In article , "rstro"
wrote:

Good point--but as you mentioned--all AirForces with Point Defense" in
mind---these contrysd are not into power projection and "reaching out and
touching someone"---look at the sit in Afganistan---the Hornet cannot reach
target without refueling multiple times and carries have the bomb
load---seems to me if we can keep a 50 years platform(The Buff) affordable
and mantainable--we could do it on the Cat----

Major, major differences in flight profile and therefore airframe stress.

Like comparing a long-haul 18 wheeler with a short track race car.
The race car takes a tremendous beating everytime it goes out.
The 18 wheeler is in a much more benign environment.

(Although I do have a through-the-cockpit photo of a Buff in low
level training in Tenessee(?). I don't think they even train for that
mission anymore.)

--
Harry Andreas
Engineering raconteur