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Vanishing American Air Superiority

Triangle Bar

Well-known member
Here's a good article on why we need the F-22 Raptor. It's a good read that clearly explains why we need two fighters.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/03/vanishing_american_air_superio.html
 

hypocritexposer

Well-known member
Very good article.

U.S. Air Force doctrine on fighter procurement is known as the high/low mix. The "high" component consists of a dedicated air-superiority fighter, utilizing the latest aeronautical technology, fitted with state-of the-art electronics, and carrying the most advanced air-to-air weapons. These aircraft have one mission -- to kill enemy airplanes. This is the paramount goal of a fighter force. Without it, nothing else can be accomplished. That being the case, the high-end fighter is the more expensive and complex part of the mix. They are rare assets, to be utilized accordingly.

In the last few conflicts, air-superiority was an easily accomplished goal. But what if....
 

Steve

Well-known member
China now has the second largest defense budget in the world, with expenditures to boost its intercontinental ballistic missile arsenal and acquire nuclear submarines and destroyers. Yet the Chinese air force remains very weak, with capabilities dramatically inferior to the U.S.’s. The arsenals of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (plaaf) and Naval Air Force (planaf) consist mostly of fighter planes (used primarily for defensive purposes) imported from Russia. The scarcity of bombers (used for offensive purposes) and China’s continued reliance on foreign planes pose a puzzle to U.S. defense planners. Apparently content to rely on missiles to project power, China’s doctrine contrasts sharply with American ideas about the importance of air superiority.
http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/3448891.html
 

Cowpuncher

Well-known member
There is more than one side to this issue.

First, each F-22 costs close to $200,000,000. If we bought some 200 more of these planes, we are talking about $40 Billion to acquire them.

Second, it costs about $45,000 per flight hour for maintainence and operating costs.

Third, we must dig up some $37 Billion to replace our Eisenhower-age in-flight refueling tankers.

Fourth, The F-22 must be hangared indoors because of the anti-radar paint jobs which are really hard to keep up.

Fifth, The defense budget (which presumably includes ongoing wars) is some $600 plus billions which is approximately 15 times that of China, Russia or any other country.

The end of F-22 production was proposed by the Defense Depardment - Secretary Gates.

The US was able to outspend the Soviet Union and eventually bring about its demise. If we spend so much of our GNP on high-dollar toys for the Air Force, why can't this happen to us.

And finally, the F-35 is probably going to be the LAST MANNED FIGHTER.

Already, the services are planning to develop much cheaper unmanned planes. With no concern about pilot safety, performance to these new
drones will make g-forces less significant along with pilot ejection, pressurization and pilot training a whole new world.

Look at what the slow drones are doing in Pakistan. You ain't seen nothing yet.
 
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