Forum: F-16 versus XYZ

Yeah...but Frence missiles are well known
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~steven/anti_ship.htm

F-16.net Sponsor

Some links for your viewing pleasure. Help you decide which missile are better.

Mica

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/mica.htm

Magic Link

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/miss ... /magic.htm

AIM-9

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/aim-9.htm

AIM-120

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/aim-120.htm

Well, after reading a little, as it turns out, the MICA and Magic missiles aren't that bad. But I still think that the American Sidewinder & AMRAAM are better. This match - up would be quite interesting indeed, but we all know the better pilot would win, simple as that. Smile

Anonymous wrote:

The SU-30 is the Russian version of the American F-15E, like the F-15E it is a two-seat multi mission aircraft, India already has it, Pakistan is trying to get it along with F-16s at the same time. The SU-35, and SU-37 will be there to counter the F-22, Rafale, Tyhpoon, etc

Actually, unless I am mistaken, you are talking about the Su 30 M and MK. If memory serves right, the Su-30 (also known as the Su-27 PU) is an air defence fighter, capable of flying up to ten hour missions and relaying info to other fighters via datalink. Russia has about 25 of these.

As for the Su-30 MKI, China is also buying it along with the licence. India is also buying the licence and plans to build about 140.

The Rafale facing off against the current F-16 blk52 is a tough scenario for the F-16. It is outclassed in every aspect. However, that will change shortly with the addition of the ATFLIR and the JHMCS/AIM9x. And if you compare the F-16 blk60 against the Rafale, I think the Rafale would have its hands full.

In the above mentioned scenario, the Rafale's had helmet mounted cueing and the F-16's didnt. A non-hmc fighter going against a hmc fighter is suicide in WVR combat.

I think that the IDFAF uses helmet mounted sights on all their planes so I guess it is possible to do the same thing with most F-16s available today.

But even so, whether we like it or not, the F-16 against a Rafale would be like a MiG-23 against an F-15. There's a chance the MiG would win, but not by much. A good controller in that AWACS might help... juz keep the viper driver out of sight until he can get a first shot on the Rafale.

So in other words, what most of ya'll are sayin' is that deciding edge in this battle would go to the plane with the helmet - mounted sight? So if the Falcon has a helmet - mounted sigh, maybe, but if not, game over for the Falcon.

Geez, if helmet - mounted sights are so important, why haven't they become standard? The obvious reason I guess would be money, but still, I'd rather get a helmet - mounted sight for my aircraft than risk losin' the whole thing, AND POSSIBLY MY LIFE, because of a lack of one, wouldn't ya'll agree?

The Rafale was initially made to be an advanced fighter which could counter the F-22, and Typhoon. The F-16 was initially made to be a low-cost high peformance fighter, see, these fighters are in different leagues.

Rafale prototype's first flight was in mid 1986, YF-22 first flight was not until 29 September 1990. Rafale, EAP (Typhoon prototype) and SAAB JA-39 were all efforts to counter continued F-16 sales in Europe in the mid 80s. The F-22 was still a glimmer in the Pentagon's eye back then. The ATF down-select to Lockheed and Northrop didn't even happen until late 1986 and it was still very much a black program at that time. No one, including Dassault, had a clue what an F-22 was when the Rafale and EAP were designed in the early 80s.

I was at Farnborough in 1986 and both the Rafale and the EAP were flying every day, trying to outdo each other on every flight.

I doubt that Rafale can ever dare against the F-22.

That may be true, but against an F-16, it should be a pretty even match.

So exactly how good is a Rafale? And cand the Rafale carry AIMs instead of the Mica and Magic? Which is the best:F-22/Rafale/Typhoon?

You kiddin' me? The Raptor would get on the tail of a Rafale or a Typhoon and start fillinf their tailpipes with IR missiles before the Rafale or Typhoon drivers even knew it was there.
Stealth is what makes the Raptor such a tough opponent. Unless you're very lucky or you have some really good equipment you just won't have a first shot capability.

I see... So what your are saying is that if the F-22 wasn't stealth it would be kind of crappy? And later versions or Rafale and Typhoon would have better technology?

Well, if the F/A-22 wasn't stealth, then the Rafale and the Eurofighter would definitely stand a better chance of shooting it down, especially with radar guided missiles. I mean, for a fighter, it's huge, just think of how big its RCS would have been if it had the same dimensions but wasn't stealth.
BTW does anybody know if the Rafale has a 'letter and number deisgnation like the EF-2000 and the F/A-22?

Forum: F-16 versus XYZ

F-16 versus Rafale