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For a crazy comparison, it's worth taking a look at the B-1R concept. It was a b-1 refitted for air to air combat. In a bvr battle of missile trucks, it may be

by lumost 4y ago

For a crazy comparison, it's worth taking a look at the B-1R concept. It was a b-1 refitted for air to air combat. In a bvr battle of missile trucks, it may be beneficial to have separate platforms optimized for sensing and attack. Maneuverability may not be required if the aircraft can remain high and fast.

JohnBooty 4y ago
Yeah! Exactly. Imagine trying to fight a layered airborne force with airborne refueling, a fleet of aircraft carriers, AWACS, "missile trucks", agile manned stealthy fighters, and drones. Most of this is possible today and the rest is close. The cost is obviously insane, and that's part of the appeal for the US. For the moment they own the skies in a comprehensive way that nobody else can even remotely afford to challenge. Look at the US's dominance in Desert Storm, and consider that the gap has probably widened since then. I'm neither endorsing this nor criticizing it by the way. The US does this while a lot of its citizens don't even have healthcare, for example. The ethical issues are infinite!