While I have been seeing and reading reports of PE Obama looking hard at the production runs of the F-22 and possibly cutting the amount from 380 to around 150ish, I was trying to think how the USAF would be able to adapt the numbers from an overall air-superiority role ( meaning flying multiple sorties to subdue an opposing air force) to a vanguard/first strike air to air capability. Generally speaking when a country is attacked by air one would assume ( by no means am I Sun-Tzu or a military commander..lol) that they would send thier best and brightest flying their newest and most capable aircraft. My question to all of you is could the F-22 be tweaked to perform a vanguard role, eliminating the most dangerous threats to air superiority while letting our current fleet of fighters to mop up the remainders. One of the proponents for a larger fleet of aircraft was on fox and he is quoted " 1 squadron of f-22's could wipe-out an entire carrier battlegroup." It was a Lt. Col. and I didn't catch his name but the bold statement got me thinking. I will put this out there and let yall kick it around...

The F22 like the F15 I'm sure will be multi roled, but it's airframe will hinder it. If I recall it's weapons are in bays, and this will be the limit to it's armorment. If I am wrong, then I am. It has been quite sometime since I have seen information on it and you really cannot trust the info that comes out either.

No your right the weapons are interior-held. The F-22 was designed around precision A2G wepaonery rather than dumb bombs. I am just trying to envision a smaller force of these craft, somewhere around 10 squadrons, being applied like the F-15/F-14/F-18 platforms for air superiority. Maybe the multiple engage/kill capability could offset the numbers of planes but I doubt it. Although I cannot forsee any MAJOR airwar in the near future aside from China or Russia.

Originally posted by djvexd
People boasted about the elusiveness of the F-117 until it got popped in the ass by an AA missle.

And they still boast about it. In literally THOUSANDS of missions, exactly ONE F-117 was shot down. While flying the same route as the previous two nights, at a similar time, after dropping weapons, which is when they're most vulnerable.

Does it matter? The report I red stated that the production of F-22 would be halted... that's why Japan will drop it's order...

Japan doesnt have an order, nor will it have for the forseeable future. The F-22 is not up for grabs, it's sale is barred by congress.

Jensy

Originally posted by Jkd Up
The F22 like the F15 I'm sure will be multi roled, but it's airframe will hinder it. If I recall it's weapons are in bays, and this will be the limit to it's armorment. If I am wrong, then I am. It has been quite sometime since I have seen information on it and you really cannot trust the info that comes out either.

Originally posted by djvexd
No your right the weapons are interior-held. The F-22 was designed around precision A2G wepaonery rather than dumb bombs.

The F-22 has external hard points under its wings and body, just as the F-15 does, so it can carry the same loads for the same missions.

Thats what the f-22 is built for isnt it? i mean the numbers alone would tell you that, 380 fighters can not replace the thousands that are flown by the us airforce, and as for your comment about sun tzu, although quite a genius for his time, would get trounced by anyone who has played rome total war for more than a week.

Originally posted by Jkd Up

So if it has the same diversity as the F-15, no problem. With all the air craft in our arsonal, why is the F22 that needed?

The truth? It had more to do with pork barrel spending than actual need.