Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: greg@sif.claremont.edu (Tigger) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: F-14 vs F-15 Message-ID: <1991Jan24.034935.21643@cbnews.att.com> Date: 24 Jan 91 03:49:35 GMT References: <1991Jan19.043622.6577@cbnews.att.com> <1991Jan22.014043.18325@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: Pomona College Lines: 32 Approved: military@att.att.com From: Tigger Okay, numerous persons have pointed out that the F-14 and F-15 have different roles. By all accounts the F-14 is designed for fleet defense, and does its job quite well. The F-15, depending upon the variation and/or the person telling the story, is a great ground-pounder, close-quarters air-to-air combatant, and air superiority weapon. So where, in the overall scheme of things, does that leave my personal favorite 'sexy' plane, the F-16? I was under the impression that it was the close-quarters air-to-air king. It certainly doesn't carry the ordinance to be a groud-pounder. I believe that they are being used in the gulf, as I did see a shot of several of them landing on the news the other night, though I suppose that could have been file footage. Are they being used as escorts for the F-15E's, since those are carrying bombs rather than missiles? Also, where does the F/A-18 fit in? I was also under the impression that they are rather agile, since the Blue Angels use them, no? That would seem to earmark them for close air-to-air, but the "A" in their name would seem to indicate that they can also be used for ground attack. Finally, where will the ATF fit in, whichever model is chosen? Which of our current aircraft is is basically intended to replace? I realize that no official word has been released on weapons systems other than that Lockheed did fire a Sidewinder from one of the YF-22's internal bays, but can any of the well-informed readers of this newsgroup at least speculate? Greg Orman greg@pomona.claremont.edu