[PH-LKK]

Originally Posted by jjgilz

I'm not a fighter guy so FVD might be able to provide a better perspective. However, I was an Aero Engr major back in the day. The technology displayed at airshows is just one aspect of an aircraft's performance. Standoff is the real impressive factor of the latests fighters...one that an airshow can't really demostrate. The thinking is that if you actually have to visually engage these days, then you've already lost. Granted newer fighters like the F-22 and F-35 have tremendous performance characteristics but that doesn't fully justify their costs. Powerful aircraft have been around since the late '50s. The latest generation of fighters true value (and costs) come from their stealth properties, advanced radar, supercruise capability, C2 suite and standoff ability.

Take Care!
Jeff

Bear in mind that visual confirmation of the target will likely continue to be an important element of our rules of engagement, particularly where we are acting in congested airspace, and particularly where civilian aircraft are likely to be operating. I'm not thinking about the knock-down drag-out total war of the sort fought in Iraq, but rather of the occassional airspace dispute along the lines witnessed in the Gulf of Sidra (in 1989), or the South China Sea incident (in 2001). Still, even if we're talking about close-in knife fights, how relevant is slow-flight maneuvering performance? Do these guys drop to airshow speeds when engaged in visual combat? Anybody? (Really, I'm just curious.)