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Author Topic: Best modern fighters  (Read 1887 times)

Offline fd ski

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« Reply #45 on: April 10, 2003, 02:50:06 PM »
Served on two CVN's, in S3 squadron.

Some notes on F18s: ( only C/Ds in my time )

Range is short, and i mean really short.
Any mission will more then likely be flown with DTs which negates couple of arming points.
In 94 we had F14s frequently fly bombing missions while 18s flew escort, because 18 couldn't carry a decent number of bombs and DTs at the same time, and air opposition wasn't really expected.

18E/F has more fuel capacity but also larger engines so the range isn't increased significantly. But it does have two extra pylons for payload, no doubt for expected DT usage.

18 is indeed a jack of all trades and master of none. Medicore at best.
I doubt if it will be able to replace EA6Bs capability in the future. Seeing as F14s are bombing it obviously didn't fill in A6Es shoes very well.
As for S3s, that's a whole different story. Different mission, different plane.
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Offline mjolnir

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« Reply #46 on: April 14, 2003, 09:59:06 AM »
Well, since this thread got resurrected, I guess there's no harm in me pointing out that the F-15C Eagle and the F-15E Strike Eagle are two completely different planes.  The Eagle is an air-superiority fighter, whereas the Strike Eagle is primarily an air-to-mud plane.  Also, I know this thread was started almost a year ago, but can we now include the F-22 on the list?  They're already starting to train up operational units, shouldn't be too much longer before we see them in combat.

« Last Edit: April 14, 2003, 10:02:42 AM by mjolnir »
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Offline DoctorYO

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« Reply #47 on: April 14, 2003, 10:33:24 AM »
For lopsided budgets I'd go with the f22 or the f15.....


On the cheap there no question the Mig 29 fulcrum...   with the f16 a close second..

The cost of those aircraft is about half to 1/3 of that of those advanced avionics fighters...

Not to say those advanced fighters arn't worth the cost..  Modern air combat avionics and radars have proven their weight on the battlefield...

Given equal money I'd go with mass over quality...

having a 3 to 1 advantage exponentially hurts the quality guys worse for every aircraft downed..  also you can cover more air with more fighters...   Given a good forward radar system those inferior aircraft can still be directed onto target and as noted earlier seeing the enemy first is the most important part of modern air combat.  IMO....

so in a flight on flight sortie no forward radar the f15's f14's etc... with there  onboard radars rule the battlefield...

but when faced with a non air superiority situation I'd take mass everytime..


2 cents..

BTW you should check out the AOA of the fulcrum... its down right silly...   Only thing that can touch it in a knifefight is maybe vectored thrust birds...




DoctorYO
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Offline Saintaw

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« Reply #48 on: April 14, 2003, 11:24:28 AM »
Uhh and I thought that F14's were only Standoff platforms for those big A/A phoenix missiles. "Shooting a Bear out of the woods", so to speak :)
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Offline Furball

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« Reply #49 on: April 14, 2003, 12:10:57 PM »
http://www.eurofighter.com/typhoon/costhome.asp this is interesting, click on 'Affordable Air Dominance'.

That gripen is a really nice looking plane!

heres the Eurofighter Typhoon



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Offline milnko

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« Reply #50 on: April 14, 2003, 12:21:18 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by fd ski
Served on two CVN's, in S3 squadron.

As for S3s, that's a whole different story. Different mission, different plane.
VS-32 Baby! (1982-1985/ two IO/Med cruises USS America)

Did ya see Naval Wings on The History Channel that showcased the S-3B?

Was too cool watchin' that turbofanned slung beastie firing Air to Air missiles, Harpoons then droppin' eggs, torps, and mines.  :D

And where's the love for the F-111?
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Offline Smut

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« Reply #51 on: April 15, 2003, 05:44:43 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by milnko
VS-32 Baby! (1982-1985/ two IO/Med cruises USS America)


Hey small world. Just missed you. Probably made some of the same workups in '85.

VF-33 "Starfighters" (1985-88/one NATO/Med cruise USS America)

CVW-1 Baby!

-Smut
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Offline milnko

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« Reply #52 on: April 15, 2003, 11:57:12 AM »
Smut (shipmate!)

My last workup aboard the AMERICA ended in England in Sept. 1985, my wife was expecting twins, so when we pulled into Portsmouth I took leave, went up to Midenhall RAF base and hopped a flight home insteada ridin' the boat back.

Quite an adventure in itself, but to make a long story short I arrived in Jacksonville, with just enough time for the wife to pick me up, drive me home, get in bed, and to start her labor! That's right, no sooner my head hits the pillow than she wakes me to run her to the hospital.  :eek:

You know us NAVY types, it's all about timing! :D
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Offline Smut

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« Reply #53 on: April 15, 2003, 03:12:30 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by GScholz
The Mig-31 carries the most powerful radar of any fighter (record previouslly held by Mig-25), the electronically scanned phased-array SBI 16 Zaslon "Flash Dance" with a tracking range of 124 miles.


You mean "most powerful radar of any Soviet fighter"...the AWG-9 in the F-14A is quite a bit more powerful than the MiG-31's. By "more powerful" I mean in terms of raw radar power out, as well as radar signal processing power. Max STT range for the AWG-9 is also a great deal further, as one might expect.

The APG-71 in the F-14D puts out the same power as the AWG-9, but has greatly improved signal processing. Draw from that whatever conclusions you wish.

-Smut
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Offline davidpt40

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« Reply #54 on: April 15, 2003, 03:21:28 PM »
Luftwaffe Mig29s tear up U.S. F16s all the time.  Helmet mounted IR missle seeker is a MAJOR advantage.
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Offline Mini D

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« Reply #55 on: April 15, 2003, 05:11:16 PM »
Holy disappearing posts!

Hey Smut... which Jane's production was it that you worked on?  Did you handle the technical reference / data / performance aspect of things there?

MiniD
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Offline Ike 2K#

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« Reply #56 on: April 15, 2003, 05:37:04 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Cerceuilvolant
Durr wrote:










LOL that French Rafale will kick the Eurotyphoon's ass/arse
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Offline Ike 2K#

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« Reply #57 on: April 15, 2003, 05:43:13 PM »
Is there a fighter out there with good avionics, weapons, speed and agility that even a poor country can own it and maintain it?
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Offline senna

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« Reply #58 on: April 15, 2003, 06:45:07 PM »
OMG, look at those migs. I want I want!

:D
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Offline senna

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« Reply #59 on: April 15, 2003, 07:05:00 PM »
« Last Edit: April 15, 2003, 07:45:31 PM by senna »
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