air Force has wanted to buy more F-22s, despite the agreement. Well, the first program F-35s will be bought this year, its time for the Air Force to submit. Just like a few years ago, the same situation exists, there is only so much funding to fund one aircraft's program. Its not the Congress' problem the Air Force couldn't afford enough of the high priced F-22s the Air Force wants.

The administration, the Pentagon, and the DoD are ready to move on with its long held plans. Other nations are waiting and watching. The US wants the other nations to live up to their plans with numbers, the other nations are watching the US live up to its plans too.

Its time to move on.....
 

irtusk

New Member
Low signature is not the holy grail in ATA, speed is more important.
so you think the MiG-21 is better than the F-35?

how did a Mach 1.8 F-18 shoot down a Mach 2.8 MiG-25?

speed isn't the end all / be all of combat effectiveness

Do you honestly believe USA would export F-35 to half the world if they thought it would be any problem to shoot them off the sky if need be ?
1. yes

they've done it in the past, exporting top-of-the-line aircraft (F-14)

2. the F-22 is still better

3. as i mentioned before, it is more than just the aircraft itself that determines the outcome of a battle

even if an opponent was equipped with say 20 raptors, the US would still win because of all their support capabilities (awacs, satellite, intelligence, hammering airfield with tomahawks, etc, etc)
 

irtusk

New Member
If a plane has 100+ aerial victories vs 0 losses it's demonstrated that it's maneuverability, however good, is not an issue.
1. i never said it's manoueverability was bad, just nothing special
2. most of those victories came against older model planes. against current generation planes, i doubt it would fare as well


Here is a hint, you didn't watch it LONG ENOUGH. Think about what I'm trying to tell you.
here's a hint:
i'm not going to sit here for 10 minutes to try to figure out what you want me to see

if there's something specific, give a time marker

The propulsion scheme of the METEOR is completely different from contemporary missile design. Think ballistic missile vs cruise missile and end game.
and?

your point is?

i said "the engagement envelope is more dependent on the missile than the plane (although speed and altitude can have an effect)"

which is exactly correct

some missiles (like the Meteor) have a far superior engagement envelope to other missiles (like the AMRAAM) even if the other missile has a kinematic launch advantage

Absolutely incorrect. Missile launch parameters are always critical to a successful engagement. Especially in the first few critical seconds where the missile's processor has to make choices about the optimum flight profile to merge with a target.
ROE means most launches will be WVR which means well within the missile's engagement zone regardless of its launch parameters

No one ever said it was. But it is the only fighter that can fight the way it does at those altitudes. Oh, except for the YF-23.
what do you mean 'fight the way it does at those altitudes'?

you mean manoueverability?

we were just talking about kinetic advantages (speed and altitude) and there are several planes that can approach the raptor's capabilities in this regard (MiG-25, MiG-31, EF, Su-30)


OK but why not take advantage of it's signature management and keep the energy advantage as well? I'm just sayin'...
because stealth doesn't mean invisible to radar, just reduced detection range

and at 60000' it might be imminently detectable to the air defense system around the designated target so the mission calls for it to go in on the deck
 

DarthAmerica

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
so you think the MiG-21 is better than the F-35?

how did a Mach 1.8 F-18 shoot down a Mach 2.8 MiG-25?

speed isn't the end all / be all of combat effectiveness
ITARS limits what can be exported. The F-22 contains technology restrictions. Also, what Mig-25 was shot down by an F/A-18C? Are you sure you don't have that backwards? Also, what Mig-25 going M2.8 has been shot down by another fighter?

-DA
 

stigmata

New Member
Israeli F-15 has been able to shoot down MiG 25, but only after careful planning, to get it into a trap.
Also, israeli pilots claim, that had they had the syrians aircraft, and the syrians had israels, israeli pilots score would still be the same.
 
