quote:
The types of issues raised in the article pose some interesting questions: We can only afford to build so much these days, so do we build better planes, or better missles?
I don't think the article really brings up any issues that we don't already think about in the fighter community. Our tactics in the Strike Eagle are based on defeating a MiG-29/SU-27 threat using the AA-10C (the "long burn" Alamo) in a medium range, medium altitude engagement. Believe it or not, we also have tactics aimed at beating the "unbeatable" AA-11 Archer and other helmet-mounted sight targeted SRMs (like the Python).
That being said, good missile technology is getting cheaper and cheaper. With aircraft like the MiG-21 upgraded with a better radar, better avionics, and the HMS, there are a lot of small countries that can have some pretty first-rate (AA-10, AA-11, and AA-12 shooters) fighters. With our current crop of multimillion dollar fighters getting to be over 25 years old, it's important to get some more capable replacements out there.
Either that, or we just haul all our F-5s out of AMARC and load them up with new Russian missiles....