PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - So what is the case for supersonics in a tactical aircraft?
Old 27th Mar 2011, 13:21
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Fox3WheresMyBanana
 
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As an ex-Tornado F3 driver..
No current aircraft on ingress is going very supersonic with bombs on, but on egress the SS capability makes the front aspect geometry harder. It also makes them very much harder to chase down; costs much more fuel & time for the interceptor, and engagement ranges are shorter. Not being able to run from interceptors, bombs or not, would be a worry for AV-8B if our interceptors didn't ensure none of their fighters got close.
The F3 went for the compromise of long loiter + SS dash, at the cost of sustained turn and high level cruise, which was fine against a bomber, or low level fighter/bomber threat.
No-one with half a brain turns more than 90 degrees in combat anyway - the unseen guy gets you right after your kill. Point, shoot, scoot.
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