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irtusk

New Member
Also, what Mig-25 was shot down by an F/A-18C? Are you sure you don't have that backwards?
oops, i knew of the F-18 shot down by the MiG-25, but i thought there was also the converse

guess not

but the F-18 did shoot down MiG-21s which can go faster

Also, what Mig-25 going M2.8 has been shot down by another fighter?
well see that's the point

fighters don't travel at max speed all the time

most shootdowns in vietnam occurred when one plane didn't even realize the other was there

speed is only useful if you know to use it

stealth is always useful

stealth+speed is even better of course
 

stigmata

New Member
irtusk said:
speed is only useful if you know to use it
I suggest you are not a fighter pilot, or even a combat pilot, if you dont know to use speed ;)so it is always useful.
Stealth is of no use if you cant get there fast enough.
 

DarthAmerica

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
1. i never said it's manoueverability was bad, just nothing special
2. most of those victories came against older model planes. against current generation planes, i doubt it would fare as well
Then you would again be wrong. The F-15 still continues to enjoy avionics and performance advantages over todays jets and overall is still the most dominant fighter. It's nearest competitor is the Flanker but that platform lacks in the avionics department.


here's a hint:
i'm not going to sit here for 10 minutes to try to figure out what you want me to see

if there's something specific, give a time marker
It's not what, it's how long.


and?

your point is?

i said "the engagement envelope is more dependent on the missile than the plane (although speed and altitude can have an effect)"

which is exactly correct
No it's very incorrect. The launching platform can considerably influence the outcome of an engagement. You need to consider what is going on in the first few seconds of the engagement. If you are unsure, ask and I'll explain it in detail for you. Don't continue to assert things you don't know. Otherwise, prove it doesn't matter. I guarantee you can't.


some missiles (like the Meteor) have a far superior engagement envelope to other missiles (like the AMRAAM) even if the other missile has a kinematic launch advantage
Strawman and I suspect you don't understand what I'm talking about.


ROE means most launches will be WVR which means well within the missile's engagement zone regardless of its launch parameters
Nope, not hardy on either point. WVR is actually less common than BVR even with ROE and the last part of your sentence is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.



what do you mean 'fight the way it does at those altitudes'?

you mean manoueverability?

we were just talking about kinetic advantages (speed and altitude) and there are several planes that can approach the raptor's capabilities in this regard (MiG-25, MiG-31, EF, Su-30)
I'm talking energy! None of those planes even nearly approach what an F-22 does although Mig-25/31 have some limited potential. If the Mig-25 only had the flexibility of the F-15...SCARY. Please I'm begging you not to even respond to this unless you can cite some sort of professional analysis or explain it using physics. Otherwise NFC on this.

Example of what speed and stealth does:

Atkinson, Rick. Crusade: The Untold History of the Persian Gulf War. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993, pp 125-126. Quote: But as the Ravens began their second orbit in a counterclockwise turn toward the Syrian border (over Al-Qaim), a MiG-25 suddenly darted toward them at high speed. The Iraqi fired one air-to-air missile at the lead Raven and two at his wingman. The missiles flew wide, but the Ravens dived to escape and then, uncertain where the MiG was lurking, turned back to Saudi Arabia.


because stealth doesn't mean invisible to radar, just reduced detection range

and at 60000' it might be imminently detectable to the air defense system around the designated target so the mission calls for it to go in on the deck

OK so an F-22 up at 60000 ft, pretty much out of range of all but the largest SAMs which by doctrine are protected by SHORAD or point defenses that use IR/RF/Optical guidance, is going to fly itself into those defenses instead of using it's speed and signature to avoid the threat? Does that even make sense to you? Again, if you respond to this, please no one liners or assertions. Describe the flight profile for this and the nature of the threat.

-DA
 

F-15 Eagle

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #69
As I read the old documents going back a few years, Congress and the Pentagon agreed to stop buyng F-22s when we were ready to start buying F-35s. All through this process the Air Force has wanted to buy more F-22s, despite the agreement. Well, the first program F-35s will be bought this year, its time for the Air Force to submit. Just like a few years ago, the same situation exists, there is only so much funding to fund one aircraft's program. Its not the Congress' problem the Air Force couldn't afford enough of the high priced F-22s the Air Force wants.

The administration, the Pentagon, and the DoD are ready to move on with its long held plans. Other nations are waiting and watching. The US wants the other nations to live up to their plans with numbers, the other nations are watching the US live up to its plans too.

