 | Less competent carrier planes| Modern Discuss Less competent carrier planes in the Other Eras forums; Originally Posted by renrich
Flyboy, how do you feel about the "hover" requirement for the Marines in the ... |
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03-27-2007, 09:16 PM
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#16 | | IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO
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Originally Posted by renrich  Flyboy, how do you feel about the "hover" requirement for the Marines in the JSF? Has the Harrier been a competent and cost effective a/c for the US? | One of my best friends was involved in the electrical design of the X-35 and is now working on the first F-35. The lift fan is revolutionary. I got to see the first conventional flight as well as the first hover and I was thoroughly impressed. According to what some of my friend's work counterparts said in the hover mode, the X-35 was easier to fly than the Harrier and an RAF pilot flew her as well with the same opinion.
The Harrier served the US Marines well although there was a high attrition rate. The Harrier was/ is a revolutionary aircraft and with any revolutionary aircraft there comes risk. I think the F-35 mitigates that risk by taking the technology first derived in the Harrier to the next level.
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03-27-2007, 09:36 PM
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#17 | | aka Dickcheese
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State
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Country: | The F/A-18E/F with AESA is being touted as the bridge between F-22/F-35. With sensor integration, look down/shoot down capability with small stealthy platforms and AESA capabilities allowing infiltration, manipulation and subterfuge...how can it miss. Recently the E/F underwent stealth upgrades such as absorbant coatings, intake screens and empenage changes. AIM-120 C-6 and C-7 will allow cruise missile defense in head on situations and high-G terminal maneuvers at 100m ranges. AESA will allow detection at 250nm ranges with narrow beam operation and AEW of even AWACS platforms at about same.
Compare this to traditional F-15C with 100nm radar ranges! And wait until AIM-120D!
Don't underestimate the F-18 platform. You will see this bird on the books for the next 20-30 years at least. 
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03-27-2007, 10:53 PM
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#18 | | Senior Member
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Originally Posted by Matt308 Don't underestimate the F-18 platform. You will see this bird on the books for the next 20-30 years at least. | Thanks Matt. Nobody seems to give the F/A-18's enough credit. The E/F models are especially potent warbirds. All most people seem to focus on are the sexy maneuvers performed by Russian stunt planes. Aerobatics won't win wars.
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03-28-2007, 04:36 PM
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#19 | | Senior Member
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Country: | Much obliged to all of you well informed gentlemen. Not that it matters but I now feel our carriers are much more capable. "If you want peace you must prepare for war." | |
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03-28-2007, 08:20 PM
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#20 | | Senior Member
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Originally Posted by renrich Much obliged to all of you well informed gentlemen. Not that it matters but I now feel our carriers are much more capable. "If you want peace you must prepare for war." | You better freakin believe it.  No other navy or naval aviation force can mass the sort of firepower as the USN, or even come close.
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03-29-2007, 11:08 AM
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#21 | | Senior Member
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Originally Posted by mkloby Thanks Matt. Nobody seems to give the F/A-18's enough credit. The E/F models are especially potent warbirds. All most people seem to focus on are the sexy maneuvers performed by Russian stunt planes. Aerobatics won't win wars. | I think it's just that most people (myself included) are bitter about the Tomcat retiring. The F/A-18 has some big shoes to fill and it seems to be doing it rather nicely. I was particularly impressed with the new model performing as a tanker. Not to mention all the combat upgrades and all that 
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Matt | |
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03-29-2007, 11:14 AM
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#22 | | Der Crewchief
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Country:  | Why be bitter about it. It was time. The F-14 was an aging aircraft and hard to maintain. A friend that I flew with in the Army was a former F-14 mechanic and he said they were hard to keep flying.
Nothing lasts forever, why be bitter about it?
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03-29-2007, 11:21 AM
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#23 | | Senior Member
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Country:  | I like the F-18, I see them flying around Wpg often. Very solid planes.
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03-29-2007, 01:59 PM
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#24 | | aka Dickcheese
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State
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Country: | And the most impressive solo performance that I have ever seen was at McChord AFB by a Canadian CF-18. Stole the show!
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03-29-2007, 02:05 PM
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#25 | | Senior Member
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Originally Posted by Matt308 And the most impressive solo performance that I have ever seen was at McChord AFB by a Canadian CF-18. Stole the show! | Yes I have seen them do some impressive things also.
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03-29-2007, 02:26 PM
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#26 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montrose, Colorado
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Country: | The other thing that hurts about the F14 going away is that now since very early in carrier aviation, there are no Grumman fighters flying or Voughts either for that matter. | |
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03-29-2007, 03:06 PM
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#27 | | Senior Member
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Originally Posted by renrich The other thing that hurts about the F14 going away is that now since very early in carrier aviation, there are no Grumman fighters flying or Voughts either for that matter. | I have to agree with you on that point...The Grumman Iron Works has enjoyed a rich and proud history with the USN. However, Northrop Grumman will still provide many sensors and weapons...But, here's the deal: once you
'exit' the business as prime builder, given the complexity of today's aircraft,
you could not afford to return short of acquiring or merging with a company
that still has an active design and manufacturing progam, and paying contracts... | |
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03-29-2007, 03:13 PM
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#28 | | aka Dickcheese
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State
Posts: 10,487
Country: | I once had the family tree of all WWI and WWII aerospace manufacturing companies and how they have merged. It was published in AvWeek about 10 years ago. Wish I still had it. Quite fascinating really.
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"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan Master of Duplicate Posts | |
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03-29-2007, 04:01 PM
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#29 | | Senior Member
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Country: | The history of aviation though relatively short is rich in all countries. Fascinating to read about. As was said though the number of companies that have the ability to build aircraft today grows shorter every year. I also am afraid that the era of the manned aircraft is drawing to a close particularly in military aviation. A number of years ago I went to a fly in of Beechcraft Staggerwings in of all places Gunnison, CO. I have photographs somewhere of that. There must have been at least a dozen there at one time. What a sight. | |
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03-30-2007, 02:33 PM
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#30 | | aka Dickcheese
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State
Posts: 10,487
Country: | Beech Staggerwing. An art deco classic.
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"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
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Marines don't have that problem."
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