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"And as nice as the F-18 is, or the F-15, F-16 or even the F-14 are, they are almost out-dated by the modern Russian airframes."

Why?

Airframes don't change the human body. Pilots can only take so many G's.

What do you think that the Russians did to their airframes to give them such an advantage?

Specifically?

Frankly, they have no advantage. They aren't more advanced, and they don't merit spending $26 Billion on 23 F-22's.

Also, you do realize that Rutan has *already* gone sub-orbital this year, yes?!

That's a civilian doing what the F-22 can't, by the way.

Tell me again, specifically, why we should pay to do less than what civilians can manage?

"Also, you do realize that Rutan has *already* gone sub-orbital this year, yes?!"

The V-2 went sub-orbital. But it is a long way from the Space Shuttle. The magic of the F-22 isn't the airframe. The magic is in its avionics. Orange County Choppers could probably build a 9g fighter. It takes the finest minds in American industry to incorporate an Air Force's worth of electronics into a single aircraft.

When the MiG-29 first came out, it could do almost anything the F-18 could do that was with hydrolic controls, no fly-by-wire. The Sukois look easy radar targets, but I imagine they can put their nose on almost anything in our inventory in almost any situation. Big assed bird with lots of motor and by the looks of things, lots of room for radar. Add the right missle and it's a decent match for what we're flying...even if it did take them a while to catch up. So there you are...now it's time for us to move the ball. And regardless of how many more g's the plane can take vs the pilot, UAVs aren't ready for prime time. That means giving the pilot stealth, supercruise, and payload along with agility and range. I like pilots. I want our country to pay them retirement benefits. Sounds like the F-22 to me.

And if you're thinking Rutan's little plane is the next generation...well, you're ahead of even Rutan himself. Yes, I know that they're ahead of schedule and will likely win the competition they're in. Don't think the Canadian rocket has much of a chance. But you've had a few too many if you think Rutan's little rocket is our next air superiority fighter. I really did like his close air support concept, though. And if I ever have enough money, I'd like to go for a ride. Probably would be even more fun than the GlassAir III acrobatic ride I took at Sun 'n' Fun a few years ago.