Its time to move on.....
Yes you are 100% correct. Politically the F-35 is in very good shape with the recent flight of the F-35B STOVL, but the F-22 on the other hand is not so great. Funds have been appointed to keep the F-22 line until the next president but nether McCain or Obama seam to support the F-22, plus with the leadership change in the USAF and the last two supporters were fired. But the F-35 will survive.

Here is a link: http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/704902.html
 

irtusk

New Member
I suggest you are not a fighter pilot, or even a combat pilot, if you dont know to use speed ;)so it is always useful.
planes have cruising speeds and max speeds

they can't go max speed all the time or else they would run out of fuel

so they go 'cruising' until the situation calls for a burst

the problem of course arises when you are caught unaware and don't realize the situation (such as when the enemy sneaks up behind you and sends a missile up your tailpipe)

for the current generation of fighters, max speed(fighter x) > cruising speed(fighter y)

so until you can cruise faster than the max speed of other fighters, speed is only useful if you know when to use it

Stealth is of no use if you cant get there fast enough.
fast enough for what?

if the enemy doesn't know you're there, you have all the time in the world
 

DarthAmerica

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
oops, i knew of the F-18 shot down by the MiG-25, but i thought there was also the converse

guess not

but the F-18 did shoot down MiG-21s which can go faster
neither! The F-18 and Mig-21 are both subsonic fighters with brief supersonic dash capability. The small difference in absolute speed between the two is irrelevant. The F-18 does however have considerable BVR weapon and avionics advantages though over the Mig-21. Just like the F-22 has over all other fighters including the F-35.


well see that's the point

fighters don't travel at max speed all the time
Who said they do? The F-22 does cruise at or near the maximum speed of other fighters though. Huge advantage.

most shootdowns in vietnam occurred when one plane didn't even realize the other was there

speed is only useful if you know to use it

stealth is always useful

stealth+speed is even better of course
All that is obvious and I'm not sure why you posted it. What is not obvious is this. The F-22 has the ability to manipulate time when it fights other fighters and IADS. To use an analogy the F-22 is like Neo or an Agent fighting regular people in the movie The Matrix except most of the time the F-22 will not even be visible which only enhances the F-22's power over time. No other fighter does that except perhaps the SR-71 and Mig-25 to a lesser extent although they perform different less flexible missions.

-DA
 

irtusk

New Member
Then you would again be wrong. The F-15 still continues to enjoy avionics and performance advantages over todays jets and overall is still the most dominant fighter. It's nearest competitor is the Flanker but that platform lacks in the avionics department.
please try to stay on topic

namely the F-15 proves rjmaz1 wrong because it doesn't compromise between speed and agility

and the fact you have produced zero evidence to backup such a claim


It's not what, it's how long.
you posted that video to show agile the F-15 is (unless we've had a massive breakdown in communications here)

i'm not seeing it


No it's very incorrect. The launching platform can considerably influence the outcome of an engagement.
and so can the type of missile

yes or no?

You need to consider what is going on in the first few seconds of the engagement.
in the old world, they would manouevre for a better a shot
in the new world, they may just shoot as is

If you are unsure, ask and I'll explain it in detail for you. Don't continue to assert things you don't know. Otherwise, prove it doesn't matter. I guarantee you can't.
enough with the high and mighty stuff already

irtusk said:
some missiles (like the Meteor) have a far superior engagement envelope to other missiles (like the AMRAAM) even if the other missile has a kinematic launch advantage
Strawman
my contention is that the type of missile can make more of a difference than the launch platform

showing a missile that can do just what i said is not a strawman

and I suspect you don't understand what I'm talking about.
and i suspect that even you don't understand what you're talking about sometimes ;)


Nope, not hardy on either point. WVR is actually less common than BVR
really? that's an incredible claim

WVR kills have been far, far more common, even recently

even with ROE
if the ROE is you have to get a visual ID, how are you supposed to do that BVR?

and the last part of your sentence is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
if you can see the opposing aircraft, how can it possibly be outside the engagement envelope of the Meteor?

no matter what your kinetic situation, if you can see the opponent, you're close enough for the Meteor to get a kill


I'm talking energy! None of those planes even nearly approach what an F-22
really? list the speed/altitudes of each of these planes: F-22, EF, Su-30, MiG-25, MiG-31 and show how they don't even approach the F-22

