Forum: F-22A Raptor

How do you define Stealth A/C? You seem to refer to F-117, B-2, F-22, F-35. SR-71 was built with LO(at the time) and the B-1B has a fraction of the RCS something its size should have. Makes me think, if the B-70 and B-1A were nixed due to SAM advances, why not put a bomb bay in the YF-12(?). who cares if you get shot at when your that high/fast.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy for Russia to have produced LO prototypes, it shows they are still as advanced as many western nations even if they cant fund the production. All they need is money.

pak-fa won't be as good as russia says it will be

There is a 99% probability that will be true. If anything (assuming the PAK-FA or T-50 or whatever it's called is being developed and depending where in it's development stage it's at) they're no doubt experiencing first hand how difficult it is to develop a true 5th Gen fighter like the F-22 or F-35.

My personal opinion is, like several Russian fighters (if it ever materializes), will have a capability or two that will be very impressive.

However, developing a fighter integrating the 4 pillar of capabilities (stealth, supercruise speed, advanced integrated avionics/sensors, and super maneuverability) isn't easy huh Russia...or India...or Japan...

I read today that Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, will be ending production of the F-22. Click on the link:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... gD97D5UDO1

If memory serves me, I thought the F-22 was the best of the best. I read that although the plane was heavy, it is still very capable and perhaps untouchable. The Clinton admin cut the budget unfairly and I felt left us vulnerable on many accounts. Cost overruns in Washington happens all the time, but why would Gates want to cancel this incredible plane knowing it could prove invaluable should Russia get its newer planes out there?

Is the F-35 the next gen aircraft to the F-22 and is the F-35 a better aircraft? Why are we giving all these Nato allies, some of whom say unkind things about our nation from time to time, our F-35? With our sensitive technology constantly being breached by the Russians or the Chinese, should we feel comfortable even selling our planes to another nation when the threat of compromising its technology is real? Could we let our allies have our older, conventional planes which we could provide maintenance for? How far along are the Russians with their aircraft?

Since 911, we've known that we have to keep our defense strong and provide funding despite the darkness of recession and especially when the proliferation of terrorism around the globe is peaking. The Chinese have made no attempt to conceal their zeal to overpower us at sea as their recent pacific stunt demonstrates. Should we be worried about them in the air? It seems like just when we seem to be on top of the world in military tech, the budget won't allow the US to stay ahead.

Expect Chicom knock-offs of the F-35 in a few years.

I'd expect an F-22 knockoff long before an F-35 clone from the Chinese.

I read today that Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, will be ending production of the F-22. Click on the link:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... gD97D5UDO1

If memory serves me, I thought the F-22 was the best of the best. I read that although the plane was heavy, it is still very capable and perhaps untouchable. The Clinton admin cut the budget unfairly and I felt left us vulnerable on many accounts. Cost overruns in Washington happens all the time, but why would Gates want to cancel this incredible plane knowing it could prove invaluable should Russia get its newer planes out there?

Hadn't you heard? The Russians and Chinese have frozen all future tech developments and all future US conflicts will be against jihadis wearing flip flops driving 20 year old pick up trucks. We may even trade in our Navy and Air Force completely for a few more Army divisions armed with brand spanking new M16's and cool new combat boots and of course, nice new 4x4 pick up trucks to defeat the guys in the old pick up trucks. And of course we are gonna get rid of all those nasty nukes as well. No need to worry about China and Russia with it's thousands of nukes. They told us if we ditch ours, they will to. Gonna be such a nice world where we all *just get along*

F-22 Raptor = World's potentially largest distributor of Sukhoi parts!

Wrong!

The Russkies and Chicoms will be the most formidable duo ever to fight the United States.

F-22 Raptor = World's potentially largest distributor of Sukhoi parts!