Measuring the F-22 Advantage - (compared to European fighters; Rafael, Eurofighter, and Gripen?)

How far ahead of the pack is the F-22? Especially when compared to European fighters like the Rafael, Eurofighter, and Gripen? This is something that matters a lot to the Air Force, which thinks the F-22 is vital to maintaining air superiority – replacing the F-15C as soon as possible, even at the expense of reducing the buy of the F-35. How valid is the Air Force’s claim?

First, one needs to look at how visible the aircraft in question are on radar. The F-15C is probably the most visible, entering service just as Lockheed began work on the F-117 Nighthawk. The Rafael and Eurofighter have taken steps to reduce their radar-cross section from the front. The Gripen has not had as much work on this front. The F-22, however, has the lowest radar-cross section and has it on all aspects. It also has another major advantage in this regard when compared to these European fighters: the F-22 carries its weapons internally, while all three of the European fighters carry the weapons externally. While some missiles like the Storm Shadow and SCALP have reduced radar cross-sections, some weapons still reflect radar well. This means that the Rafael and Eurofighter will still be at a huge disadvantage.

The next question is how good the radars are. The F-15’s APG-70 has been upgraded over the years, to the point where it can distinguish an aircraft using Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR). The Air Force does not reveal much about the system, but NCTR is said to be capable of revealing the model and even variations on a given model of a target being tracked by radar. The Rafael’s RBE2 is capable of searching out and tracking targets in the air and on the ground or sea, as well as classifying those targets, and it also is a low-probability of intercept radar, which means that it can track targets with less chance of the target knowing it is a target. The Eurofighter’s CAPTOR (a variant of the Blue Vixen used on the retiring Sea Harrier F/A.2s) has a unique three-channel system that gives it additional ability in electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM) as well as air-search and surface-search capabilities. The F-22’s radar is designed to use spread spectrum transmission to locate and track targets before they even know the F-22 is there. The F-22 also has the most advanced NCTR system put into a fighter aircraft.

Finally, how good are the countermeasures? The Rafael, Gripen, and Eurofighter rely on active jamming systems. These put out energy to distract radar. However, these systems will still advertise the presence of the aircraft and provide ample warning. These days, missiles can be programmed to home in on jamming – and that means life could be exciting and short for pilots who use them. The F-22, on the other hand, does not rely on jammers as much as they rely on diverting and absorbing radar waves. Comparing these systems is difficult, since information about systems used in electronic warfare (including jamming and systems like NCTR) is usually classified.

Even though stealth is wrapped in cloaks of secrecy, two things are apparent: First, the United States has a significant head start on stealth technology – mostly because of the head start of ten to fifteen years that was gained by the successful protection of the F-117’s gestation. France is working on a stealthy UAV, which will supposedly have a lower RCS than the F-22 or F-35, but that is not yet proven. The United Kingdom is also rumored to be working on a stealth aircraft called HALO, with D-Notices allegedly being issued to press outlets to keep sightings from making news. Second, the stealth race is on, and efforts are being made to catch up with the United States.

The enemy will be going about their business in the air, or at some facility, and in the next instant, they will blow up and die. The F-22 will probably never engage in a close-in dogfight, unless the pilot was having a really bad day.

Yes, and imagine the psychological impact that an F22 Fighter Sweep will have on an enemy airforce. Planes exploding with no threat warning whatsoever? Just after 'wheels up'? What do you do? If you stay down, the USAF comes in and craters your runways -- destroying your airforce wholesale (preferred method). If you go up, you are only prolonging the agony by being taken out 'retail' (just takes a bit longer until we get bankruptcy).

"an f-15 in afterburner can barely keep up with an f-22 in SuperCruise(non-afterburner)That's good news.I had read that the f22's top speed was just barely mach2(?)which i infered was with afterburners.I felt that was a disadvantage.The supercruise is amazing technology,but i assumed that a top speed of mach2(or less)was a limitation of the supercruise technology.(i'm not an engineer:)Anyways,the f15 has a top speed of mach2.5,that means the f22 was was moving at least faster than mach 2.5.In other words,speed wise,the f22 is on a par with the euro's.Add in stealth,supercruise,superior avionics....

(opinion)

"Why is the US so keen to build a fighter that can beat theirs?" You said

Because Iraq flew Mirage. Because Schroeder and Chirac want arms sales restrictions between China and the EU dropped. Because French ROLAND Missiles were found in Iraq with a date of 2003 stamped on them (meaning they were sold just months before our attack).

But there is more.

The F15 is a monster, even today. Despite all the BS you read on Vladimirs magic MIG site, a F15C with AESA, AIM120C5, AIM9X is king of the hill-hands down. He is the big bad boy out there, even today and is ONLY surpassed by the F22. The F15 came on line in 1975! Back then many said "It's too expensive"; "It's a waste". Yet because of its leap technology and massive performance the F15 was able to hold on for 30 years as the world’s premier air superiority fighter for such a long time. The F22 will be around a long time as well.

Planes like the EF will age quickly as the Tornado did. By building generation 4 fighters in 2004, the French, Germans and Swedes insured they have an obsolete airframe within 10-15 years, despite all the cheerleaders out there hailing these air frames. A lot of the F22 is not the US competing with the Europeans, but rather with oneself! If you want something that’s viable in a world where SA12’s, SA10’s AND BETTER are proliferating, where many of the threat radars, AAMs are getting longer ranges and smarter, you might run into issues with a huge RCS.

The US is building an airframe designed to meet specific design parameters (Some established standards) which we foresee as being necessary in the future (The airframes expected life time). The reality is that the F22 is out of the budget range of most our allies. If ANY F22’s get sold at all outside the US, it will be few. The F22’s are not in the same market as a EF, Rafale or Gripen. The European fighters built are comparable to newer and better 4 GEN plane such as the F18, no more. The F22 and even F35 are true GEN 5 planes and are completely out of the league of a EF, Rafale or Gripen. The sizing up of the F22 vs. EF is done in chat rooms and in the media. In reality the F22 is competing against some set RCS standard which we know this plane has to meet if it’s to be viable in 20 years. See a difference?

Red6

They are throwing out wishful ideas. They are trying to counter the obvious weaknesses of the competing designs which they like or feel some loyalty to because they might be French, German, Austrian, Italian or even British. Reality is, the F22 is without competition. To stupid to understand, they dismiss the advantage of stealth, super cruise, thrust vectoring, AESA, integrated electronics, 70,000 pounds of thrust, data links, HMCS and and and. The only real competitors to the F22 out there are theoretical planes that don't even fly yet.

Red6

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