Here's a plug for the Superhornet straight from the mouth of the guys who fly and maintain them. Apparently they like it when their systems actualy WORK.
'Fighting Checkmates' Soar With Super
Hornet
By Journalist Seaman Riza Wenthe, Naval Media Center FSD Norfolk
NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, Va. (NNS) -- The
"Fighting Checkmates" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 arrived at Naval Air Station Oceana April 1 after seven months of training at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., with their new aircraft.
The squadron's aging F-14 Tomcats were replaced by the F/A-18E/F, making Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's first fully deployable Super Hornet squadron. In training, the crews learned to fly and maintain the new aircraft, which is more advanced than its predecessor.
Cmdr. Robert Geis, the squadron's executive officer and weapons systems officer, said the Super Hornet is a welcome change for the aviators.
"This new jet is state-of-the-art," he said. "It's brand-new. Everything is digital and everything works. It's got super radar, air-to-air and air-to-ground. It carries every weapon in the inventory, and it works - everything works. It's just great."
VFA-211 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Michael Whetstone
echoed Geis' positive thoughts on the aircraft.
"They finally developed a plane that took into account the short turn-around cycle that we have on the ship to get things maintained and fixed," said Whetstone. "And they actually put a lot of thought into making that job easier for the maintainer. That, actually, from my point of view, is the best thing about this airplane...that it is maintenance-friendly as well as aviator-friendly."
Senior Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Vaughn Ransom, VFA-211 maintenance leading chief petty officer, emphasized the improved quality of life his Sailors will enjoy with the Super Hornet.
"A lot of it has to do with the general maintenance," said Ransom. "The trouble-shooting procedure is a lot easier to follow with the new system that they have on computer. With the Tomcat, it could [take] up to 30 man-hours per flight hour. With the Super Hornet, it's somewhere around four man-hours per flight hour."
Whetstone added that the Super Hornet brings a lot of power to the Navy's air forces.
"With today's threats - the technology that's out there - I think in order for the Navy to continue to be on the forefront, they need to try to get a hold of and maintain the greatest technology that is out there," Whetstone said. "That requirement is met by the Super Hornet without a doubt. It brings a lot to the fight."
According to the plane's manufacturers, the Super Hornet is 25 percent bigger than the F/A-18C/D Hornet. The jet also has better maneuverability, ease of flying and lands at slower speeds. Additionally, it has two more weapons stations, allowing for an increased mix of bombs and rockets - up to 17,750 pounds.
so, Ajay, let eme get this straight, Bangladesh and Iran aren't interested?
oh, do you guys want some concept art on the T-50, here you go, very bottom of the page
http://www.rfforces.com/viewtopic.php?t=354&start=80
very bottom of the page, nice and sleak, check out the LERX's
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actually i read news items saying that bangladesh and iran are interested. I can assure of an interest of bangladesh as china is a big supplier for arms to bangladesh.Originally Posted by Dima
"According to the plane's manufacturers, the Super Hornet is 25 percent bigger than the F/A-18C/D Hornet. The jet also has better maneuverability, ease of flying and lands at slower speeds. Additionally, it has two more weapons stations, allowing for an increased mix of bombs and rockets - up to 17,750 pounds."
In fantasy land maybe.
Plus we're not questioning its prowess as an attack aircraft. We're questioning how good it is in the fleet defense/ deep strike roles.
They fail to mention how far the thing can fly with that kind of bombload.
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man
Under normal loads, I'd say 3 480-gal drop tanks, 2 AIM-9x, 1 ATFLIR, 2 HARMs, and 2 2000lbs JDAMS. With the ST-21/ASF-14 you'd get 2 300-gal droptanks 2 AIM-9s, 2 HARMs, and 4 2000lbs JDAMs. The Super Hornet is more versatile and better in missions such as light strike, CAS, anti-tank, and Anti-ship warfare. The Tomcat is faster, has a longer range, and can carry more of the big weapons making it ideal for the deep strike mission.
Not to mention a far better fleet-defender.
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man
are you serious, China has been supplying Bangladesh with arms, was always wondering who was doing that, know that the Russkies sold them some 6-8 MiG-29's i believe in 96, so, what have they supplied them with?
