Few remember it but the West Germans were the most aggressive of all the allies when it came to efforts to field STOVL aircraft back in the 60s.
They were faced with the same threats that US forces are presented with in the Pacific vs. the Chinese military. Just as we fear bases being rendered unusable due to attack, the West Germans faced that possibility from the Soviet Union.
Two examples of promising planes that were left on the drawing board.
Note the FOB (Friend of Bill) at the beginning of this second video..I wonder if he knows this guy;))
Thanks for the refresher videos, Solomon.
ReplyDeleteI would say though, that the US in the Pacific is in quite a different position than the West Germans. The airfields in both scenarios are threatened, however, the West Germans were preparing to operate in a defensive operation against a known enemy As such, they could prepare rough forward operating fields pre-stocked with fuel, ammunition, etc. These fields could also be sited to reduce distances from likely avenues of attack, and therefore reduce the transit to target times and operational distances.
The U.S. does not have these luxuries in the Pacific. The U.S. doesn't have the ability to prepare hardened or even rough operating fields in all the potential areas of conflict. Without these bases pre-stocked with supplies, the logistics to setup and supply these points become an enormous burden. Also, the operational distances in a Pacific conflict are likely to be much greater. STOVL, regardless of implementation, carries an inherent weight and range penalty. These are magnified by the longer operating distances.
Now, I do believe that Taiwan, Japan, Korea or Vietnam would be in a much similar role to West Germany and as sovereign countries, could prepare these operating points against likely avenues of attack. They would benefit much more from the STOVL capabilities while paying much less of its penalties.
STOVL is such an elusive technological gimble with questionable tactical value.
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