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Originally posted by ghost
Massive altitude? 50'000 ft is standard ceiling for most military aircraft! U-2's Fly at 75'000ft. and the SR-71 blackbird could reach 100'000ft. according to some reports. I'm not sure how you figured that 50'000 is so high in the overall sceme of things.
Tim
Originally posted by kilcoo316
For a non-afterburning fighter, with stores, its very high.
The U2 is a glorified glider and the blackbird achieves those speeds by brute ignorance (courtesy of a RAMjet). Neither were/are combat aircraft (I'm sure some will mention the A-12 [A-12 right?], but it wasn't rejected for being too good was it?).
Originally posted by ghost
Point Taken! However, to the best of my knowledge, the F-22 DOES have an afterburner. I know it can supercruise (fly supersonic with out using afterburner) but that doesn't mean it doesn't have an afterburner.
Second, you are right, they are both spy planes. The A-12 actully did fly for the CIA for a while. They flew under the code name Black Sheild. The A-12 were withdrawn when the larger SR-71 version of the Blackbird replaced it. The SR-71 had a better payload. The Blackbird was in service for over 25 years. How bad could it have been if it lasted so long?
Tim
Originally posted by kilcoo316
I also meant the Blackbird isn't a 'combat' aircraft, as in, it won't shoot anything - and was clearing my position on the A-12, i.e. it doesn't count.
Originally posted by ghost
Fair enough! Oh B.T.W. are we strictly sticking to US combat aircraft? If not, how high can the Russian Mig 25 fly?
Tim
Originally posted by kilcoo316
Originally posted by urmomma158
And you're assuming stealth aircraft will always fly at the same altitude. The next batch will fly at extremely high altitudes and very high speeds. You're assuming tech advances on one side.
The laws of physics are the laws of physics and cannot be avoided.