Please I'm begging you not to even respond to this unless you can cite some sort of professional analysis or explain it using physics. Otherwise NFC on this.
lol, that's rich

trying to avoid substance with the 'i'm so superior to you, i don't even have to deign to explain myself' approach

Example of what speed and stealth does:
the MiG-25 is stealthy?

i'm missing what you're trying to show here


OK so an F-22 up at 60000 ft, pretty much out of range of all but the largest SAMs which by doctrine are protected by SHORAD or point defenses that use IR/RF/Optical guidance, is going to fly itself into those defenses instead of using it's speed and signature to avoid the threat? Does that even make sense to you?
it all depends on the situation

on the deck it may be able to penetrate BETWEEN two sites so it can carry on to its target

if you look at the history of AA vs planes, it's been a constant swing between the best way to avoid them

sometimes its been to go high, then it will switch and it will be to go low, then it will come back and they decide its best to stay high

i wouldn't count on staying high being the only answer for the next 30 years


Again, if you respond to this, please no one liners or assertions. Describe the flight profile for this and the nature of the threat.
again can you have a discussion without resorting to such petty comments?
 

DarthAmerica

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
please try to stay on topic

namely the F-15 proves rjmaz1 wrong because it doesn't compromise between speed and agility

and the fact you have produced zero evidence to backup such a claim

you posted that video to show agile the F-15 is (unless we've had a massive breakdown in communications here)

i'm not seeing it
It was backed up. You just didn't notice. The F-15 flying around in and out of burner making high G turns for 10 minutes tells you a lot about it's ability to maintain kinetic energy which is the key to air to air combat. I wasn't referring to air show tricks at all.


and so can the type of missile

yes or no?
No if it isn't launched under the right conditions. The missile has ~2-4seconds give or take of thrust where it is gaining kinetic energy. If launched from a less than ideal conditions it will have to use valuable and limited KE to reposition itself against a target with far more energy. Moreover, high rates of closure can exceed the capabilities of the guidance system to adjust the flight profile of the missile.


in the old world, they would manouevre for a better a shot
in the new world, they may just shoot as is
No, they will still try to get the highest percentage shot where possible otherwise they are wasting a missile.



enough with the high and mighty stuff already
No one is being high and mighty. I'm trying to explain to you how these things work in the real world. Don't get offended please. most books and most websites do not go into the how these things really work. They simply reprint or list spec sheets in a vacuum. Things like high off boresight missiles negate the need for pointing the nose at the target. Well yes but there are still limitations which I have explained to you.



my contention is that the type of missile can make more of a difference than the launch platform
showing a missile that can do just what i said is not a strawman
The missile is part of the kill chain and not the kill chain. The weakest link breaks the chain. When missiles are designed, engineers optimize the design to be used under the kinds of conditions they expect to encounter most often in order to achieve the most efficient design, save cost and weight. Missiles have launch envelopes for certain types of targets. Faster targets will get out of the envelop much more quickly and thus the missiles performance is reduced. Think about it like this. A Mig-29 pilot looks up and sees two aircraft. One is an F-22 moving at M1.5 and the other is an F-15 doing M1.0. They are both at 50,000ft and the Mig is at 30,000 ft directly below. He fires an AAM at both. The AAM has to climb to that altitude using a few seconds of thrust while turning and constantly trading velocity to gravity, drag and maneuver. Then it has to catch the targets. Both would be very difficult to hit. Most short range HOBS missiles have speeds of about M2.5. But even so, that is only briefly as the motor shuts off soon after launch within seconds. So the missile is slowing down while the fighters maintain speed. Even if they don't take evasive action a hit would be difficult. If they did, the missile has to maneuver more and lose velocity even faster. After a while it isn't able to make the intercept. If the rate of closure is too great, depending on what missile, the guidance algorithms may not be able to handle the amount of data. Do you understand that?


and i suspect that even you don't understand what you're talking about sometimes ;)
Thats your opinion.


really? that's an incredible claim

WVR kills have been far, far more common, even recently
Not for the USAF. Look it up.


