Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
related
http://defense-and-freedom.blogspot.de/2011/08/analysis-of-late-propeller-era-combat.html
It's a take on the subject of late propeller era military aircraft definition that's looking at the options, which were dead ends and how the concepts competed.
It does mention that agility is both relevant for offence and defence, though one kind fo agility may be less suitable for one than for the other. This is still relevant, as dodging incoming missiles is still feasible (= shrinks their effective engagement envelope). This is rarely mentioned, while classic plane vs. plane manoeuvres (which are very different) and the role a helmet sight and 360° missile launch capability play get more published attention.
The same applies to radar signature reduction: In the end, it may be most valuable against the tiny missile seeker radars, not for keeping the vehicle hidden to all OPFOR. That would likely fail at least over hostile (peer) terain.
Warships are unable to hide from radars completely (even their bow waves are visible to radars!), still they get radar signature reduction designs. Me thinks this is about the tiny missile radar seekers as well.
Aug 19, 2015, 2:14:35 AM
Posted to “Fighter Aircraft” Design Part 2: Driven by Operational Requirements