(Air Force Times) Backtalk: Remarketing the F-22

[unhappycamper]

Remarketing the F-22
By Phillip S. Meilinger

For 10 years, the Air Force has argued that the F-22’s incredible dogfighting capabilities will ensure the U.S. remains dominant for decades. And for 10 years, critics who say the fighter is an overpriced Cold War relic have steadily whittled down the service’s Raptor budget.

It’s time for a new argument.

The F-22’s superior dogfighting capabilities are barely relevant. Yes, formidable new fighters are being fielded by potential adversaries, notably the Russian-built Su-37 and MiG-31 and the Chinese F-11. The F-22 is far superior to these older-technology, nonstealthy aircraft, but the F-35 would also far outperform any of these models. As a consequence, the dogfighting rationale for the F-22 has never gained much traction outside the Air Force.

Air Force leaders need to regroup and posit a rationale that the administration, Congress, the services and the American people can understand and support. The dogfighting gambit has not worked, but the need for maintaining air superiority is very real. The F-22 should become our chief asset for taking down enemy air defenses.

Air superiority has two aspects: We prevent the enemy from using air power to attack our forces and facilities, but he cannot prevent us from attacking his. This second element is the most challenging.


Rest of article about this $355 million dollar wonder at: http://airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_f22_030909/%2e