if the ROE is you have to get a visual ID, how are you supposed to do that BVR?
How do you take a picture of a persons face from 50 meters? Also, some aircraft have NCTR which is a classified technique much in demand. It's a reason why F-15s have been preferred in some cases for air to air missions.



if you can see the opposing aircraft, how can it possibly be outside the engagement envelope of the Meteor?

no matter what your kinetic situation, if you can see the opponent, you're close enough for the Meteor to get a kill
How by magic? Where will it get the telemetry data?


really? list the speed/altitudes of each of these planes: F-22, EF, Su-30, MiG-25, MiG-31 and show how they don't even approach the F-22
No, you can do that yourself. If you look into it enough, you will learn that the those aircraft are essentially non maneuvering targets at F-22 altitudes. Also, if they tried to keep up with an F-22 at altitude, they would run out of fuel very quickly because they have to use afterburner to maintain speed and altitude.



lol, that's rich

trying to avoid substance with the 'i'm so superior to you, i don't even have to deign to explain myself' approach
I never said I was superior. I do understand this subject matter better though.



the MiG-25 is stealthy?

i'm missing what you're trying to show here
Any aircraft can be stealthy. Google the definition.




it all depends on the situation

on the deck it may be able to penetrate BETWEEN two sites so it can carry on to its target

if you look at the history of AA vs planes, it's been a constant swing between the best way to avoid them
No the trend has been to fly even higher. Learned that lesson in the Gulf War. Also, with the F-22 signature management it isn't practical to place EW sites close enough to close all the gaps. Why give up the fuel efficiency and speed when you don't have to?


sometimes its been to go high, then it will switch and it will be to go low, then it will come back and they decide its best to stay high

i wouldn't count on staying high being the only answer for the next 30 years
Not the only answer no. I didn't say that. But definitely to fly faster.


again can you have a discussion without resorting to such petty comments?

The comments aren't petty. If you are offended I apologize but this is how the real world works. I talk about things as they are in real life. Thats often going to be in stark contrast to what you read on the internet.

-DA
 

irtusk

New Member
It was backed up. You just didn't notice. The F-15 flying around in and out of burner making high G turns for 10 minutes tells you a lot about it's ability to maintain kinetic energy which is the key to air to air combat. I wasn't referring to air show tricks at all.
do you even know what kinetic energy is? serious question

if you don't, you can look it up

Admin: Text deleted. Read the forum rules about engagement behaviour.

there was 0 display of maintaining kinetic energy there. In fact, it was pretty much the exact opposite. It was low and slow (certainly under sound barrier) because it was an air show.

No if it isn't launched under the right conditions. The missile has ~2-4seconds give or take of thrust where it is gaining kinetic energy
do you understand how Meteor works? serious question

if you don't, you can look it up

Admin: Text deleted. Read the forum rules about engagement behaviour.


"The air breathing motor proposed for Meteor provides sustained power, following the initial boost, to chase and destroy the target."

No, they will still try to get the highest percentage shot where possible otherwise they are wasting a missile.
and if you already have 99% kill probability as is, why expose yourself to more danger? just shoot and scoot

Things like high off boresight missiles negate the need for pointing the nose at the target. Well yes but there are still limitations which I have explained to you.
yes there are limitations, but on the other hand the Raptor doesn't render them useless either which is what you were implying

Most short range HOBS missiles have speeds of about M2.5. But even so, that is only briefly as the motor shuts off soon after launch within seconds.
but i was talking about the Meteor where this clearly isn't the case

Do you understand that?
i understand missile design has progressed. do you?

irtusk said:
WVR kills have been far, far more common, even recently
Not for the USAF. Look it up.
you're flat out wrong on this

let us examine A2A since 1991
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_302.shtml
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_217.shtml

what do we see?
7 AMRAAMs and a ton of sidewinders

now let's look at some of those AMRAAM kills:
http://www.afa.org/magazine/Sept2004/0904aces.asp

who came to lower altitude to see the six Galebs
. . .
Wright got the first Galeb with an AIM-120 fired over a distance of 5,000 feet.
. . .
Tight rules of engagement demanded double validation of targets.

