tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post113336570448784095..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: TopgunsGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1133422983134521782005-12-01T02:43:00.000-05:002005-12-01T02:43:00.000-05:00spook86, your comments re the F/A-22 to date have ...spook86, your comments re the F/A-22 to date have been quite illuminating to me, in that I had originally questioned the value of pursuing air superiority fighter aircraft in a post Cold-War world (where the biggest strategic threat these days comes from explosives transported by car or person). However, I now see the light of being prepared against the Asian Tiger of the 21st century, which is China. Good work on your part, indeed.<BR/><BR/>What these MSM wankers don't seem to understand is that by pitting old combat aircraft against the IAF SU-27's actually kills several birds with one proverbial stone:<BR/><BR/>* It demonstrates that air superiority by an enemy is possible if the USAF gets too cocky and assumes its entire inventory is better than CIS export technology;<BR/><BR/>* It highlights the need for ongoing research in combat aviation tactics and technology (again, not resting on one's laurels, because although Russia may be in financial straits, it can still develop military aircraft that is quite advanced); and,<BR/><BR/>* It also demonstrates what is possible if China ever gets its act together and fields a fighter fleet manned by well-trained pilots.<BR/><BR/>I am also reminded that someone once compared USAF dependence on low inventory, high technology, to German Luftwaffe strategy in WWII - and that the USAAF won the day as much by raw attrition as anything else (not denigrating the abilities of our pilots of the day; but rather, that numbers and combat experience overwhelmed a smaller force).<BR/><BR/>For example, can you imagine if a real war broke out (full scale, with China) and one or more B-2's were shot down? Or if a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier were to be sunk? In both cases, the loss of those expensive, difficult-to-build assets would be irreplaceable.<BR/><BR/>Wanna bet that thought keeps Rummy awake at night...?Wanderlusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06552045133035246679noreply@blogger.com