F-14 vs. F/A-18E/F

**Dima** · 30 Mar 05,, 03:32

the JSF will cost a lot, already, the cheapest version is at $37 million

**leib10** · 30 Mar 05,, 04:48

Still less than an F-14.

**highsea** · 30 Mar 05,, 05:37

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

Let me lay out an senario for you. Country x has purchases SU30Mks and either KH-35 or even KH-41 (air launched sunburn) anti-ship missiles. The KH-35 has a range of 70nm and the KH-41 has a range of a 130nm. Given the super hornets speed problem, I doubt it could make this intercept

Okay, I will play with your scenario (from an armchair perspective, I'm no expert).

In your scenario, I will assume a lone CVBG on a wartime footing (unlikely scenario). The defensive screen is ~800km, and F-18's are flying CAP and E2C is airborne.

The incoming bogey is ID'ed at 800km, and E2C vectors the Super Hornet for the intercept. Bogey has to get within 200km for the KH-41 launch. If the bogey is traveing at Mach 2, this gives 18 minutes for the intercept (600km @ 2000 km/hr). If the F-18 is sitting right on top of the CVN, it will get to the bogey's launch range of 200km in 7-8 minutes- I am allowing 1 minute to accelerate from cruise to max speed of Mach 1.8 for the F-18, (because I don't know what the Super Hornet's acceleration rate is), but at Mach 1.8, the Hornet will cover that 200 km in under 7 minutes.

This would give the F-18 a reasonable margin to get within AMRAAM range, and even allow a bit of a buffer (~3 minutes) if the CG or DDG needed to launch an SM-2 at the bogey. I don't really see a problem, especially since the CAP is not sitting right on top of the CVN, it's already out a couple hundred km on patrol. And if there is another CVBG in the region, the defensive screen is extended and the ships are NetFORCE'd, which gives even more time to react.

**jgetti** · 30 Mar 05,, 12:29

Originally Posted by Dima

the JSF will cost a lot, already, the cheapest version is at $37 million

I doubt one will ever go out the door for less than 60 mil when it's all said and done.

**Bill** · 30 Mar 05,, 12:31

A Backfire intercept is far more problematic for the F-18E/F because of the extreme standoff range provided by the AS-4/AS-6 missile systems.

**Dima** · 31 Mar 05,, 05:01

Originally Posted by jgetti

I doubt one will ever go out the door for less than 60 mil when it's all said and done.

well, that brings to mind that i've read many people are expecting it to cost $50-55 million in the end, which would greatly reduce the effectiveness of this aircraft on the international market

**ajaybhutani** · 04 Apr 05,, 05:41

Originally Posted by Dima

well, that brings to mind that i've read many people are expecting it to cost $50-55 million in the end, which would greatly reduce the effectiveness of this aircraft on the international market

tahts good as it means the Russians Chineese indians french etc all still have a chance to sell fighters in the future and in good numbers.

**Dima** · 05 Apr 05,, 03:17

yea, especially since the Russian T-50 will cost about $25-35 million, haf the price

**ajaybhutani** · 05 Apr 05,, 13:21

i think the big sellers will be the JF17 from china and maybe LCA from india. for they will cost 15-20 a peice and quite cheap to maintain.

**Dima** · 06 Apr 05,, 03:38

but think about the combat ability of these aircraft, JF-17, lol, the LCA will actually be average

**ajaybhutani** · 06 Apr 05,, 06:38

Originally Posted by Dima

but think about the combat ability of these aircraft, JF-17, lol, the LCA will actually be average

actually these ones are a good package for small and poor AF's. Though the real combat ability will be sen only when they are inducted.

**Dima** · 07 Apr 05,, 04:23

who will buy the JF-17?, i know Pakistan is ready to buy about some 180, and China is prepared to buy them, but, anyone else, also, confidence in Chinese aircraft isn't really what i'd say solid, i think you have to develop a name for yourself, that will pose a problem for the LCA and JF-17, the LCA might sell better than the JF-17, because some nations, i'm not sure which ones are interested, will be interested in this aircraft more because personally, i thik that it will have better overall capabilities, but then again, there is much time until these come out, so, things can change, we will see

**ajaybhutani** · 07 Apr 05,, 08:21

bangladesh iran etc have shown interests in JF-17.

**highsea** · 07 Apr 05,, 14:56

Originally Posted by ajaybhutani

JF-17 has confirmed commitments from iran , bangladesh etc.

Source???

AFAIK, the PLAAF has not even committed to the AC, since it was developed as an export item. While CATIC has been trying to generate interest from some other countries, I have heard of no "firm commitments" other than Pakistan.

**ajaybhutani** · 07 Apr 05,, 15:08

my fault .i read too much PDF today and so the effect. i have corrected the same.
Realiszign the cact i wonder if these countries will also be interested in LCA instead of JF-17 if india offers LCA to them .