The same rules applied five years later during Operation Allied Force, NATO’s 78-day air campaign over Serbia and Kosovo
. . .
Rodriguez launched his AMRAAM. The MiG-29 “exploded over the western mountains of Kosovo,” said Rodriguez. Snow on the mountains reflected the tremendous flash. “It was like 10 or 15 football fields right next to each other. It just lit up the night sky like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
. . .
Two minutes later, Shower spotted an unidentified aircraft launching out of Batajnica
. . .
Now the MiG-29 was closing in on him and nearby F-117s.
. . .
Shower took one more shot and this time, the AIM-120 found its mark
. . .
Two days later, ANG Capt. Jeffrey C. Hwang chalked up two victories. He engaged a MiG-29 leader and wingman, both at close range, with AIM-120s
in fact the most recent kill was within extremely close range when the spy plane played bumper cars with the chinese fighter

I never said I was superior. I do understand this subject matter better though.
Admin: Text deleted. Read the forum rules about excessive icon usage - in this case it also ties in with expected engagement behaviour.


How do you take a picture of a persons face from 50 meters?
if you can get an optical zoom good enough for a positive ID, you're WVR

Also, some aircraft have NCTR which is a classified technique much in demand. It's a reason why F-15s have been preferred in some cases for air to air missions.
which also isn't fully trusted which is why the RoE still usually specify a visual ID regardless of what the NCTR thinks it is

How by magic? Where will it get the telemetry data?
well if you read the sales brochure for the Meteor you would realize that it is fed targetting data for the expected interception point before launch and it can receive live targetting updates via datalink from either the launching aircraft or an AWACS

never mind that you are once again trying to change the subject which was:
if you are WVR of a plane, you are almost certainly within the no-escape zone of a Meteor no matter the kinetic situation (within reason)

No, you can do that yourself.
afraid of what you'll find?

basically they're all mach 2.5+ class aircraft with a 60,000+ service ceiling

the F-22 may be slightly better, but not dramatically so

If you look into it enough, you will learn that the those aircraft are essentially non maneuvering targets at F-22 altitudes.
1. and if you looked at modern mach 5+ missiles you would realize that manoueverability means squat

2. what's with the subject change yet again? the claim was that the F-22 could launch missiles so much higher and faster than any competitor, that it could stay outside the engagement zone of any other fighter

this clearly isn't the case

thus the discussion was about the energy advantage associated with a fast and high launch not the manoueverability of a plane in such a position

Any aircraft can be stealthy. Google the definition.
yet another deflection

getting back to the point, what was your point about the MiG-25 and the Raven?

No the trend has been to fly even higher.
:eek:nfloorl:

then explain the evolution of the B-1

original B-1 was Mach2+ and flew at altitude
B-1B was subsonic and had terrain following radar

i hate to quote from wikipedia, but it's convenient in this case
"In response to the missile threat, military planners switched to low-altitude penetration."

"this exact problem had actually occurred with the B-58, another high-speed aircraft that was forced into the low-level role to avoid missile defenses"

the U2 incident taught us you can't outfly a SAM

the Valkyrie was cancelled because they realized high-speed high-altitude penetration got you killed (and this was a plane that would have flown higher and faster than the F-22)

Also, with the F-22 signature management it isn't practical to place EW sites close enough to close all the gaps.
good thing our enemies are always practical

Why give up the fuel efficiency and speed when you don't have to?
you wouldn't

but you seem to completely ignore even the possibility that there might be situations where you do have to


The comments aren't petty. If you are offended I apologize but this is how the real world works. I talk about things as they are in real life. Thats often going to be in stark contrast to what you read on the internet.
:eek:nfloorl:

thank you for continuing to demonstrate your pettiness

but fret not about my feelings, i find your antics amusing

Admin: Read the forum rules about engagement behaviour. Warning issued.
 
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guppy

New Member
How can you say you don't recall the F-35 having 14 AAMs when the link that you gave which is this one: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-8351.html already proves the F-35 will carry 14 AAMs. The F-35 will be an outstanding air to air fighter which is why the Pentagon and the GOA support the F-35 over more F-22s.

