While I too was disappointed when the F-22 was chosen over the F-23, which was a beautiful plane, honesty requires me to note that those problems you list came up later in development after the choice was made. If it had been the F-23 that had continued development equivalent, or worse, issues would have appeared in that program as well. It is an inescapable result of the design process.

The JHMCS is the system currently used in the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. The system for the F-35 was to be the HMDS from VSI, and is/was having major problems. The potential replacement is, as you noted, from BAE. Not sure what the capabilities will be, but if they aren’t close to the HMDS they will probably need to do some major cockpit redesign.

 

And it is a sure bet that they are looking at putting whatever is used in the F-35 ino the F-22 as well.

 

This is one of those rapidly developing fields of technology where if you can get it, its already obsolete.

But this is LOCKMART after Kelly Johnson is gone and the accountants took over, and Northrop GRUMMAN, with old Jack Northrop, himself, still kicking tires when that team went to work on it.

 

Now which design shop would I TRUST to get it right?

 

B.

Source....

 

Check the appendix. The rough rule of thumb is that the plane can dodge if the pilot has inbound bearing information, time to impact information (so the pilot can jerk into a beam position and fox the doppler), and at least  a 1/4 ratio gee instant turn rate (jerk) on the inbounds.

 

For a 20 gee jerk missile the plane needs a 5 gee maneuver at least. For a 50 gee missile like an Amraam in its NEZ, the plane is DEAD.

 

B.

 

 

R

 
link

Watch the movie "The Pentagon Wars." That movie follows the development of the Bradley and shows the flaws of the procurement system. It is a comedy, but if they had made a serious movie you wouldn't be able to sit through because you'd get so mad.

 

You might also google the Growler. There is a presentation out there someone did that deatils how flawed and corrupt the design of that one vehicle was.

What is going on?

 

B.

 

It may seem a little off topic however I find myself wondering this:

 

 

People say planes like the F-22 will be some of the last manned fighter aircraft.

 

Why? 

 

I'm under, the perhaps mistaken, impression that it might not be terribly difficult to disable a fleet of UAV aircraft with EMPs and just jamming whatever waves they're getting control from? 

 

If the UAVs are programmed and relatively autonomous doesn't that present problems too? Could they not be compromised in some way?

 

Maybe ya'll could enlighten this civilian.

But with  a FARADAY DEFENSE and artificial intelligences the hope springs eternal that a robot fighter can work.

 

We have working examples of what those aircraft would in practice resemble. They are called cruise missiles.

 

Of practical necessity we make those autonomous kamikazis.

 

B.

 

 

 

From what I understand, a Faraday cage doesn't work if the amount of EM power is at a certain level. (though the example I'm thinking of is a massive solar event. I am unaware if we can create fields of comparable power)

 

 I would be cautious about becoming too reliant on such weapon systems strategically.  It could be an Achilles heel a serious opponent could exploit. This civilian would not be happy seeing ourselves creating a cyber warfare choke point. I imagine even if the command centers of these drones were decentralized they would present targets that might be easily engaged or disrupted enough to present a exploitable weakness to us. Man is harder to EM zap for the moment it seems. The Chinese appear to be more than able and willing to compromise our infrastructure right now. Skirmishing with us to learn how better to do it. The things that are available to for me to read I presume to be the tip of an iceberg. Knowing that one should never underestimate human incompetence - I'd present this whisper of caution to hopefully echo.