[thescourged1]

Yeah, I showed up late for this thread, but the bottom line issue got lost with thread length. The issue being that we need a stop-gap naval all-purpose fighter until our future design(s) are ready to hit carrier decks. Yes, it's generally acknowledged that the Hornet isn't up to the task that is was built for, and never was. Folks need to quit dreaming about the upgraded F-14/A-6 designs, they ain't coming back, get used to it. Personally, I would like to have them myself, but the realities forbid it. Perhaps a limited-term license to produce these Russian fighters may fill the gap that needs filling. Hey, I'm not wild about using Russkie designs, but our pilot's lives and our naval superiority may depend on it in the near future. And you never know, with us building them we may change these excellent Russian designs into truly world-class aircraft.

[lentulusgracchus]

Hey, I'm not wild about using Russkie designs......

Strictly speaking, the "Flanker" isn't a Russian design, but rather a Russian copy of the Iranian F-14A the KGB got them. Hence the sobriquet, "Tomcatsky".

That's why it so closely resembles the Tom in size, performance, and appearance, and why it's such a good fit to replace the F-14D's Cheney and Grumman screwed us out of.

Load a "Flanker" up with F-14 avionics, and you've essentially got a fixed-wing Tomcat.