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To the shame of the F-22 “Raptor”

June 28, 2013   ·   0 Comments

The other day, the network has very interesting video. It captures training dogfight between a French fighter “Rafale” fighter and the U.S. 5th generation F-22 “Raptor.” And oddly enough, this school fight American fighter pilot (who is considered the best fighter air superiority) – it turns out a bit! And not once, but with the score 4-1 in favor of the French in a series of five battles of training!

Training bouts took place in 2009 in the UAE sky in the training program for pilots and aviation NATO countries – NATO partners – ATLC (Advanced Tactical Leadership Course – advanced tactical leadership course). And the movie is not accidental done a lot of noise in the network. The F-22 is still considered a consummate fighter aircraft, which is just useless to compete fighters of prior generations. Besides the Americans, until recently, remained silent about the results of these battles, talking about other training fights in the sky UAE. And after the movie began awkwardly excuses, saying that on the F-22 had external fuel tanks (PTB), worsening the maneuverability of the aircraft and its radar signature. But in the video, filmed from the cockpit of French fighter, no PTB to “Raptor” is not observed. It is obvious why such a “click on the nose” Americans preferred to keep quiet – and even to deceive the public, maintaining the “Raptor” fighter undefeated status.

But we should not underestimate the F-22. Clip appeared on the network by chance and, most likely, is the kind of advertising a French car in the hope of export contracts. Yes, the “Raptor” ashamed, but not in the role in which it can be observed in real dogfight. Training battles in the sky UAE occurred in the short run and the scenario that differs from the tactics of the F-22.

The Americans are not going to let the “Raptor” in the melee, the more “one on one”. They prefer to use it as an interceptor in the medium and long distances, where the links of the F-22, using data from aerial reconnaissance aircraft management (E-3 Sentry and Boeing 737 AEW & C), must “shoot” the enemy from long range. This is due to the fact that the F-22 is very expensive and so is the prestige of the U.S. Air Force and their “invincible” image. The loss of the F-22 in combat will destroy an idea of ​​U.S. military aviation as the best and most advanced in the world. Therefore, the “Raptor” will never be allowed into the melee, where much depends on the skill of the pilot and the “military success” rather than from perfect technique. In a real fight, “Raptor” to work in passive mode of its radar and will shy away from rapprochement with the enemy for a short distance. The symbol of American supremacy accidentally shot down.

 

But for medium and long-range F-22 is a very tough opponent. It has reduced visibility in some ranges of radio waves and infrared part of the optical spectrum. This makes it difficult not only to detect its presence as a firm grip of the purpose weapon. He is able to approach the target of attack at supersonic cruising speeds, which reduces the time of his stay in the area of ​​the ground-based air defense and allows you to “get away” from enemy fighters. It has a very sophisticated means of communication and airborne reconnaissance and strike systems, allowing work on targets without their telltale radiation (in passive mode). All this gives the F-22 benefits, but does it only element of U.S. aerial reconnaissance-strike complexes. Element with a fairly narrow function, but effective in the performance of the complex. In isolation from the means of aerial reconnaissance and control – “Raptor” loses much of its advantages.

What should be interesting for us in this leak?

First, the fact that the “Raptor” can beat even the aircraft behind him for at least polpokoleniya. However, in order to confidently beat him, need to get rid of some of its advantages. In the first place – the other elements of air reconnaissance and strike systems: aircraft airborne early warning and control system (AWACS, often referred to as “AWACS”), as well as the means of communication and exchange of data with external sources. There are particularly important means of electronic warfare (EW) and the means of long-range air defense. At present, domestic and defense electronic warfare agents are effective enough to counter American air complexes. You only need to satiate their armed forces to the extent necessary.

In addition, domestic Air Force possess missiles “air-air” large radius, which are superior in range all Western counterparts: P-37, RBB-DB, CS-172 and some other developments. It is difficult to talk about their performance at long range against the F-22, with a reduced radar signature. But the aircraft controls for these missiles – a great goal, and actively radiating perfectly with the background of noise. And without them, the F-22 loses most of its benefits.

Second, the air combat record leaves no stone unturned in the application of the Americans’ superagility »F-22. French “Rafale” in the course of the battle and almost sticks hanging on the tail of the “Raptor”. And the pilot of the “Raptor” has nothing to do with it. Of course, the French pilot has to maneuver quite active – sound gives a good indication of overload. Nevertheless, the French aerobatic properties machines are a cut above than the American “fabulously maneuverable» F-22. This means that in close combat domestic fighters, who have always been famous for unsurpassed maneuverability – do not leave the “Raptor” a chance. And the most important thing for our pilots will go to the near distance combat, using the means of protection and maneuver to thwart the attack F-22 from long range. This should be taken into account in the training of pilots.

Third, the application of the Americans’ invisibility »F-22, and so that puts a big question, is now clearly debunked. French “Rafale” repeatedly and confidently captures and maintains “Raptor” to its board aiming system. At least at near distance. And while on the frame you can see how few times the French radar machine loses support of the F-22, but vserakursny optical system helps to keep track of it even when you exit the front hemisphere “Rafale”. It is worth noting that the optoelectronic sighting systems complement radar on all domestic fighters, even 4th generation. And if you are actively maneuvering or being at an awkward angle for exposure, “Raptor” can disrupt the acquisition and tracking, the optical radar system is quite cope with it.

It should thank the French pilots and figures that promote “Rafale” to foreign markets, with very interesting and instructive leak. From this it is necessary to draw correct conclusions.

Alexander Gorbenko

The blogger

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