Military Hardware Thread [Split]

[niky]

Actually (bwisit... Late na ako sa argument na ito!) what we DO need, we already have.

The F5 is the most cost-effective modern jet fighter. They use them in Top Gun because they're highly maneuverable and are some of the best dogfighting aircraft still flying. Northrop makes some excellent aircraft, but they have been unfairly beaten at competitions for USAF contracts for two of their recent developments, the F20 Tigershark and the F23 fighter (Lockheed won with the F22).

We could use the F18 if the NS Navy decommissioned some. Good reliability, terrific dogfighting AND bomb-carrying capabilities, and it can dogfight successfully on a full ordnance load (two F18 pilots gunned down Iraqi fighters while carrying over 2000 lbs of bombs, and STILL had enough fuel to complete their bombing run). The F20 would be even better. In the time it takes an F16 to warm up and taxi for takeoff, the F20 would already be at 12-20,000 feet, at fighting altitude.

MiGs would be a good, cheap alternative, but you'll get what you pay for. Cheap planes. F5s really are the best compromise, and there's a reason so many Air Forces are still using them.

But in terms of what we REALLY need in the Airforce... we should get some piston powered fighter/bombers with good low-speed cruising abilities (better for ground support)... or Burt Rutan's Mudfighter, if he ever pushes through with it... $1million dollars for a subsonic jetfighter with low maintenance costs and rugged design... too bad he never sold it...