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Is the Super Hornet still viable against emerging threats from the Mig-35 and Flanker Series? Also still viable in the Air Superiority role as its secondary mission?
For better or worse, the F-18 E/F WILL be called upon to perform the AS role (at least until the F-35 comes on-line), though it will be backed-up by F-18G'S. As long as the F-18 E/F utilizes it's superior BVR capabilities, it should be okay; even in the merge, it's superior high-AOA maneuverability should help. Given the current status of pilot training overall, my money's on the Superbug pilot.
"There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not there any more." -Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge
For better or worse, the F-18 E/F WILL be called upon to perform the AS role (at least until the F-35 comes on-line), though it will be backed-up by F-18G'S. As long as the F-18 E/F utilizes it's superior BVR capabilities, it should be okay; even in the merge, it's superior high-AOA maneuverability should help. Given the current status of pilot training overall, my money's on the Superbug pilot.
How about WVR? It's got great nose point ability to point the Flanker or rival. It has the JHMCS and AIM-9x, which is an important factor gaining WVR combat for the Rhino, which why the Rhino is very potent in WVR with those weapons and systems. It has great manuverablility with unlimited AOA. I don't think overall the rhino is that easy to beat in WVR and BVR. It's really the pilot well trained for the mission, my money is on the Rhino driver also. But many pilots need to be trained well to face the factors in WVR combat.
Rhinos all so superior in WVR if it has the right things it needs to gain WVR combat. Overall it's a great AS fighter for the US Navy for now.
It's not really the machine,
I found this quote from a forum telling some of the factors of A2A for the super hornet in this case.
"you'll get the idea that it's not always about the platform (that being the Super Hornet in this case) but the system of which it is. And a question like "is this aircraft good for air to air combat" is sort of like asking "how long is a piece of string", there's many other variables outside of simply the aircraft's specifications that will determine its effectiveness in combat. Aircraft don't engage in mano e mano gladiatorial combat, they operate as part of a multi-platform warfighting system. Within one such system, the primary operators of the Super Hornet, the US Navy, appear to have faith in the Super Hornet's ability to perform in air to air missions"
"you'll get the idea that it's not always about the platform (that being the Super Hornet in this case) but the system of which it is. And a question like "is this aircraft good for air to air combat" is sort of like asking "how long is a piece of string", there's many other variables outside of simply the aircraft's specifications that will determine its effectiveness in combat. Aircraft don't engage in mano e mano gladiatorial combat, they operate as part of a multi-platform warfighting system. Within one such system, the primary operators of the Super Hornet, the US Navy, appear to have faith in the Super Hornet's ability to perform in air to air missions"
I found this quote from a forum telling some of the factors of A2A for the super hornet in this case.
"you'll get the idea that it's not always about the platform (that being the Super Hornet in this case) but the system of which it is. And a question like "is this aircraft good for air to air combat" is sort of like asking "how long is a piece of string", there's many other variables outside of simply the aircraft's specifications that will determine its effectiveness in combat. Aircraft don't engage in mano e mano gladiatorial combat, they operate as part of a multi-platform warfighting system. Within one such system, the primary operators of the Super Hornet, the US Navy, appear to have faith in the Super Hornet's ability to perform in air to air missions"
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