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From: kjn@hrmso.att.com (Kenneth J Novak)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: F-14 vs F-15
Summary: Things to consider.
Keywords: Tomcats, Eagles, which one is better?
Message-ID: <1991Jan22.014423.18902@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 22 Jan 91 01:44:23 GMT
References: <1991Jan19.043622.6577@cbnews.att.com>
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From: kjn@hrmso.att.com (Kenneth J Novak)
> From: zam@athena.mit.edu (Nor Aazizam Mohd Aasif)
> 
> 	My friend and I were discussing about the US jet fighters and
> we finally came down to debating whether the F-14 is better than the
> F-15(E).

 ... Stuff deleted ...

> My only reasoning is that the F-14 is the only jet fighter that is
> able to carry the Phoenix missiles with their range over 100 miles,

This is a MAJOR factor in A-A combat.

> while the F-15 is only equipped with Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles,
> which in my opinion, are inferior to the Phoenix missiles.

Inferior in range NOT accuracy.


A friend of mine is currently in the Navy Aviation program in P-cola.
Part of AOCS was memorizing mountains of information on weapons and
aircraft.  The F-14s track record is good largely due to the Pheonix
missle.  They can lock and fire on a target LONG before it's in range
to fire back at you. "As for tight maneuvering, it's a pig." (quoted)

In maneuverability, the F-15 probably has the edge in CLOSE A-A combat.
Put these two against each other at 100 miles and my money's on the
Tomcat.

Ken Novak

P.S.  A BIG factor in air combat is the proficiency of the pilot.
      Top Gun instructors flying F-5's and A-4's REGULARLY beat
      the pants off their student pilots flying newer and more
      sophistocated aircraft.