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To: Jeff Head
Actually, they are already talking about different roles for the F-22...even an enlarged bomber version

That's like saying that the F-15C is good for ground attack, which it truly is. But look at its airframe and other characteristics: it's obvious from the design that it's first and foremost mission is to find hostile aircraft and blow them out of the sky. The Raptor is in much the same mold as the F-15 and the F-14. Find enemy planes, and shoot them down. The Raptor has the improvements of extreme speed and stealth as compared to our current aircraft.

The JSF is a true multi-role, multi-force fighter. Lots of money and expertise invested in it. Some believe it is ill spent because attempts at the same in the past have been such failures. We shall see.

I have always been highly suspicious of these kinds of aircraft. The F-18 attempted to do the same thing. And while the Hornet turned out alright, it didn't turn out to be the stellar fighter/bomber everyone had hoped it would be. Specifically, the C model suffered by not having quite the speed many other fighters had (although the E and F models do much to redress this). I think we would be better off with a little bit more specialization. I think a ground attack plane should be just that: a ground attack plane and a fighter should be solely for shooting down hostile planes. It's good for attack aircraft to have some air-to-air capability for self-defense, but trying to make a fighter and an attack plane in one package is problematic at best.
130 posted on 10/10/2005 1:29:58 PM PDT by JamesP81
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To: JamesP81

Excellent observation. Tactically, it would be great to have a single airframe that could accomplish the interceptor and strike roles as well as a role specific aircraft can, like the F-14 in the interceptor role or the A-6 in the strike role. If that was possible, it would allow one carrier to have three full squadrons of 15 each, of the same class aircraft, that could all be used for air to air, or in a strike role. But it seems that to do that, both roles trying to be met have to take hits in one area or another making it less than excellent in both roles. It would be nice thoughm but doesn't seem practical.


138 posted on 10/10/2005 1:56:09 PM PDT by Allen H (An informed person, is a conservative person. Remember 9-11,God bless our military,Bush,& the USA!)
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