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Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
(Post 1101585)
I still believe this program is on life-support, waiting for the plug to be pulled. Highly-touted as "the most expensive weapons program in history," and "The Last Manned Fighter," it has a huge policial lobby.
But for what purpose? With Congress hamstrung over how to reduce spending and the deficit (let alone debt), how would replacing F-18s, Harriers, F-16s, and A-10s with F-35s help over the next 20-30 years fighting Toyota Terrorists? (ie, insurgents in a 4WD). I honestly think it wouldn't. I think one of the services, probably the Marines, will pull out, and the whole house of cards will collapse. "Oh no, what to do?" For the wars we are likely to fight over the next three decades, A-10s, F-16s, F-18s, and both flavors of Eagle will work just fine. (New F-16s are one-third the cost of an F-35). We have to send a message to the mil-industrial machine...they need to plan realistic projects and the execute them in a disciplined manner. Actually the submarine navy has gotten pretty good at that...they went through a parallel process like the F-22/35. Built a super-sub (F-22) optimized for cold war sub-to-sub but terminated that program early and transitioned the technology to a smaller cheaper boat with a wider capability set (F-35). The SSN-74 class subs are coming in early and under buget. Granted it's not a joint project. CANX the F-35. Re-start the F-22 line (better hurry, it shuts down today). Buy more 15, 16, 18E/F as needed. Start a clean slate strike-fighter program with fiscal controls built in. I think we still have time to beat the PRC and the russians to the draw. The marines might lose out, not sure how long they can keep the AV8's going (although they did just buy ALL of the UK's fleet for spares). |
Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
(Post 1102019)
Well, from my experience (back in the day), the stick is more about the weapon than the platform.
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Originally Posted by XHooker
(Post 1102134)
Very true. While fighter pilots will probably always measure their prowess by post merge engagement (one vs. one being the ultimate), the reality is pre merge is the most important phase of the engagement. I agree with what everyone says here re the money/capability equation, but I'd like to see us continue to press the edge of the technological envelope within fiscal sanity, which is admittedly a tough balancing act. Maybe the best answer is to bypass more manned fighters all together and begin taking the weakest link (us) out of the equation now. And no, there's nothing wrong with the F-4, especially if you hang the latest and greatest weapon system on it (aside from the fact you'd see it's J-79s smoking from about 30 miles out:D).
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where did I see an article ? Air Forces Monthly ? about old geezers in F-4's up against young dudes in F-18's
the young dudes got their clocks cleaned |
Originally Posted by satpak77
(Post 1101885)
as an aside, with all the drone crashes, does this serve to argue to keep the manned aircraft versus reduce them ?
The leadership ignores some basic tenants of electronic warfare in favor of RPAs because the political environment is so averse to risking lives. Here is what I learned at EW school back in the day, and nothing I have seen can convince me it has changed. 1. Russian-Soviets had a saying that went something to the effect of those who control the electromagnetic spectrum will win the next war. 2. EW school had a saying that no one can guarantee control of the electromagnetic spectrum 3. The guy on the ground can always overpower whatever ECM/ECCM the guy in the air has because he is not limited by size of generator/transmitter and therefore can always throw more electrons to counter whatever it is you are trying to do or jam your signals thus adversely affecting or denying you the use of your communications and or data links for command and control and information sharing. RPAs are great for the current conflicts, but the future conflicts that we debate about here will require at least a moderate number of fifth generation and beyond aircraft will not be a permissive electronic environment and RPAs will be all but useless. Unless we want to take the human totally out of the loop and give them AI or some kind of autonomy to go out and kill things and come home at the end of the mission. |
Originally Posted by Tweetdrvr
(Post 1102261)
The leadership ignores some basic tenants of electronic warfare in favor of RPAs because the political environment is so averse to risking lives.
Here is what I learned at EW school back in the day, and nothing I have seen can convince me it has changed. 1. Russian-Soviets had a saying that went something to the effect of those who control the electromagnetic spectrum will win the next war. 2. EW school had a saying that no one can guarantee control of the electromagnetic spectrum 3. The guy on the ground can always overpower whatever ECM/ECCM the guy in the air has because he is not limited by size of generator/transmitter and therefore can always throw more electrons to counter whatever it is you are trying to do or jam your signals thus adversely affecting or denying you the use of your communications and or data links for command and control and information sharing. RPAs are great for the current conflicts, but the future conflicts that we debate about here will require at least a moderate number of fifth generation and beyond aircraft will not be a permissive electronic environment and RPAs will be all but useless. Unless we want to take the human totally out of the loop and give them AI or some kind of autonomy to go out and kill things and come home at the end of the mission. |
Originally Posted by satpak77
(Post 1102247)
where did I see an article ? Air Forces Monthly ? about old geezers in F-4's up against young dudes in F-18's
the young dudes got their clocks cleaned |
Originally Posted by Tweetdrvr
(Post 1102261)
RPAs are great for the current conflicts, but the future conflicts that we debate about here will require at least a moderate number of fifth generation and beyond aircraft will not be a permissive electronic environment and RPAs will be all but useless. Unless we want to take the human totally out of the loop and give them AI or some kind of autonomy to go out and kill things and come home at the end of the mission.
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While these new gen jets are a dream for the stick actuators, they can be a pain in the a$$ for the maintainers. Don't wanna pull the skin off of anything to change a part.
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where did I see an article ? Air Forces Monthly ? about old geezers in F-4's up against young dudes in F-18's the young dudes got their clocks cleaned |
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