Warbird Information Exchange

The F-35 for now, after that who knows. I think it will be a long time before UCAV's replace manned fighters.

Mike

Unfortunately, no. Simply the way the two jets were built -- with big intakes and exhaust nozzles that allow radar waves to look right on to the face of the engine -- means that it would take an enormous amount of electronic jamming power to "hide" them from frontline SAMs.

Current SAMs were designed to kill CRUISE MISSILES -- so, objects that are fast and have very small radar cross sections. In addition, the missiles themselves were designed to be impact-kill vehicles. In other words, the missiles don't blow up in close proximity to the target -- it is designed to be able to maneuver so precisely that the missile causes most of its damage by physically impacting the target.

So, a SAM that is designed to physically hit a fast, small RCS object (the old adage of 'hitting a bullet with another bullet' applies) will have NO PROBLEM finding and hitting an object with a much larger radar cross section, like an F-15 or F-16.

On top of that, when you start amping up jammer power in order to "hide" yourself, you start robbing the host vehicle of its ability to use it's own on-board sensors (e.g. radar and defensive systems). So, by blinding the enemy, you are also blinding yourself.

I fully realize that the Raptor is a VERY EXPENSIVE aircraft. I also realize that in the US today there are social problems and other military programs that could benefit from the infusion of money. In my mind, it's a bit like deciding to not change the oil in your car so that you can pay for new tires. Are good tires important? Yes...but do they do any good if the engine siezes because of lack of oil? On the other hand, is a well-lubricated engine any good if all four tires are flat?

The people calling for the end of the Raptor, and arguing that the money is needed elsewhere, are essentially saying that their tires are more important than our oil. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, as far as I'm concerned. The Raptor is just an easy scapegoat for much bigger controversies in the US Department of Defense and US foreign policy. Most non-aviators don't understand the actual capabilities of friendly and threat weapon systems, so they consequently make decisions or form opinions off what may not be accurate information (such as a blanket statement like 'our F-15s and F-16s are good enough').

Hey Randy...you ever give any thought to running for political office if you ever decide to get out of the Air Force? You certainly do have a fantastic grasp of the entire situation in today's military. One can hope that all of our current military people are as intelligent as you! Being a former Air Force member myself, I know first hand that we always did (and seemingly still do) get the best and brightest

I fully understand what you and many others are saying about how we need to stay on top of the technological universe and take full advantage of the brain trust in this country. I also read what you wrote about how enormous our military budget is. Taking a billion or two out of that budget to use on a worthwhile project like the rebuilding of New Orleans would seem to be but a drop in the bucket to the military and a Godsend to the displaced people from NOLA.

Just my thoughts...now how do we draft Randy into office???

_________________
Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.