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To: Rokke
Again, it isn't the F-22 that will guarantee our air superiority. It is our capability to identify the enemy and destroy him before he can shoot at us that guarantees our air superiority. We're talking satillites, AWACS etc.
You presume that our enemies do not have planes with similar capabilities to the E-3C. However, Israel and the EU have developed some very nice Synthetic Aperture Radar systems. The Israeli Phalcon uses an Active Phased Array Electronic Scanning Technology rather than a mechanically rotating antenna (rotodome) of the E-3. Israel uses this and has sold it (with US permission) to India.
Ericsson developed their own phased array system.
The Russians have their own system. It is not the equal of the E-3, but the newer modeels are probably significantly upgraded. China is trying to get its own program using Russian or Western technology.

Our current fighters can all see the enemy long before they can shoot it. The F-22 will be armed with the very same missile that is carried by the F-14/15/16/18
The AIM-120C AMRAAM is a wonderful system, but don't think that newer ones won't come on line. The BAE/Matra Meteor is marketed as the equal of the Amraam.
The Russians have developed their answer to the AMRAAM, the R-77 Adder.

The capabilities the F-22 brings to the table are way beyond its ability to maneuver. But those same capabilities are transferable to the F-35.
You forgot range and supercruise.

103 posted on 02/23/2004 12:20:30 PM PST by rmlew (Peaceniks and isolationists are objectively pro-Terrorist)
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To: rmlew
No argument that there are other AWACS systems and newer missiles (although any new missile that can fit in the F-22 will also fit on any of our current fighters). But our integration of the systems and the depth of our collection capability is beyond comparison.
The F-22 does have good range, but I can supercruise in a 1985 vintage F-16. No kidding.
106 posted on 02/23/2004 12:28:50 PM PST by Rokke
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