Hi,
Hi,
For that very reason---the USAF has gone extensively for the BVR trucks---.
One thing about the US military is that it understands its limitations in an arena very well---it also understands how to manipulate its strengths and enemy's weaknesses to its advantage---.
So---basically there would be no pitched battles between the F22's and other aircraft.
If the F22 won't find advantage in a fight---it would disappear before appearing---means---it would be gone before it is seen---. Enemy would not know that the F22 was there---.
I believe that the USAF has extensively studied the battle tactics of Subotai Bahadur and has implemented them as well---.
Interesting thought. Mongols were masters of that. But I'd dare to disagree. USAF, no doubt a great outfit, but an outfit nevertheless. One that has some fundamental flaws and has been shown to be mortal both in the Korean and Vietnamese war.
And they aren't the masters of learning by synthesis either - their combat record between Korea and Vietnam decreased alarmingly. 2:1 was what they were brought to in Vietnam.
In the US, the army is dumb, the air force is deceitful and the navy is dishonest. This is a saying in the beltway, at least when I was there.
The biggest issue is an organization theory problem - they are essentially a fighter pilot mafia. Or a fighter pilot union. This, along with imperial arrogance and hubris has been a major dent in their capability.
Combine that with the duopoly of LM and Boeing and you have the worst of both worlds - the corruption and overpricing of a free-market monopoly, and the red-tape and dirty games of a bureaucracy.
A nazi corporatist system that has the worst characteristics of anything. They are building gold-plated junk. It is easy to be impressed with the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s even. But the very spirit of US enterprise and innovation has come under threat, and got buried dead.
I know you'd disagree, but that's just how I see it. The F-35 is a dud. The F-22 is a lemon. UAV / UCAV use was anything but innovative or effective - it took a kick from the CIA and the USN to get the USAF on board at all, and on board like a grudging little child not wanting to go to school.
USAF will get schooled, but only and only when they get a peer competitor. Right now, given the US military budget, no one, not even China is close. China at best has a third of the US budget. And has its own inefficiencies to deal with.