Another "praise the Raptor" article

[H60Gunner]

I saw an F-22 in the flesh for the first time last summer at an airshow here locally.

If I had NOT been at an airshow, I would have sworn up and down that thing was an alien space craft. It defies all laws of physics, does things an aircraft should not be able to do. They did a 2 a/c break over the spectators with an F-15 and an F-22. The F-22 was on the F-15 before it completed it's turn from the break. The damn thing hovers! Some awesome engineers built that fvcker!

 

[Raptor2216]

Too bad the ruskies can do the same stuff at a fraction of the price....save stealth.

Cheap ain't always better...especially when it comes to something that is flying.

 

[MPH]

Too bad the ruskies can do the same stuff at a fraction of the price....save stealth.

It's not really the same stuff then is it?

 

[Lawman]

Too bad the ruskies can do the same stuff at a fraction of the price....save stealth.

Considering how tough the typical Sovi.... I mean Russian Military Unit has maintaining its self in regards to servicability do you really think adding the complexity of a multi-axis thrust vectored engines to the mix is going to help matters any.

 

[Hozer]

It seems the real capability is the stuff you don't see on the Raptor. That Data Link for example...

 

[FLYTPAY]

I was behind a section of Raptors in the GCA box....we will leave it at that

 

[JustAGuy]

Too bad the ruskies can do the same stuff at a fraction of the price....save stealth.

Ok, I will give them that they can do the airshow "ooooo...ahhhh" stuff well, but as far as in a fighting role? To quote Jules, it...

...ain't the same ******' ballpark, it ain't the same league, it ain't even the same ******' sport.

 

[C420sailor]

It seems the real capability is the stuff you don't see on the Raptor. That Data Link for example...

An F-22 flew into ISP on Long Island last year for an airshow, so I drove to the airport to see if I could chat with the demonstration team and check out the bird. The pilot was out doing lunch, but one of the maintainers gave me a private tour of the aircraft, inside and out. He was a great guy---he spent a good 45 minutes of his time talking about it. You could tell he was very proud. It truly is an incredible machine. When he explained the data link capabilities, I called bullshit. It sounded like science fiction stuff---but it isn't. Unreal.

Will the F/A-35 have the same electronic capabilities?

 

[Lawman]

Maybe not, but chances are good they will sell them to China.

Let them. AMRAAM dont care if your plane does cool airshow menuvers.

 

[HackerF15E]

Neither does an R-77. It's just hard for me to justify the price tag. Of course it's an unbelievable machine, but I mean come on!

Come on what?

Have you ever fought one?

I have...and it is an absolutely phenomenal piece of machinery.

If we ever have to go against the Hordes with Eagles and Vipers, it is going to be an affair where both sides take significant losses.

With the Raptor, it is not even a close ballgame. I've participated in more than one Eagle v Raptor fight -- where the Eagles have a SIGNIFICANT numerical advantage -- where the Eagles literally did not ever see the Raptors coming (sts) until they were declared dead by Showtime.

Is it really all that expensive? Or, are you willing to trade 3 or 4 or 5 Eagle, Hornet, or Viper pilots' lives for a cheaper airplane?

 

[HackerF15E]

All I'm saying is that we don't need a bugatti to out race an altima.

And which Flanker model is it that is an Altima? Which SA-10, SA-12, or SA-20 is it that we can scoff?

Hell, even MiG-21s are toting AA-12s these days. If you've ever been to a Red Flag or any other giant LFE, you know that any jet can pop up just about anywhere once the initial push happens.

It's dangerously arrogant to think that the US is *so* good at our job that we can do it with second rate equipment. We're not quite there yet, but given how long lead time is for new aircraft acquisition if we don't buy something NOW it will be 20 more years until we get a replacement. Eagles and Hornets will be 40+ years old then.

I'm betting that if it was your pink butt on the east side of the Taiwan Straights staring down a wall of Flankers, you'd think differently.

 

[MPH]

Too bad the ruskies can do the same stuff at a fraction of the price....save stealth.

Neither does an R-77. It's just hard for me to justify the price tag. Of course it's an unbelievable machine, but I mean come on!

Are you serious, or just playing the fool?

You argue the price tag for the stealth capabilities is far too high, and you seem to agree that when the balloon goes up, the only thing that matters is your ability to win.

But you've cited the example of a Russian missile that depends upon... RADAR?!?!

Really?

 

[bunk22]

All I'm saying is that we don't need a bugatti to out race an altima. No one is arguing that the raptor doesn't dominate. As for the cost/life, someone has to draw the line somewhere. If that ratio were strictly how the military operated things would be a lot different. Certainly the edge we have enjoyed needs to be maintained but, at what cost? Where is that line drawn? What if the raptor was 1 billion a copy?

I'm in no way arguing against the importance of this bird, but I know you understand what I'm saying.

Edit: I have a feeling I'm going to get railed for this.

Yeah, you're about to get it. The problem with these threads is that they often turn into opinion threads about capabilities and such about the aircraft. Nothing wrong with guys like Hacker offering his opinion being he fly'e the pointy nose aircraft and has experience with it. The problems arise when ass jockey's like yourself offer your two cents when you've got no experience, no background, no nothing. Want to say it's too expensive, fine. Want to be wowed by the video, sure. However, don't talk about missiles, capability's, etc, because be assured wannabe, you know exactly jack shit when it comes to this. No need to offer a rebuttle or even a little sorry response. Anything smart-ass comes out, you'll take a seat on the bench for while. Some things are best left unsaid.

 

[Leviticus]

Job 13:5 "oh that you would shut your mouth and that would be your wisdom." I realize my mistakes of decontextualization and appropriation, but I saw it appropriate, at least for a laugh.

 

[fastnumber15]

Does not matter. We will all be "flying" UAV's anyway.