Eric Palmer posted an article that questioned the classified information being given to partner nations in the F-35 program ... information apparently so compelling that they believe the F-35 will dominate aerial combat for the next quarter century or so.
One senior official from the region, who has access to the most sensitive classified information about the system, told me recently that the F-35 is "simply undefeatable." And this official said the aircraft is expected to maintain its dominance for at least one quarter of a century.
My question is a bit more basic. What classified information is there on the Super Hornet that has some Naval Aviators believing that they can match any threat until a 6th gen fighter comes along.
My thinking? It has to be about electronic attack.
My thinking is that many in the U.S. Navy have spent a career looking at the F-35 as a threat to their full buy of Super Hornets. Old habits die hard and the resistance has nothing to do with reality.
ReplyDeleteAre we talking like Battlestar Galactica where the Cylons can shut down a Viper's advanced computer systems?
ReplyDeleteI think it has technology that allows it to turn AAM and SAM against the user -- maybe by taking control of guidance mechanisms. On top of that, I think it can see other stealth platforms like they're sitting in plain sight. Think of these two things together -- F-35 sees an enemy stealth platform and launches against it, but the enemy evades and counters and then the F-35 takes control of the enemy ordinance and redirects back at the aggressor to accompany its own second volley. Done.
ReplyDeleteIt's 'ordnance' btw, not 'ord_i_nance'. No sweat, it's a common misspell. However, while it sounds very cool, that's a very risky strategy on which to rely fully, and right-off one has to assume incoming missile(s) are data-linked too, i.e., not on fire-and-forget mode, or not helmet cued in a WVR engagement. One's also assuming your adversary doesn't catch on to what you're doing (in the next 5 years of marketing, testing and eval) and come up with a counter-measure and/or tactics thus neutralizing your sole silver bullet advantage. But remember, it's the actual sensor suite (and good enough computing power to manage it) which can detect LO/VLO aircraft, not the platform. Alternative strategy would thus be: integrate that same 'missile-redirecting' technology and Stealth-seeing sensor suite on a squadron of G650 to escort your F-16, F-15, Super Hornet package, or simply integrate a couple Stunner missiles under the wing of said Super G650 to fly CAP 8-10 hrs, un-refueled. Talk about innovative and cost-effective.
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The Hornet is here, it's battle tested and it works, K.I.S.S.
ReplyDeleteThe F-35 is an unknown un-tested in real combat Fighter with more promise than actual action.
What's the edge? The quality of the pilots.
You can give a Top Gun an average fighter and he would get kills and survive, give a poor pilot the best fighter in the world with all the blinking lights and most lethal weaponry with the ability to hide and he will at best be safest if he hides.
Average F-18 Hornets and superior pilots.
Every fighter is unknown and untested before it's tested -- all of our legacy successes were once in the same boat. Are you opposed to cutting edge capability in the hands of superior pilots?
Deleteif the secret sauce is electronic attack
ReplyDeletewhy
is Australia buying growlers?????
because Growlers are the attack version of the Super Hornet
DeleteI think Growlers are a smart buy for Australia. I assume they're cheaper than the F-35 first of all. Not to mention the Growler is still a badass in it's own right. I mean, regionally, what would they go up against? Old Migs out of like South East Asia(?), or maybe some Africans in a pontoon to protect shipping lanes?
DeleteIt's not like they're worthless. Given the recent spout of conflicts countries have gotten into in the past 10-20 years Growlers are still pretty top notch. If you're a country like Australia, you generally tend to leave it to countries like the US to do the heavy lifting militarily speaking.
The only super serious threat to Australia is China. And if they get into it with China F-35s aren't going to stop that slaughter.
Steven, you are bang on for AU. But they will need something else in the future (near future) to bolster Super Hornets/Growlers, unlikely the F35 fits the bill...for a range of reason (can i just mention range again.....). China would likely take sheer volume to any type of foreign 'occupation' something AU could not stop currently or with limited volume air defence, no matter how advanced. AUs question is what airframe make sense financially (if that is possible) and what works in with the most likely allies in the region, foreign based or sovereign. Not to mention the likely roles for aircraft to play in Australian defence.
ReplyDeletehmm. if that's the case then shouldn't Australia be buying the F-35? Japan, S. Korea, Singapore are buying it. The only other airplane that might make sense in the concept that you're talking about might be to get in with Russia and India with the PAK-FA but i can't see that happening.
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DeleteIntently CuriosSaturday, March 30, 2013 5:16:00 PM
DeleteThe f35 does not meet its original op criteria, and the revised specs put it off what AU should require (among others).
However the term what AU requires is the issue. Close air support (for ground troops), air superiority, strike/attack aircraft... It's about what AU is capable of doing in the region and obviously budget. Relatively low population and GDP make it a difficult choice, particularly given the land mass to 'protect', and what role does/should AU take in the SEA region in terms of defence and regional peace/military mediator.
F35 is no long range strike craft, maybe an interceptor, but evidence suggests it will not survive a typical dog fight....if it ever enters one. That is an argument in its self.
I Don't discount the range if SU3x aircraft, but AU would be hard pressed to go down this path, however they will all make the F18 (Super/growler) look for an early exit.... In WVR engagement. With the Mig 2x range the SHornet has it with appropriate AWCS support etc,
Good question might be what might AU face in the next 20 years in terms of air threats. Might start to see some PAK-FA or Chinese built version/ or J31. But expect the development to be like the F35 long expensive and potentially just to much at once. In the shorter term its unlikely to face a lot of newer generation aircraft vastly superior to the f18 (not saying there are not better aircraft around for certain jobs)
Even if NK get excited and have dash blowing things up a well supported air security/ strike up that neck of the woods might be the most serious strike effort and military threat AU might be apart of (following the US that will have tested and destroyed all major SA and AA threats). Something the Chinese might also be apart of..
I don't want to bang on about the F35 but here is my opinion.
It will go down as the most expensive learning curb in military aviation history. It will get pushed to front line service then face an early retirement do to op costs and service deployment limits. New aircraft will take the what's learnt and systems (that work) and apply them properly.
So what's next...
Well the US needs to get their aircraft development program under control and stop the catastrophic bleeding of funds to under performing aviation businesses for front line strike aircraft. Promises mean 0 when there is no contract that enforces build and development time line hurdles. Not to mention costs. The F22 program was huge, but they got an aircraft that works, The f35 is impinging on multiple countries and the bar keeps moving as to performance capabilities....anyone lined up for that program must be wondering what they are going to receive..if at all... and if the bleed rate of orders continues, the f35 will be lucky to see service (as per my previous comment).
Rant finished...but I can keep going....
Simple in fact...the Super Hornet can be upgraded with the same sensors as the JSF and its «James Bond» advantage lies in its EW system and AESA radar.
ReplyDeleteConsider this:
-Its AESA radar can detect the radar of outher stealth aircraft denying any BVR advantage they have(they light up the radar they stop beying VLO).It can also jam enemy fighter radar.
-Its towable decoy can double the number of planes in the enemy radar scopes
-Its radar can fry the incoming missiles electronics.
-Most dogfights end up at very low altitude and slow speeds where the F/A-18 excels.
-Its a big plane with lots of room to grow
-We all know that the AMRAAM has lock on to jamming,so maybe it also has some secret feature in witch it can lock on to outher planes radar emitions
I completely agree with you.
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