19 Jun 2005, 10:30
Back to the EF vs. the Raptor: The Raptor wins in every category that exists. BVR: no contest, stealth and a greater capability to supercruise put the Raptor far ahead - now, if the shi! really hits the fan and they have to merge: the EF has a tremendous instantaneous and sustained turn rate - possibly equal to what the Raptor can do - but no one really knows, and if they do know and are saying it here, the OSI will be all over their A$$. Based on the wing loading and thrust of the two jets, the EF would probably have the advantage, but with TV in the equation, I can't imagine the Raptor wouldn't be able to slow down and turn inside the EF without trouble. Think about the size of the wing on the Raptor, it's HUGE!!! If you put TV on a wing like that, it's slow speed handling characteristics would be off the charts. Add that to JHMCS and the AIM-9X.... and it's scary....
Break Break - Off Topic, but here goes: Does the WVR performance numbers matter that much anymore? Can you outmaneuver an AIM-9X, or ASRAAM, or Pyhton IV, or IRIS-T? I sure as he!! wouldn't want to merge with somebody that has those capabilities. Does A/C performance really matter anymore? Can a better performing A/C defeat the newest IR missiles? I pose the question.