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Originally Posted by TLAM Strike
Well I just read "Black Aces High" about a F-14A squadron in the Kosovo war and as it turned out it could do things the newer F/A-18 Hornets couldn't. Its FLIR (the TARPS system I think its called) system could locate targets and twice the distance. Now I doubt Iran has any TARPS pods laying around but the point is don't count out an old aircraft simply because its old, the F-14A did pretty damn good againt the folks who shot down the F-117. 
As for having or not having AIM-54 missiles I'm sure Iran could retorfit any of those long range suckers Russia sold them like the AA-9 or AA-6. Heck with its payload it would make a damn good bomber.
As for the JSF the F/A-35 and P-8 are proably the biggest mistakes the USN has made since canning Diesel Boats.  |
I'd have to disagree with you. The version of F/A-18C model that is being replaced is no where in the same league as the F-35. The F-35 beats it in every single catagory, especially range, stealth, and combat effectiveness. The F-35 also incorporates many of the F-22 technologies as well. F/A-18E basically replaced the F-14, and its got a built in FLIR that is many generations newer and much more finely detailed than its F-14 counterpart. The F/A-18C is being retired so the F-14 seems to have lost its last advantage when compared to the F/A-18E. Last but not least, the F/A-18E can carry a much larger payload than the F-14, adn only requires 20% of the maintenance. The F-14 required many ground hours in maintenance to keep it flying for every single flight hour. Its a resource pig.
The upgrades the Navy is doing is the best thing they can do in my opnion. ALl these antiquated aircraft need to be retired since they have outlived their usefullness.
-S