People like to believe that the above photo illustrates a common air to air load out for modern fighters....
Not hardly folks...its just a glamour shot...nothing more or less.
Lets get the discussion on actual combat loads back into the realm of reality.
UPDATE.
I haven't read this issue of Aviation Week (but I plan to once I visit my local bookstore) but it has the best image I've seen of the "evolved" Super Hornet.
Note that in its stealth configuration, designed to go head up against the F-35---it limits its weapons load to perhaps 6 air to air missiles (I think in its current configuration its 4) so again...another quiver in my argument about fantasy combat versus its reality.
why wouldn't a naval F/A 18 be on cap with a full anti air load-out?
ReplyDeleteIf the fleet is steaming into a hostile littoral environment, with the expectation of encountering a potential threat of a volley of sea skimming missiles, such as any of the mid-east gulf, the eastern med, and southeast asia, the first line of defense would still be f/a 18s with amraams far out from the fleet. isn't that why they were chosen over the tomcat? partly anyway? they supposedly had a better platform/systems for engaging sea skimming missiles, which our gulf enemies have a glut of?
I can't imagine a situation when you wouldn't have a dedicated combat air patrol in a potential threat environment.
weight and maneuvering is not a question against missiles, they don't yet have evade capabilities, just vector on target, close to maximum range, and fire, confirm target destruction, repeat... right?
tomcats were very often deployed on caps with a full air to air load-out in gulf I,
Because the Super Bug does not have the range and endurance of the Tomcat on internal gas, because all those dual missile pylons create a lot of drag, because there are no S3 tankers anymore, meaning the F18 force has to tank itself.....
ReplyDeleteSolomon's point is that the F35 is way better than any evolved F18 will ever be - my answer is "yes, maybe, but at what price ?"
In case anyone missed this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE3h8yImm4U&feature=player_embedded
ReplyDeleteB. Bolsøy
Oslo
To be fair the aircraft in the picture is a regular Bug, not Super..but point taken, photo op is a bit unrealistic
ReplyDelete"U.S. and Allies Weigh Options for No-Fly Zone Over Libya"
ReplyDeleteNow, this can be the first time the 4th/5th Gen gets to challenge a Su30/35-defended air force.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/world/europe/28military.html?hp
we're still talking about a 3rd world air force.
ReplyDeletetraining levels won't be comparable. equipment though impressive still won't be top of the line.
it'll still be a turkey shoot.
That's what we said when the Serbs shot down the first F117 @ Balkans. Complacency will ruin your days.
ReplyDeletethat was an action that there Army carried out. not the Serbian air force.
ReplyDeletenot complacent, just realistic.
if a no fly zone is established then the rules of engagement are going to be relatively easy...sorta rewind of the Iraq experience before the invasion.
If recent defections are a guide, the Libyan AF doesnt have enough loyal pilots who would be willing to go up against a decent adversary. The jig is up and bell is already tolling for Gaddafi. A No-Fly Zone sounds good now but the damage is already done, too little too late, by the time Obummer gets off his ass the conflict will already be finished...
ReplyDeleteFairly certain the SU30/35 fighters haven't been delivered to Libya yet. Nor the S-300 SAM system they are apparently acquiring.
ReplyDeleteSeems updated Mirage F1's are their most advanced combat aircraft.
Evolution starts on the ground, not in the air; air power only matters when in proper context.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/France-Begins-Massive-Aid-Effort-for-Libyan-Opposition-117054408.html
The best jet the Libyans have right now is the Mirage F1. They have one left operational. The new Sukois have not been delivered yet. They have some upgraded MiG-23s, but some were sabotaged by their pilots and then captured by anti-government militia. Only aircraft I've seen flying are Su-20s and Mi-24s.
ReplyDeleteanyways
A Stealth Hornet sounds good but on day 2 of the war they better be able and willing to load a lot of un-stealthy payload on those wings. Also to echo the post above for a Naval jet on CAP weapons are more important that stealth, any air attack that threatens a CSG is going to be overwhelming, and if the attackers get their vampires off having large numbers of AAMs increases the odds of intercepting them.
Allies warplane fired on Libyan military vehicles.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/19/2123190/world-leaders-gather-in-critical.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/africa/20libya.html?_r=1
The second Arab and U.N. backed alliance in modern history to deal with a rogue Arab state. Heard that US forces are to focus on Libyan littoral.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/03/us-role-focuses-on-libyan-littorals.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InformationDissemination+%28Information+Dissemination%29
yeah, i read those....i just think this is a huge mistake.
ReplyDeletehistory will judge but i just don't see anything good coming of this.
History will judge.
ReplyDeleteOperation Odyssey Dawn
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/africa/20libya.html?_r=1&hp