On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 08:23:04 -0700, Henry J Cobb wrote:

Ed Rasimus wrote:

The F/A-18 can't outperform the F-16 or F-15C in the A/A mission and
it can't out-lift/out-deliver the F-15E in A/G, so why would anyone
suggest adding a new system to the inventory?

Because it has 90 percent common parts with the only jammer aircraft in
development in the United States.

Which makes the assumption that commonality with "the only jammer
aircraft" is desireable. Or maybe that a tactical platform for jamming
is necessary and the only alternative.

But the Air Force has concluded that they don't need jamming.

I don't know a basis for that asserted conclusion. Electronic warfare
is a continually evolving business. Stand-off jamming is only one
aspect. Self-protection jamming has been a more effective choice for
the USAF. Pods are suitable for multiple-aircraft types and can be
quickly updated or replaced with newer models. A dedicated jamming
aircraft doesn't offer that flexibility.

By the time they get there the Navy will have already flattened the
enemy air defenses. ;-)

Wasn't that way in my experience. And, how will the Navy get there
without large tanker support? Most of the world's land mass is
unreachable by carrier based aircraft without refueling.

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8