Chogy
PROFESSIONAL
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- Jun 17, 2010
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Some people misunderstand me.
Maneuverability is great, the more the better... but it is foolish to invest $$ into it at the expense of other aircraft attributes. And especially, it does not define a fighter jet.
Unlike Vietnam, we now have combat data that does indeed validate what I am saying.
A BFM engagement is very similar to a knife fight between two soldiers. Armies practice unarmed combat and bayonet drills. Does it happen in real life? Yes, but as a percentage of casualties in modern war, it is microscopic. To spend all day training for a knife fight at the expense of squad tactics, small arms, artillery, etc, is ridiculous. Yet that is what we see too often in aviation.
An Air Show is a bit like seeing demo squads of soldiers who do Tae Kwon Do, break boards and such. Looks cool, but not really all that applicable.
"Look at our ripped soldiers doing those axe-kicks and karate moves! They are awesome troops! Guaranteed to win in battle!" Not really...
---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 AM ----------
And the Mike Mullen thing is a bit perplexing. Is someone trying to imply he is stunned and awed at what he saw? To me it looks like he's rubbing his nose because it itches.
Cockpits show very little about what a fighter can really do. Look at an F-35 cockpit. NO HUD! Must be a P.O.S.
Maneuverability is great, the more the better... but it is foolish to invest $$ into it at the expense of other aircraft attributes. And especially, it does not define a fighter jet.
Unlike Vietnam, we now have combat data that does indeed validate what I am saying.
A BFM engagement is very similar to a knife fight between two soldiers. Armies practice unarmed combat and bayonet drills. Does it happen in real life? Yes, but as a percentage of casualties in modern war, it is microscopic. To spend all day training for a knife fight at the expense of squad tactics, small arms, artillery, etc, is ridiculous. Yet that is what we see too often in aviation.
An Air Show is a bit like seeing demo squads of soldiers who do Tae Kwon Do, break boards and such. Looks cool, but not really all that applicable.
"Look at our ripped soldiers doing those axe-kicks and karate moves! They are awesome troops! Guaranteed to win in battle!" Not really...
---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 AM ----------
And the Mike Mullen thing is a bit perplexing. Is someone trying to imply he is stunned and awed at what he saw? To me it looks like he's rubbing his nose because it itches.
Cockpits show very little about what a fighter can really do. Look at an F-35 cockpit. NO HUD! Must be a P.O.S.