Both American and international F-35s will having this capability if they really need to load up the F-35 though 4, 6, or 8 AAMs will be the most common air to air load out in combat but they will still have the option to carry 14 AAMs if it is needed.
F-15,

Firstly, I did not say that the F-35 will not be an outstanding air to air fighter. In fact, I said that it would need to be able to hold its own as the USN will be depending on it. Secondly, the link does not prove anything especially in aircraft development. There was an initial requirement to qualify the air to ground ejectors with ASRAAMs, but that has been temporarily shelved. The question is why? My answer would be certification priority, schedule risk, and technical risk. The technical risk is quite apparent because LM will rather spend money to develop a LO missile launcher.

Then the next point would be that having a "dirty" air to air configuration will be counter productive especially againt Flanker type threats. You need to delay threat acquisition for as long as you can. 10 missiles hanging on the wings will not achieve that. Plus the dual missile launchers, have they been developed yet?

Thus, logically, I don't see why a 14 missile configuration would have any sort of priority. If there is really a need to improve its air to air capability, they would focus on putting more missiles internally.

cheers

guppy
 

F-15 Eagle

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #77
F-15,

Firstly, I did not say that the F-35 will not be an outstanding air to air fighter. In fact, I said that it would need to be able to hold its own as the USN will be depending on it. Secondly, the link does not prove anything especially in aircraft development. There was an initial requirement to qualify the air to ground ejectors with ASRAAMs, but that has been temporarily shelved. The question is why? My answer would be certification priority, schedule risk, and technical risk. The technical risk is quite apparent because LM will rather spend money to develop a LO missile launcher.

Then the next point would be that having a "dirty" air to air configuration will be counter productive especially againt Flanker type threats. You need to delay threat acquisition for as long as you can. 10 missiles hanging on the wings will not achieve that. Plus the dual missile launchers, have they been developed yet?

Thus, logically, I don't see why a 14 missile configuration would have any sort of priority. If there is really a need to improve its air to air capability, they would focus on putting more missiles internally.

cheers

guppy
1. Not only the USN but also the USAF will rely on the F-35A for air to air conmbat to serve with the F-22 and Super Hornet in air combat.
2. The U.S. F-35s don't even use the ASRAAMs anyway, only AMRAAMs and AIM-9s.
3. The F-35 already has the ability to carry 14 AAMs, the link already proved that and it doeas not matter what you may think of it because the F-35 can still cary 14 AAMs whether or not it will ever need to.
4. Only the British F-35s have not been certified to carry 4 internal ASRAAMs on the ground lauchers but the American F-35s can still carry 4 internal AMRAAMs and AIM-9Xs. So in the American F-35s the air to ground ejectors will carry AMRAAMs or AIM-9s just not the British F-35s, manly because America will rely on the F-35 for air to air combat like the F-22 but the British will not.
 

DarthAmerica

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
there was 0 display of maintaining kinetic energy there. In fact, it was pretty much the exact opposite. It was low and slow (certainly under sound barrier) because it was an air show.
What it shows is that large fighter carrying lots of fuel have more options especially in an energy fight.


do you understand how Meteor works? serious question

if you don't, you can look it up
I've discussed that missile 100 times. I'm quite familiar. Unfortunately that missile is neither in service or equipping threat airforces so in the context of the F-22/35 it's not relevant unless we are talking about future F-35 weapons. We weren't so I ignored it.

and if you already have 99% kill probability as is, why expose yourself to more danger? just shoot and scoot

yes there are limitations, but on the other hand the Raptor doesn't render them useless either which is what you were implying
99% is highly unlikely for any missile. A single failure to launch 1 in 100 times would invalidate that. Again I'm talking about the real world. I haven't seen any weapon yield 99% kill probability.

