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The Soviet tried to have a 7:1 ratio at key locations. If the cold war did become hot, NATO would have had it's hands full. With the lack of spare parts like canopies, The F16 and F15 would have been hard press to control the skies for a prolong period. I will let you guess what our computer projections were.
DBII
A very good example out of many I think is the Foxbat / F-15 project. The F-4, and F-111 were better than anything the Russians had and the US congress wasn't very willing to allocate the necessary budget for the F-15,16 and 18….. until the Foxbat "arrived" in Japan. Even though much later published reports regarding the inspection of the Mig25 which showed the inferiority of this a/c to the existing NATO a/c, I still remember how this Mig25 was forwarded, published as theeee super, high-tech and potentially dangerous Russian a/c that no Western a/c could match (heaviest argument was the speed of the Mig25).
Regards
Kruska
Hello HealzDevo,
I would say you are certainly correct on your assumption, what I was trying to forward, is that the western equipment in the 70's could have easily topped the Russians until early 1990. I think since the early 80's air superiority was mastered by onboard radar, AWACS and missiles and not much if not to say not at all by maneuverability or speed of an aircraft.
So in my opinion even an present F-4 or F-14 from the 70's could still match an SU27/33 or MiG 27 in that criteria, and due to missile and radar technology it would even outfight these 90's or 00's eastern aircraft.
Regards
Kruska
Well...
The F-4 had trouble in Vietnam against the MiGs and only superior pilot training made the difference. The Phantom is certainly at a disadvantage against a Fulcrum or Flanker. Plus the helmet mounted sight and the Archer missile. To dismiss Soviet technology as rubbish didn't do the Isrealis any good in 1973.
Todays Fulcrums and Flankers would be as good as you want and only the Raptor would have the edge.
That is what the aircraft industry wants you to believe.
The F-4's didn't have any trouble by the time the Vietnam war was ending. A helmet mounted sight has nothing to do with the aircraft itsself, neither does any archer missile, you could fit that onto a F-101, A-4, or F-5 any time.
No Russain aircraft was ever a threat to the IAF, not in 1973 not now.
The only thing that matters is the Radar signature, EM emission-hiding/overriding, Antenna positioning and Radar tracking capability + a good missile.
Even a F-4G could match a Raptor, not economicaly/per flying hour but on interception terms. Present RASIGMA II improvments make a Tornado even more effective then a Raptor or F-35 or Eurofighter.
The problem for the aircraft industry is that a RASIGMA feature costs about 2-4 million $ per a/c - nothing compared to selling/promoting a Raptor, F-35 or a Eurofighter.
So what makes you think that a MiG29 or Su27 would be superior against a GAF F-4G? The sales brochures?
Regards
Kruska
It was the SAM missile threat that did the IAF during the Yom Kippor war.
Yes, and by simply showing the cold side of the aircraft, or underflying the Radar the "dreadfull" SAM's were put out of action.
F-15 pilots were told both in Iraq and Serbia...do not dogfight with a Mig-29...
Maybe in Pilot fantasy magazines, the avarage distance for MiG 29 kills was tracking ident 67km, Dot plotting intercept 57km, Radar clouding 55km, 2nd reasure ident 37km, missile launch 28km, who needs a dogfight nowadays?
Hello Henk,
Wow, thanks a lot for that fantastic link.
Do you have any good info on the Impala's, I always liked this kind of a/c - simple - rugged - performing on the job.
Even amazing that most of the Impalas were flown by retired or civil reservists who kicked Cuban buts. If someone wouldn't have stashed his pockets, the Cheetah would still be the runner up instead of Saab.
On the public forum I wouldn't be able to tell you much but maybe you want to refer to: http://www.aero-microwave.com/Files/2005-ETTC - Antenna Pattern Measurements.pdf
Fritzel and Steiner I know quite well, for more info try EADS and then search for RaSigma, but it will be very difficult/impossible to find details. If you put RaSigma5 and a Cheetah together you would easily have the worlds best fighter/fighterbomber - forget the F-22 just good looks and a lot of propaganda - it wouldn't stand a chance.
The US, Russia and China are exteeeemly interested in this.
Regards
Kruska
The rules of engagement needed confirmation of enemy in case you brought down a friendly. Therefore you have to get an eyeball on the jet. And a dogfight begins...
No problem mate.
Here is a link for the Impala.
IPMS South Africa - Impala Mk1 Mk2 - Classic Italian design.
Yes the Cheetah is a great aircraft and it was retired way before it's time, but the ANC government wants it that way so who are the rest to complain.
Who's rules? the USAF? For this ID problem you have a "window" system - not PC windowsyou can also call it a "time, air space sectional" system.
There is absolutly no need nowadays to ID an a/c by visual confirmation - it is however done in peacetimes to ensure the savety for "irregular" civilian a/c - not in a war.
Regards
Kruska