Originally Posted by scorefour

There have been several very good points made. Yes, the test flight test stage did last 15 years, not 20. I was exagerating a little.

True the strength of the raptor is its sensor package. When the USAF was trying to sell congress on the plane, some of its "secret" capabilities were released to the public. Most of these centered around its AESA and the many new capabilities it offers. But, herein lies the problem. If the Russians are developing a much larger, more powerful AESA, and their R-77 missiles outdistance our AMRAAMs, then doesn't that mean that the Russians would have first look, first shot capability? One would have to assume that almost 20 years later, the Russians could design a plane with roughly the same radar signature as the Raptor.

I agree that programs started by the Russians have a very poor track record of actually being completed, but the fact that they've teamed up with India on this one obligates both sides to acutally go through with it.