[stockpirate]

They are worth every penny we spent.

The F-15 has never been shot down by another aircraft in combat.

At recent tests in the mid-west, F15's were shot down many times by F22's and no F22's were shot down.

[rockthecasbah]

I can't wait to see the F-22s go against the Iranian air force

[Blueflag]

Yep -- over 240-0 during Red Flag exercises, and the Opfors were allowed to "re-spawn" or regenerate after being shot down, AND the Raptors functioned as AWACs for their team mates once they had fired all their weapons. OPFOR pilots reported that even when they COULD see the Raptors, they COULD NOT put a weapon system on them. Period.

No Raptor has yet to be a kill in ANY exercise against America's best - even with lopsided ROEs.

It's worth EVERY penny as an air superiority weapon system.

[MindBender26]

Talked to F-15 and F-16 drivers at air show. Both agreed that in 1-1 fight F-15 v. F-16 in VFR, it would depend on pilot skill.

When asked how long they would survive v F-22, both answered "20 seconds."

[af_vet_rr]

At recent tests in the mid-west, F15's were shot down many times by F22's and no F22's were shot down.

So all the F-15s would have to do is cross the line and the F-22s would get confused :-)

There is something very seriously wrong about this situation though. There should be some people and companies held accountable. The money to fix this and to pay for any and all military personnel involved needs to come from the manufacturers. They need to be punished for such lapses.

[flowerplough]

Worth every penny? Hardly. F-22 and -35 Joint Strike are dated today and obsolete the day after tomorrow. Any strike craft that carries a pilot is limited by its pilot. Maneuver, payload, range, and endurance are all compromised when the "platform" is occupied by a passenger/observer.

[quietolong]

With the tests properly rigged.

I’ll still bet a Top Gun instructor in an A-4 could still flame all the F-22s he wanted.

[RavenATB]

"They are worth every penny we spent. "

Hope so...the AF is mortgaging its future for that airplane. A great number of the AF's most highly qualified and experienced officers are being forced out of service early in order for the AF to re-direct money from their salaries to new weapon systems.

[CholeraJoe]

The F-15 has never been shot down by another aircraft in combat.

And they've been in real combat how many times? None?