PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
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Old 4th Sep 2016, 12:59
  #9718 (permalink)  
MSOCS
 
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Ah, the old conundrum, per Cold War then: they'll never attack us so why bother! Sadly we need full-spectrum capabilities for self-assurance so that argument fortunately never takes hold with those who have a responsibility to protect.

You assert that Russian/Chinese stealth is equitable to F-22/F-35. That, again, is a bold statement. There are physical aspects in the pictures of both J-20 and T-50 that tell me they are reduced signature compared to Mig X and Su-Y, but perhaps not true LO or VLO. Whether that reduced signature can be maintained, relatively cheaply in-Service ("supportable"), is also another consideration of importance.

Beyond this, we seem to have little debate on the tactics and training either "side" employs for these latest capabilities. The USA are THE global experience in the 'operationalising' stealth in combat aircraft.
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