Gates to Cut Several Major Weapons Programs

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by gumborue, Apr 6, 2009.

  1. USMTiger

    USMTiger Founding Member

    First of all, a 10:1 ratio is improbable. Our current fighters use the same weapons and same countermeasures as the F-22. The F-22 has the advantage of stealth when it uses 6 AIM-120C missiles in it's internal bays. Anything more than that negates the stealth factor. So assuming you score kills with every one of the 6 missiles, you are looking at 6:1 ratio. Now, knowing that the same countermeasures are used on the 15s, 16s, and 18s, you cannot assume that every single missile would score a hit. We can be generous and say 50%. So you have a 3:1 ratio.

    What the other jets can do that the F-22 cannot is crucial in modern war: ground attacks. That is the useful role of our jet flights. Air-to-air is almost useless. Since Vietnam, we have been in countless military conflicts. How many have involved air-to-air combat? How many of our existing jets have been shot down? Zero.
     
  2. SabanFan

    SabanFan The voice of reason

    Dems are taking us there anyway so we might as well have some kickass toys.
     
  3. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

    Libya 1981, Libya 1989, Iraq 1991, and Yugoslavia 1999 involved air-to-air kills.

    Enemy air forces were also engaged in Libya 1986 and Iraq 2003.

    30. Most by SAM and AAA. A couple are undetermined.
     
  4. USMTiger

    USMTiger Founding Member

    I should have been more clear. There has been air-to-air combat, but it is rare. My main point is how many of our planes have been shot down by other planes? I can't find a single instance of this since Vietnam.

    Fire from the ground is a threat to any fighter, so there have definitely been casualties that way. But the F-22s role is to kill other planes, and we have much less expensive planes that can do that role just fine.
     
  5. SabanFan

    SabanFan The voice of reason

    Cost should not be an issue where National Defense/Security is concerned.
     
  6. LSUsupaFan

    LSUsupaFan Founding Member

    I agree, but there is a difference between the funds needed to adequately defend the country and the money that is spent on super advanced badassery.

    I think USM's arguement makes a whole lot of sense.
     
  7. Bandit88

    Bandit88 Old Enough to Know Better

    Your thinking is too constrained. :grin:
     
  8. saltyone

    saltyone So Mote It Be

    I wish you would say the same about all of obama's welfare state plans.
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. USMTiger

    USMTiger Founding Member

    So are my man parts. Maybe your sister could help with that? :wink::wink:
     
  10. Bandit88

    Bandit88 Old Enough to Know Better

    There was a time when an air superiority fighter was just that. That time is long, long gone. The F-22 was the F/A-22 a few years ago. You know what changed? The name.
     
    1 person likes this.

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