Forum: F-22A Raptor

Solano wrote:

I'm trying to figure out where the big parallels might be in terms of release

The only thing I can think of is that they both designed with Col. John Boyd's energy maneuvering theory as a primary element.

Adrian

F-16.net Sponsor

In what individual's brain was the Raptor born? Was it one of the Acolytes or somehow affiliated with the Fighter Mafia? Is it possible that the F-16 could live a long life in spite of the fifth generation, like the BUFF that keeps on going, and going, and going, and going...... Rolling Eyes

Ive noticed that a couple of you have said that the F-16 was not designed as a Multirole fighter this is incorrect the air craft was meant to have a heavy payload and a huge A/G capability. But back on topic i agree with "tenqunohi" with comparing more to the F-35 even though the Air Force has redecided on replacing the Viper

i actually made a bad assumption as well the viper actually was designed as a light weight day fighter not a multirole that configuration didnt come until later

Yeah... if you can see it.

Personally I don't see any parallels between the F-16 versus the F-22 but, I see a lot of parallel between the F-22 and the F-14 Tomcat and to a lesser extent to the F-15 Eagle.
All three projects had congress screaming about the cost. Threatening to reduce the production run because the aircraft are so high in price the programs were unaffordable. In the cases of the F-14 and F-15 there was no serious discussion on speeding up the production rate or second sourcing the production. Two things that are readily done in private industry.
The LWF Mafia was able to convince congress that a small, lighweight daylight fighter far less compex was the solution.

The real difference is that the F-14A and F-15A came along during the Cold War and the country not afford to not purchase the numbers needed. In essence, the national will was there!

The Soviet Union -the ultimate "boogieman" already had the MiG.-23, MiG.-25 in production and, more MiG.-21's than the total number of the other two MiG. products. Air superiority (as we now know it) could have not been achieved with the numbers of MiG. plus their quality of performance gave the WP the aerial battle edge. The Soviet Navy had bunches of Bear bombers that could carry anti-ship cruise missiles, which endangered the CVBG. The only real solution to the problem was the F-14A/Phoenix Missile combination. The F-15 was badly needed over Europe to give the West the edge that was needed for air superiority.

Now, without the Cold War going on the West has lost its compass on logical priorities. Giving the Soviet Navy money to clean up the obsolete nuclear sub's nuclear waste, leaving the Russians to develope newer more quiet subs.
Western investors investing money in Mikoyan and Sukhoi aircraft companies, so the companies can remain profitable!! Meanwhile these companies are designing world class aircraft.
Stop and think about it, the Su-27 went into production less than two years before the USSR went bankrupt. Yet since then have developed a whole host of new aircraft so their aircraft industry can remain (relatively) state of the art in generation 4.5 aircraft.

The basic hostility is still there. Yetsin and clinton (maybe even bush and Putin) might see or have seen eye to eye on many issues but, the Duma nor the Congress did not see eye to eye. Neither country has changed its foreign policy. All the problems which caused conflict between the two countries is still there. It is just one country currently is unable to challenge the other due to financial constraints.

Adrian

Forum: F-22A Raptor

F-16 vs. F-22 History: Are there any parallels?