Iran is also a major buyer of Russian military hardware, what do you think they will opt for, something that is comparable to the F-22 for $30 million, or something that is comparable to the F-16 worth $14-17 million?
because Iran has a lot of money, they'd probably opt for the more capable fighter, but Bangladesh will fer sure go for the chinese, they don't really spend much on their military anyways
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links
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3452.htm
http://www.photius.com/countries/ban...tions~266.html
Bangladesh has been tranditionally nearer to china than to russia. Secondly with the increasing chineese interests in the indian ocean the chineese will offer much more sops for the arms.
Bangladeshs military budget is just around 500-600 mn dollars . with that much of a budget in hand i wonder wether it is in a position to purchase stuff costing millions.Also givent the fact that india is involved in the PAK-FA project the deal to bangladesh might not go thru considering the terrorist camps it is running in its terrotory
About iran. it can even purchase the LCA (at least over the PAK-FA). though it think the arms purchase decision will be more effected by the strategic /political relations between the countries . and if clubbed by china with the energy purchase aggrements iran might be forced to buy the JF-17
yea, i know that their military budget is around $500-600 million, that's correct
does Iran have good relations with India, i didn't think so, they have better relations with Pakistan, which is therefore, where you might get the idea that they will buy the JF-17, or the Russian PAK-FA
what do you mean LCA at least over the PAK-FA
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India & iran have good relations. U need to read about it . The pro pakistan iran dsnt exist today. The democratic govt is more pro india. And there are even reports of underground contracts of iran allowing india to use iranian air feilds in case of war. India buys fuel from iran in large quantity and also supplies some military hardware to iran.
only the cost factor.And considering the fact that LCA will be out much before PAK-FA so can be sold earlier .The indian politicians will need to work hard to get the sale done with iran. (and they havent even begun showing LCA yet. ),what do you mean LCA at least over the PAK-FA
Since iran is a big country and PAK-FA a specialized plane. It wont order more than a hundred or so such planes primarily for strike etc. The rest or the orders( which might be even more considering the growing iranian strength due to oil & gas). a lot many cheaper planes will be needed for say point defence etc. And s8nce they have the money too they might love to get LCA over JF-17.
Its just the same case of LCA will have advantage over PAK-FA as F16/Mig29/M2K-5 has over MKI / F15.
Last edited by ajaybhutani; 10 Apr 05, at 06:58.
oh really, are you sure, because Iran called on a "coalition" with Pakistan, if it were ever attacked by the Us, i don't think i'd be able to get the news article anymore though, because the page was updated you guys know the site
www.populations.com
it was there, several more links, oh well
they're both(Pakistan and Iran) majority Muslim nations
PAK-FA, SPECIALIZED PLANE? WHERE'D YOU GET THAT FROM?oh , woops capslock, sorry, made me look mad lol
PAK-FA is a multirole aircraft, not like the F-35, which has a primary strike mission, the T-50 is more oriented towards the F-22
yea, because of their low price, personally, i hate small planes, i'm all about the big, advanced ones
small things just don't work for me
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Analyze "Iran needs whom more Pakistan or india?" And ur doubts will be answered
PAK-FA isnt even made yet. The whole integration will tell how multirole it turns out to be. Looking at how the fighters develop over the time normally the first versions are just primarily A2A. ( to induct earlier.). further looking at the investments neededPAK-FA, SPECIALIZED PLANE? WHERE'D YOU GET THAT FROM?oh , woops capslock, sorry, made me look mad lol
All this time i thought PAK-FA and T-50 are the same. Are they different??PAK-FA is a multirole aircraft, not like the F-35, which has a primary strike mission, the T-50 is more oriented towards the F-22
US is using F22 for Air superiority. The F35 is whats intended for evthing else. I dont have much idea about F22's multirole capabilities(like land attack.). Can u guide me on the same.
small things are the key to this world.evthin is getting smaller (look at cell phones over the years.).small has its own set of advantages that cannot be neglected.yea, because of their low price, personally, i hate small planes, i'm all about the big, advanced ones
small things just don't work for me
I think you all completely missed the point of the article. This is a former F-14 pilot and he's lauding the Superhornet because it's systems ACTUALLY WORK.
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