pfo wrote:Even third-generation? So even Mig 21 Bison (HMCS, AA-11) or Mig 21 Lancer (HMCS, Python-5) are dangerous for F-22 in WVR?
I think I read it on the Raytheon site in relation to the AIM-9X, but they said that an aircraft with a helmet mounted sight will defeat a similar aircraft without the helmet by a ratio of 50:1 in WVR dogfighting, surely this would bring less advanced aircraft within range of being a threat in a dogfight.
The idea is to not allow them to get to that situation. The F-22 still holds all the cards at long range and also on approach to the merge.
It is currently missing a few upgrades due to there being no urgent necessity. It doesn't require an IRST as there are no enemy stealth fighters to counter.
It doesn't need the side looking cheek arrays as there are no enemy stealth fighters and there's no threat that requires the F-22 to greatly reduce enemy a-pole range while it provides mid-course guidance to its shots.
It doesn't urgently require the helmet because currently there is no other aircraft fast enough and with good enough sensors that can force the F-22 into a close range fight (orders during exercises don't count).