F-22
Perspective?
F-15 first flew in 1972
Eurofightr 1st delivered aircraft was in 2003. This represents a 30 year difference in technology, which as we all know increases exponentially over time.
Seems proper to compare the Eurofighter with the F-22 and not the F-15 which is relatively obsolete.
I just rolled into this discussion. For someone who knows little about these things, I’m amazed at the absurdity of the author.
It’s like saying, a team of old timers, made up of Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Stan Mikita and Bobby Orr etc...were soundly beaten by the Peoria Rivermen hockey team.. (minor league)...
Let me say up front that I’m a big F-22 fan and think we need to buy more of them. Enough to replace the F-15C fleet on a 1-1 basis.
HOWEVER, something that needs to be pointed out here is that exercises like this are always highly scripted to present specific scenarios. All we know is that a couple Typhoons ate a larger number of F-15s alive, apparently starting from a defending position.
What we DON’T know are all the other elements of the scenario. Were the F-15s using US tactics, or were they playing the role of MiGs/Sukhois using the tactics of other nations? If the F-15s WERE using US tactics, were they using them to the fullest, not holding anything back? Were they using US technical goodies to their full advantage?
A few years back the USAF was trumpeting an exercise where a bunch of F-15s had been pretty much waxed out of the sky by Indian Su-27 derivatives as “proof” of the need to buy more F-22s. Speculation was the exercise was pure, in-close ACM where the F-15s never got to turn on their ECM, turn their radars to full power, didn’t have AWACS support, etc. IOW, a knife-fight situation that would rarely exist in a real-world conflict (doesn’t mean we shouldn’t train for it, btw) where the Su’s better maneuverability gave it a distinct advantage.
If the F-15 was a car it would have antique tags.
When our guys fly against foreign allies, they are not allowed to display all their tactics.
Definately something to praise and jump for glee about.....not. Personally, given the money invested in the 2003 Euroefighter, I would be quite pissed if it was beat by a 1972 F-15. =.=
Maybe the F15 pilots were crappy. The last time I quoted airkill ratios against the F15 by pilots of a supposedly inferior airplane (the Harrier), that was what I was told.
Promised super-carriers are still lurking just over the fiscal horizon
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1342535/posts