A mismatch made in defense stock heaven (F-16 versus SU-24)

CNBC ^ | November 24, 2015 | By Jake Novak

[Brad from Tennessee]

Sometimes it's just too easy and alluring to take advantage of an advantage.

That's what may have happened in the skies along the Turkish-Syrian border today as two Turkish F16s shot down a Russian SU-24 bomber. The Turks say the Russian jet was flying into Turkish airspace. The Russians deny that. The political squabbling will go on perhaps for years.

But from a military and industrial standpoint, there are things we know now that are crystal clear and they should have an impact on the bottom lines for defense contractors all over the globe.

First, I'd like to put this nicely but why mince words? A Russian SU-24 going up against an F16 is like a Pop Warner football team taking on the New England Patriots. No contest. The F16 is a far superior machine and Lockheed Martin also completed and delivered a $635 million upgrade to Turkey's F16 fleet just seven months ago. One SU-24 going up against even a non-upgraded F16 is still a mismatch. But an SU-24 going up against two upgraded F16's is a laugher. Is it possible this incident was the product of Turkish pilots who were just unable to resist their huge advantage in the skies? Someone will have to ask them. . .

[yarddog]

I think the SU-24 is an old design and was intended more as an attack fighter bomber than an air superiority fighter.

[Timber Rattler]

Jake here is pretty ignorant about his subject matter. The SU-24s are pure medium bombers like the F-111s, whereas the F-16s are air superiority fighters. Two entirely different roles, so there can be no match between them. However, wait until the SU-27s and SU-30s start escorting the bombers and the F-16s might have a real fight.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Strange spinning of the story.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Russia didn’t know it was at war with Turkey.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

It's capabilities are in line with the old F111 of Vietnam days. In fact it looks like a clone.

[Redbob]

Per Wiki, the SU-24 was first flown in 1966 and introduced into service in ‘74, and is primarily a bomber.

Not state-of-the-art by any means, and certainly not a fighter.
But when was the last time Russian pilots *had* to fight anyone?

Their favorite targets are guys riding mules carrying muzzle-loaders.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I am listening to some interesting CBS spinning of the situation. The Obama controlled media is working hard for him. I think they can’t save him from this mess. Hopefully he doesn’t take us all down with him.

[soycd]

Just like the USA lured Albert Einstein from Nazi Germany, The apparently new Russia could draw disgruntled minds from obama’s destruction of America.

Right now, I would vote for Putin over any democrat moron running for President.

Evil has many disguises. We’ll all meet on desolation row ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL1HUsJJCzU

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I think Russia will step up attacks on the anti-Assad rebels rather than bow to the Obama coalition demands.

[Little Ray]

An SU-24 is a bomber. It is a F-111ski.
I’d like to see the Turks try this against an SU-27 or its descendents.

[Thibodeaux]

the Russian escort fighters will be of no use when the bombers stay in Syria

The hubris of the Russian commanders got their plane shot down and a helicopter destroyed and several troops dead. They will be more circumspect in the future

The incident was embarrassing for the commanders

[PapaBear3625]

Jake here is pretty ignorant about his subject matter. The SU-24s are pure medium bombers like the F-111s, whereas the F-16s are air superiority fighters. Two entirely different roles, so there can be no match between them. However, wait until the SU-27s and SU-30s start escorting the bombers and the F-16s might have a real fight.

I would not be surprised if, after this point, the Russians started doing escorts, just waiting for an opportunity to pop any Turkish plane which strays even a millimeter into Syria.

[CodeToad]

“The hubris of the Russian commanders got their plane shot down and a helicopter destroyed and several troops dead. They will be more circumspect in the future”

A little melodramatic. We’ve had similar instances in US history.

[EagleUSA]

Interviews with military that were monitoring the encounter said that Turkey warned the Rusky TEN TIMES OVER 15 MINS that he was violating Turkish airspace. U.S. units monitored the hailing frequency as well and heard it all.

So where does it go from here?

[DaveA37]

“Hopefully he doesn’t take us all down with him.”.................

The bastard child is doing everything he can to get us into a war with Russia so he can claim the “throne” here in the U.S. and prevent an election altogether, thereby making him “King”..

I will volunteer for the resistance against him should he pull that rabbit out of his hat.

[ASA Vet]

I’d like to see the Turks try this against an SU-27 or its descendents.

My opinion is exactly the opposite of your's. I'd NOT like to see a further escalation.

[Thibodeaux]

I would ask, how is Obama involved in the specific flap between Russia and Turkey? Why does the media need to pull his chestnuts from the fire when there are none there?

[Little Ray]

Good point.
I’d like to see the matchup from a purely theoretical standpoint.
But I’d like avoid a major shooting war between Western (sort of) powers even more!
In fact, I’d like the US to pack up and LEAVE soonest! We don’t need to be risking American service members helping the scum of the earth like the FSA.

[Bogey78O]

Well Putin is an autocratic despot who criahes dissent and suppresses freedom. But so is Obama. But at least Putin isn’t racist.