Delete comment from: Elements Of Power
Hi Nuno
RE: During the 1970s the MiG-25 flew over Israel with impunity...only the F-15/Sparrow combo ended this.
I think you will find that the Russians flew the Recce Mig-25 over the Sinai and not Israel proper, and it was hardly with impunity after they did it the first time. If they had tried to fly it deeper into Israel, the Israeli's were ready with stripped down F-4s that could have caught it in a trap. They almost caught one when it was overflying the SInai, but it was too much of a tail chase to overcome. After that, the Israelis were ready to spring a trap when it took off, but the Egyptians took to escorting the -25 with a pair of Migs in front and behind until the -25 got its 'mojo' going. You are correct that an F-15 with the AIM-7Ms (or later AMRAAMs) would have stopped it cold. The MIg-25 was kicked out of Egypt the first time because the Soviets wouldn't train Egyptians or sell them any.
RE: Fast foward to today,Russian claim that the T-50 will fly at 65000ft and pilot will have a p-suit...
65K is the CLAIMED operational ceiling. But even if true, I doubt if the T-50 will fly there frequently as the Vne moves too close to the Vs. The T-50 at 65K would be flying like a U-2at altitude: balanced on a pin and no room for error. Pressure suits were purposely avoided in favor of the 'Combat Edge ensemble for the F-22 precisely because pilot fatigue and performance suffers too much if you get into a fight. The AF was willing to give up the extra altitude and let the missiles fly the last few of K feet up if neccessary.
RE: Can the F-35 with its 'F-16 like' performance deal with this threat?
I've addressed kinematics in my EM Backgrounder post (http://www.elementsofpower.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-backgrounder-on-energy-maneuverability.html) and I believe the F-35 at mid-mission weights and loadouts would fare well in a one v one fight, but in a many v. many fight the F-35 will dominate: due to better systems and pilot-vehicle interface giving the F-35 better situational awareness.
RE: -The main weapon of the JSF is the AIM-120 AMRAAM...a radar guided missile...
-Can it engage a VLO target with this weapon?
I believe the answer would be classified, but as there are no known Non-US all aspect VLO aircraft (I doubt Russia has one, and China MAY "field" one in future) the question really is: "Will the US have a missile for use against VLO aircraft when opponents field them?" I believe the answer is yes.
RE: We all know that both the F-15 and the F-22 can match the T-50 performance,but how will the F-35 deal with this?
By 'performance', if you mean maneuverability, I believe it already does by modern E-M standards. If you mean 'speed', then the 'ambush' and better CONOPs, training and weapons come into play.
I actually have an F-35 A2A 'what if' piece in the works, but it if I ever get around to finishing it, it will be after I finish this CAS myth edition set and a closing piece on how the F-35 might go about doing CAS better than any low and slow weapon system.
Sep 30, 2013, 10:04:59 PM
Posted to South Korea Passes on Dead Parrot