That's the thing, which is why I posted the RAAF pilots experience for you, a properly flown Raptor does make legacy aircraft and weapons useless. It was built for that purpose.


but i was talking about the Meteor where this clearly isn't the case

i understand missile design has progressed. do you?
I do, and no threat missiles have those characteristics and not even meteor before 2012 at the earliest.


you're flat out wrong on this

let us examine A2A since 1991
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_302.shtml
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_217.shtml

what do we see?
7 AMRAAMs and a ton of sidewinders

now let's look at some of those AMRAAM kills:
http://www.afa.org/magazine/Sept2004/0904aces.asp
Did you miss all the AIM-7 entries?
http://www.afa.org/magazine/Sept2004/0904aces.asp


in fact the most recent kill was within extremely close range when the spy plane played bumper cars with the chinese fighter
I'm not talking about peacetime ferret games. I'm talking about war.


if you can get an optical zoom good enough for a positive ID, you're WVR

which also isn't fully trusted which is why the RoE still usually specify a visual ID regardless of what the NCTR thinks it is
Not in wartime. NCTR and BVR rule the day now. Also, optical sensors have ID'd threats at tens of km. That isn't WVR. WVR=eyeball range.



well if you read the sales brochure for the Meteor you would realize that it is fed targetting data for the expected interception point before launch and it can receive live targetting updates via datalink from either the launching aircraft or an AWACS
Nothing new about that. All BVR AAMs have to do this in some form since they have much smaller seekers.


never mind that you are once again trying to change the subject which was:
if you are WVR of a plane, you are almost certainly within the no-escape zone of a Meteor no matter the kinetic situation (within reason)
And there you have it. Within reason. Those missiles were designed to go after legacy fighters that fly within certain parameters. The F-22's typical flight profile exceeds the extreme flight profiles of legacy fighters and their weapons.



afraid of what you'll find?
basically they're all mach 2.5+ class aircraft with a 60,000+ service ceiling
the F-22 may be slightly better, but not dramatically so
Not worth my time. I know those other aircraft are not M2.5+/60,000ft capable in operational configuration except for the Migs.

1. and if you looked at modern mach 5+ missiles you would realize that manoueverability means squat
How do they maintain M5+?

2. what's with the subject change yet again? the claim was that the F-22 could launch missiles so much higher and faster than any competitor, that it could stay outside the engagement zone of any other fighter

this clearly isn't the case
lol...you read an example:confused:

thus the discussion was about the energy advantage associated with a fast and high launch not the manoueverability of a plane in such a position

yet another deflection
No a misunderstanding is more likely.

getting back to the point, what was your point about the MiG-25 and the Raven?
Those Ravens were surprised by the Mig which used its speed to compress time. It mission killed all of them which caused casualties. Then it escaped the F-15 CAP/SWEEP via its speed.

Stealth is not technology, its tactics. Stealth has been around long before men knew how to fly.


then explain the evolution of the B-1

original B-1 was Mach2+ and flew at altitude
B-1B was subsonic and had terrain following radar
You are comparing penetrating unescorted strategic bombers to a stealth supersonic fighter? Apples and oranges.

i hate to quote from wikipedia, but it's convenient in this case
"In response to the missile threat, military planners switched to low-altitude penetration."

"this exact problem had actually occurred with the B-58, another high-speed aircraft that was forced into the low-level role to avoid missile defenses"

the U2 incident taught us you can't outfly a SAM

the Valkyrie was cancelled because they realized high-speed high-altitude penetration got you killed (and this was a plane that would have flown higher and faster than the F-22)
Again, different flight profiles, roles and neither is stealthy. They also fly unescorted with no weapons for self defense.



good thing our enemies are always practical
"You have to pay to play". IADS are expensive and there is a lot of airspace to cover.


-DA
 

stigmata

New Member
I'd just like to mention that AIM-7 sparrow had Pk ~80% stat, yet in real world it had ~10% Pk
AMRAAM has Pk ~90% stat, so perhaps real world is ~20%

I guess the reason is the testing is on subsonic drones
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I'd just like to mention that AIM-7 sparrow had Pk ~80% stat, yet in real world it had ~10% Pk
AMRAAM has Pk ~90% stat, so perhaps real world is ~20%

I guess the reason is the testing is on subsonic drones
supporting data for this claim is where? there are 7 variables for determining PK. target speed is only one of them.

I'd be interested to know where the claims on subsonic drones are considering that supersonic kills are also part of the eval in trials. ie a breakdown of the test data will show subsonic drones, supersonic drones/QF's, combat. release to kill ratios etc.....

You do realise that these PK kills in combat are gathered on missiles released and targets downed in combat? It's got nothing to do with trials. So the AICG figures represent real events, combat kills - not test events.
 
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