Replies

Should F22 be canceled?

Har to question to answer absolutely, when there are so many variables involved. Maybe not make as many of them. Transfer technology to other systems

But hey, a good topic & a good question to stimulate discussion.

Now for my unqualified & low seniority response (which makes it as valid as any other here ;-).

We always design these weapon systems with everything and the kitchen sink thrown into them, then the aircraft is never used that way such as the F-111, or on the other side we design the aircraft to a narrow spec, and then proceed to load it up with all the other requirements, take the F-104 as an example. Of course which design bureau the acft was designed in plays a large factor.

I remember (when I was in the service in the early 70's) and the B1-A was a semi-secret/public thing, we had Generals claiming all they needed to stop a Soviet sweep of east Europe was a fleet of 10 B1's.
But then the B1-A & B1-B ECM suite never lived up to expectation as I understand. No matter though, the B1 has never been used for its original mission account the fall of the Soviet Bloc.

But who knows how a weapon system will function until it is tested in real warfare?

Even with the flaws of the B1, a fleet of them on the deck at 900 knots, with their imperfect ecm suites, but good crews, loaded with SRAM's and HARM's would have been a serious threat to any adversary.