Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
Hi Alec,
The arguments being made today against the BVR missiles and engagements are exactly the same that were being made by essentially the same, with a few new protégés, faux 'Reformers' as in the 70s and 80s. They are just as false and without merit as they were the first time these ideologically driven, and militarily-challenged charlatans made them.
I recommend you Google up "The Revolt of the Majors: How the Air Force Changed After Vietnam". It is the doctoral thesis (Auburn U)of a retired AF Colonel and AF Historian Marshall L. Michel III. It builds a very coherent picture (though with a surprising number of typos) of how training AND technology make the AF an effective fighting force. You could probably skip to near the end around Chapter 12 for some AMRAAM, BVR, and 'Reformer' perspective, but you would so yourself a disservice if you didn't read the whole (~450 pages) thing. I keep a copy for the references alone.
I won't get into what AMRAAM capabilities might 'be' except to say that ALL missiles are designed to work in a dense electromagnetic environment. After all, who, if they knew anything about the technology involved, would suppose otherwise? There are textbooks on testing guided weapons that had sections devoted to the validation and verification of counter-counter-measures. So it is not as if the challenges are unknown or ignored, and I think it is pretty foolish of some to assume they are. While a missile might go into a box and then not be used for up to 10 years, most are returned to depots for repairs at one time of another. These missiles are not only upgraded with advertised 'block upgrades' or mods, but typically receive latest software updates as a matter of routine. Also the 'Vanishing Vendors' phenomenon occurs on all systems. This requires program offices to to find other suppliers to provide parts. When it comes to electronic components, that typically means more robustness and improved performance as well. The missile design does not stay static any more than the aircraft's.
Jun 14, 2013, 12:22:18 AM
Posted to The F-35 and the Infamous “Sustained G” Spec Change: Part 3