Originally posted by lukster
Faster ain't always better.
Can't touch this
Ah, so your point is you are unable to comprehend that my post was in response to Raider14's. Ok, np.
In any case I'd take superior speed over superior stealth any day. Being faster than your enemy gives you the opportunity to escape if you're detected. A 50 year old fighter can kill the B-2 if it is spotted, and it is not so difficult to spot a stealth plane as some people would like you to believe. Stealth gives you more options, but there is still a lot of good planning required to successfully penetrate a modern air defense. A poorly planned stealth mission is a death sentence for the otherwise defenseless stealth planes, like the Serbs showed us.
The completely outdated Iraqi Mig-25's on the other hand attacked a flight of F-111's in broad daylight and were engaged by escorting F-15s. The F-15s fired all their BVR missiles in vain; the Migs were untouchable.
Like wise the Tu-22M and Tu-160 are faster than any currently operating western fighter (carrying a war load). The only possible exception is the F-22 which carries its missiles internally.
The oldest rule in the book: Speed is life. Unfortunately this rule seems lost on many.