Another F-22 thread

[Captain Vlad]

Something I was wondering about while reading up on the whole '187 F-22's' thing...some USAF higher-ups have apparently supported Gates assertion that that's all we'll need, and while I'm aware that military folks tend to back up their superiors...the question I have is why?

By all reports, it's supposedly one of the greatest fighters ever built, and can more than fill the role of the F-15's it's slated to replace, right? Sure, we may not be in a conventional war right now. We may not be in one for quite some time, but the U.S. Military generally prefers to be prepared for one.

So the question that keeps rolling around in my head is this: Is there something wrong with the F-22? Or if there isn't, is it possible it's the pinnacle of a type of aircraft that the USAF upper management believes is about to become obsolete?

[Task Force]

I think that the f 22 will be replaced by something better soon... It is a good plane now.... but boeing, or lockheed, or some one will comeout with a new plane... and then they will be saying... I want that plane, I want that plane...

[Raptor1]

The F-22 is expensive...I think that pretty much covers it ...

Originally Posted by Raptor1

The F-22 is expensive...I think that pretty much covers it ...

With an administration which thinks butter is better than guns. That is the answer.

I'm sure I saw this before...the Carter Administration. Clinton wasn't much better.

Either the US will be seen as strong or week, and much of it depends who is president. Where do you think the US stands now?

[Zachstar]

What is "Wrong" With the F-22 is the simple fact that at best it is a replacement for the F-15C not the E

What I mean by that is it is a defensive weapon by nature. It carries good but few missiles and by far the worst is its ability to only drop 2 ground weapons.

Granted Granted it was not built for such. It was built to thwart any attempt of a soviet air invasion of our allies or ourselves. But the F-22 cant do jack against people with IEDs. Where drones have such a advantage multiplier it is not even funny.

The F-22 is the last major air combat fighter the F-35 will do better as the F-16s replacement. And its in a position to sell a great many to allied nations. But both can be overwhelmed by masses of drones which we will see as we approach the 2030s and possibly sooner.

So it suffers at both ends. Until the drones it wont be much needed. After the drones they can use group tactics to defeat its stealth capabilities and trash it (You kill 5 of the flock the other 20 are still after you)

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

The F-22 is expensive...I think that pretty much covers it ...

Exactly. The F-22 has one and only one major fault: its price tag.

As far as USAF higher-ups siding with Gates, all those things are usually a result of backroom politics inside the Pentagon. The USAF brass probably realized that Gates' decision is final, so they decided to back him up to stay in his good graces, in the hope that he'll give them more money for other stuff later on.

Remember, what happens inside the Pentagon is never about keeping our country safe. It's always about getting the most money for your service and your program.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Max2147

Remember, what happens inside the Pentagon is never about keeping our country safe. It's always about getting the most money for your service and your program.

Sad but true words.

[Zachstar]

Which is why it is very important to support the work going on in the nonmilitary sector that may help the military sector one day.

Universities all over the nation are developing tech that will mean cheaper components for advanced craft for the military in the future.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

The F-22 is expensive...I think that pretty much covers it ...

What he said. The Air Force needs more money since it doesn't have enough money already. America is going broke, and the F-22 is just the tip of the iceberg.

-S