“Good luck catching up with the tech in this puppy: http://www.f-22raptor.com/";
That “puppy” is a 15 year old airplane with software problems, limited payload, and an over-reliance on stealth.
What’s going to happen on the day that Russia/China figures out a way to manipulate radar to defeat our vaunted bet-the-house-on-stealth strategy? That day IS coming sooner or later.
Geeee...you have managed to oversimplify the F-22, and its advantages in one post. Putin, is that you?
Other than stealth, which you accurately mentioned, the F-22 has many features that you have not...that’s mighty convenient of you.
The F-22 has highly efficient engines giving it the ability to supercruise at MACH without afterburner...unlike other FastJets which can only sprint short distances at MACH without burning their complete fuel loads.
The avionics package, which you mention has had software bugs, was fixed (a common occurrence in 1st batch production aircraft. Geee..what model F-18 are we up too now? I think F)...and...you failed to mention that that those same avionics are the most advanced in the world...and not 15 years old...allowing the F-22 “First sight” engagement abilities.
It’s ability has already been proven here:
http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/5949
Please specify how limited it’s payload is...as far as an air superiority fighter/ground attack is concerned it has an excellent ability to carry a multitude of strike packages. Detailed here:http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-22.htm
Geee...I dont think we’re ever going to rest on our laurels and with the headstart we already have...we have reason to be proud of our armed forces. I suggest you get better acquainted with aircraft...
We have some serious problems technologically as well.. We lack the capacity to “Build down” come to an understanding that a mix of pentultimate platforms and serviceable platforms provides the best security..
Then again with 700 more Generals and Admirials on active duty with a 1.9 million man Military than we had on active duty with a 15 million man Military in WWII we are so top heavy we cannot even stand up..
We have 20,000 more Col, Lt Cols, and Major on active duty than the Tables of Organization and Equipment require to man the Divisions we have. Just retire them and don’t replace them we could field 2 Entire Combat Divisions down to the Privates and still have Officers to spare.
We have serious problems.. A lousy 20 “ Super Duper” Bombers located at the same base is nothing to cheer about.
W
Wrong!
Even if you took out ALL the Stealthy abilities found in the Raptor it would still be the best fighter in the world! Stealth only takes it to another level. Think of it this way:
- in terms of kinematic performance it has no equal! It is able to super-cruise, giving it the ability to have a far larger CAP footprint as well as being able to 'dictate' the fight.
- its AESA radar is the best, bar none.
- in terms of being nimble it is up there with the best of them. Now, the Ruskie MiG-25 may have better agility due to its 3D-TVC, but the 2D-TVC found in the Raptor enables it to do aerial wonders nonetheless.
- Its speed enables it have its launched weapons garner longer range (JDAM testing end of last year showed this, and according to one report AMRAAM range was increased by almost 50%).
- sensor fusion. 'nuff said
Anyways, the Raptor would still be the best airframe flying even if it didn't have stealth. The only problem is that the edge it would possess wouldn't be THAT great (e.g. the Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, and evolved-series Flankers and super-Flankers coming up within the next half decade would probably start giving it some heat as they mature). Add stealth and all those capabilities are enhanced.
For instance, take its performance against double-digit SAMs (e.g. S-300/400). No legacy aircraft would have any chance of surviving. The Raptor, with its stealth AND KINEMATIC PERFORMANCE would be able to get close enough to do damage (and that is all that is needed ....not true invisibility, but just the ability to get close enough).
Anyways, while I agree that certain airframes (e.g. the F-117) relied too much on Stealth (e.g. if it is discovered the NightHawk is a veritable sitting duck), that cannot be said of the Raptor. Even without Stealth it would still be a MiG-killer .....the pilot would just be forced to actually do real work.
The trick is to combine land based radar technology and low orbit geosynchronous satellites. It is just a matter of time when it will be done by joint effort of China and Russia.