Ballet in the Sky

[LVSteve]

If the online military comics are half right, then the F/A-22 is a full generation behind the F-35 when it comes to sensors and information fusion, especially for the air-to-ground mission. For sure the F/A-22 will run rings around the F-35 in a knife fight, but Plan A for both types is to avoid that. I suspect the F/A-22 would need an almost an entire redesigned to bring it up to date. A quick search of the Web will turn up a slew of pages describing how the F-35's electronics and engines are already cooling limited. Kludging the F-35s electronics into an airframe not designed for them is a recipe for disaster.

As for the F-35 being a bomb truck, not so much. Both types have their stealth ruined by external ordnance, and the F-35 has fewer (and I believe smaller) weapons bays than the F/A-22. The only practical way forward in the near to medium term is to buy lots of F-15Xs with its new radar that leverages the F-35s radar. They are loading up a bunch of F-16s with the same technology just to make them better aggressors, which is pretty out there. Search for the SABRE radar and similar.

 

[rwsmith]

O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O.............

A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-AH ! ! !

We need more of those. It looks like it can pick about anyplace it wants to go in 3 dimensional space and get there.

 

[rwsmith]

The old days.....

Oh, yeah! That's the 180th Fighter Wing of the ANG based at Swanton just west of Toledo. They come down here for training maneuvers 2-3 times a year for several weeks at a time. I stepped out on my front porch one time during their practice just in time to see one of them fly out of a low cloud in my direction.

I've always enjoyed watching the F16 -saw the Thunderbirds one time in Miwaukee and was really impressed with their capabilities. But that was over 30 years ago and I know that the new machines are more advanced. They're still fun to watch though.

Regards,
Andy

*** The emphasis these days is on safety, which is good for the crowd and the planes and pilots, but way back when they would really let their hair down and put on a thrilling and electrifying show, even while flying T-38s. I want to stand there, salute and set off Roman candles. I'll never pass up a good aerial demonstration, though.

 

[SC_Mike]

I made it until 1:17 then had to reach for the little bag.