Blackstone
Brigadier
I really like the new wing configuration of the JL-9G of that of the original JL-9:
New wing configuration
New wing configuration looks good, but the Mig-21 tail elevators look dated. JF-17 elevators would look nicer.
I really like the new wing configuration of the JL-9G of that of the original JL-9:
New wing configuration
New wing configuration looks good, but the Mig-21 tail elevators look dated. JF-17 elevators would look nicer.
Dear Thud, I get your point but my point is different.
Allow me first to use a naval analogy. Let us look at OPVs. They are not destroyers or frigates and they are not meant to fight it out with for example a USN surface action group. Yet in order to effectively carry out their task such vessels have to have a certain size because of seaworthiness and endurance, they have guns and radars (possibly other weapons & sensors) and frequently also a helideck (sometimes even a hangar). A motor boat will just not cut it when it comes to effectively patrolling off shore waters and deal with territorial waters violators, smugglers and the like.
The same here. Such a light fighter is not meant for long range quasi – strategic strike with satellite guided gliding bombs or to battle it out in BVR air combat with Raptors. It would be more an ‘air sovereignty’ or an ‘air policing’ fighter. An aircraft meant to protect the airspace of a given country against various peace time threats or war against a low tech / limited capabilities enemy. Sometimes when you do not have an aerial asset with even a modest A2A capability they only thing you can do is to look up and watch as drug smugglers or terrorist do their nefarious things – buying an aircraft on the commercial market is not really a problem.
When it comes to the PGM capability I mentioned it is necessary because with todays proliferation of weapons even terror groups can have MANPADS or DShK (other 12, 7 mm / cal. .05 heavy MGs) or even light cannons. When you have only free fall bombs and unguided rockets in order to have a chance of hitting anything you have to go in low and expose yourself to such threats. With PGMs you can drop a bomb or fire a missile from considerable distance with a very high hit probability (though of course not 100%) and even if theoretically in range of MANPADS or heavy MGs / light cannons the launching aircraft will be only a small speck in the distant sky very hard to see and thus hard to hit. PGMs can also considerably reduce collateral damage (though not eliminate it 100%) and have other advantages.
Are there costs involved – sure they are, but every capability must cost. Would they have to be integrated with the aircraft – true but that goes for every system. Yet this is not Star Wars technology so expensive only the Rothschild could pay for it. The Chinese have shown the ability to develop & deliver electronics & weapons at a bargain basement prices when compared to others.
And yes this is not the right stuff if you intend to wage high intensity war against a high tech enemy but would be IMHO just the right thing for many third world AFs which face limited threats.
So much for now – I am going on vacation.
You guys just force me to replay even though I do want to get off this subject. Seems we are talking past each other.
As I have already stated and will state this again – an FTC 2000 / JL 9 is not suited for high intensity / high teach war.
Small AFs are likely to face airspace violators, smugglers, terrorist and rebels – in short the sort of threat that hardly operates fourth / fifth gen fighters with BVR capabilities. Hence BVR capabilities are not needed and many other capabilities that come with fourth / fifth gen multi role fighters are also redundant.
Because of this many small AFs need an affordable aircraft capable of enforcing sovereignty of their airspace plus hit some ground targets should the need arise.
The crux of the point I am trying to make – for intercepting air space violators and similar air policing missions the FTC 2000 / JL 9 would be just fine.
In contrast an expensive aircraft with BVR capabilities would be a wast of money (smugglers and terrorists do not fly Typhoons) and a small country most likely does not have the said money in the first place.
Oh – and by going on vacation I meant to take a leave from the forum for some time but thx for your wishes. May you also have a pleasant time.
OK – so after disagreeing on what to agree we can now agree to agree
Have a nice day – I am really taking a leave now!