WEBF,
I've read many of Nozzles posts. Clearly he has first hand experience of operating the SHAR. I do not. However, I do have experience of the wider C2 picture, and of working as a Liaison Officer in the Vicenzia CAOC during the Balkans conflicts various. I've tasked and been involved in the employment of virtually every NATO ac type in service, and seen how flexible and how useful different aircraft are.
It is only natural that nozzles defends his ac. Just as Navy News articles will always place a very one sided view.
But I stand by my comments: SHAR FRS1 or FA2 contributed very little.
Jacko,
WRT use of short range vice BVR AAMs during recent conflicts, modern ROE often palces the emphasis upon AMRAAM. Experience from OAF (where all kills were AMRAAM), and more recent ops in Afganistan and Iraq reinforce this. However, the SHAR cannot employ the missile in the same way as an F-15 or F-16. As I say, I believe that AMRAAM is a loss for the fleet, the SHAR is not.
Regards,
M2