first pics of China's 5th gen stealth fighter

[Hotrod525]

Originally Posted by Pariel

Yes, technology is constantly evolving.



It's not like stealth technology hasn't seen combat. B-2s and F-117s hit targets in Iraq during both Gulf Wars, without losses. Granted, not the most technologically challenging environment. But there has been a massive amount of testing and development for these aircraft. The question is not if it works, it's how close to being truly invisible it makes these aircraft. That will vary from system to system, and the US has a clear advantage due to flying and developing this aircraft for three decades. That's not something we should simply throw away because aircraft are getting more expensive.

B2 havent been combat tested against Russia or China that have WAY much more advance AA/Radar than Irak in 2003. Yes they havent been detect by Iraqi's but the F-117 have been detect by a old russian made Serb GR/SAM.

[Zeno]

Originally Posted by Hotrod525

B2 havent been combat tested against Russia or China that have WAY much more advance AA/Radar than Irak in 2003. Yes they havent been detect by Iraqi's but the F-117 have been detect by a old russian made Serb GR/SAM.

45 million dollar per plane that doesnt do what its supposed to do

way to go with spending tax payers dollars

[Pariel]

Originally Posted by Hotrod525

B2 havent been combat tested against Russia or China that have WAY much more advance AA/Radar than Irak in 2003.

And neither have their aircraft. Certainly this isn't a reason to cancel our stealth programs, though. You know what else we haven't tested against Russia or China? Nuclear weapons.

Yes they havent been detect by Iraqi's but the F-117 have been detect by a old russian made Serb GR/SAM.

No, the only F-11 ever shot down was almost certainly done so optically, rather than by radar.

Originally Posted by Zeno

45 million dollar per plane that doesnt do what its supposed to do

way to go with spending tax payers dollars

What are you claiming that the F-117 can't do that it was supposed to? I mean, it placed the US on the top of the next generational leap in aircraft technology, effectively carried out combat missions in multiple wars and combat zones, and is considered one of the most efficient manufacturing and design programs in the US military after Vietnam.

[fludblud]

Originally Posted by Pariel

No, the only F-11 ever shot down was almost certainly done so optically, rather than by radar.

not exactly, yugoslav air defences were able to detect F117s by modifying their radars to operate on extremely long wavelengths and thus were able to predict the flight paths of the nighthawks and position their missiles accordingly. while they could detect the F117, the signatures were too weak to gain a lock so the actual firing of the missiles were conducted visually using infra red night vision.

just goes to show that the most advanced technology cant beat good training and tactical creativity.

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Viper5]

Its probably worth noting that F117 and its technology was designed over thirty years ago. Inevitably, there have been improvements. Moreover, the F117 has been retired for three years.

[BloodBane611]

Originally Posted by fludblud

not exactly, yugoslav air defences were able to detect F117s by modifying their radars to operate on extremely long wavelengths and thus were able to predict the flight paths of the nighthawks and position their missiles accordingly. while they could detect the F117, the signatures were too weak to gain a lock so the actual firing of the missiles were conducted visually using infra red night vision.

just goes to show that the most advanced technology cant beat good training and tactical creativity.

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the record, wikipedia is not an acceptable source for such technical information - its a claim which has not been proven or repeated in any publicly available data.

[CastleBravo]

Originally Posted by fludblud

just goes to show that the most advanced technology cant beat good training and tactical creativity.

More like the most advanced tech can not make up for poor training or tactics. Had the USAF not become complacent to the point where they were flying the same routes every day with their nighthawks then this never would have happened.

[Outlawz7]

Originally Posted by [R-MOD]BloodBane611

For the record, wikipedia is not an acceptable source for such technical information - its a claim which has not been proven or repeated in any publicly available data.

Those claims are sourced on the bottom of the page.

USATODAY.com - Serb discusses 1999 downing of stealth

Air Defense: How to Take Down an F-117

[ralfidude]

That last "source" is so sketchy... many grammatical errors and some missing words from sentences... I mean come on... lol

[Epim3theus]

Seen it on tv... what the last source was talking about...

It's just a reminder to not underestemate your enemy, it's obvious that guy never stood a chance of really stopping or shooting down a large number of planes even with 2000 guys at his disposal, only present a nuicence.
He was able to do this because Nato got cocky and didn't bother with him or the 100000 km's his units were on route.