"F-35 Test Flight Deemed a Success"

On Tue, 09 Jan 2007 02:43:01 GMT, "Ski"
wrote:


"TV" wrote in message ...
The stealth that we have now still ain't enough - and it will take a whole
lot of new stuff to deal. But like everything else and as I said before,
if you start targeting the SAM operators and their mothers they get a
quick change in attitude fast so we could asymmetrically, as they say, add
some diddles to the equation. It is perhaps then a "full spectrum" fight
(stealing from the Army)

The B-2, F-117, and F-22 already give a tremendous first day stealth
capability, especially with precision stand-off munitions. Enough to take
out any 3rd world and their SAMs. Especially given Weasel countermeasures.
As far as I know, SAMs are still highly allergic to anti-radiation missiles!
In my fictitious China/Russia scenario, there would be many more elements
besides airplanes targeting SAMs! UAVs, cruise missiles, special ops, etc.
Finally, Russian SAMs might be very good (who knows until they're used in
battle?), but I'm betting most of their for-sale operators aren't.

Not sure what 1st day stealth means any more, but for sure the standoff weapons play a big role but on the other side of the coin if the enemy invests in a proper IADS there should be enough overlap that soner or later numbers come up and bite you again - so knocking down your air force and Navy from 30 to 40 wings to less then half that number implies that you are getting down to the fine line. UAV's are likewise nice but stealth UAV's are big projects (my like of moving JSF to manned and unmanned options) and on and on. Price tag is enormous - we need to spend it - but think about all the choices and schedules that must be made to accurately define where we want to go on this. But as you suggest it must be done and I agree.

First day stealth becomes critical especially when dealing with a
"proper IADS". That's when they are most firmly "integrated" and with
the most efficient command/control. If you can penetrate in those
conditions, then it gets easier every time after that. (BTDT)

After day one, you've got pretty updated intel on site locations.
You've got improved order-of-battle data with system types and numbers
validated. You've got better ELINT with freqs, systems,
counter-measures data. You've also degraded comm links, significantly
raised the fear quotient of the operators and hopefully, destroyed a
lot of the rolling stock.

Reduction in force in terms of total operational wings is significant,
but must be evaluated in terms of form of threat (non-traditional
Jihadists take a whole different structure than the Soviet hordes
did.)

Use of UAVs in decoy, ECM, recce, and surveillance roles is a huge
force multiplier, even if you don't get to things like an unmanned
full-scale system that could deliver heavy iron.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com