4 ms·

Absolutely. The value of F-22s actually launching some $400k AIM-9Xs not at training targets with a 100% success rate would be far, far greater than those unit

Absolutely. The value of F-22s actually launching some $400k AIM-9Xs not at training targets with a 100% success rate would be far, far greater than those unit costs. It's a crying shame the F-22 production line was shut down, so it's great to see it performing well. (Speaking as a DCS sim pilot with a long time interest in military aviation).

ilyt 4y ago
Oh yes the useful and oh so important lesson that F-22 is indeed capable of disposing of not only maneuverable airborne crafts but also non-maneuverable ones! Clearly a baloon is so hard to dispose target that making sure the aircraft indeed can be up to this task is worth any money!
- mensetmanusman 4y ago
  In some scenarios, balloons are more difficult to shoot down than aircraft.
  - cardamomo 4y ago
    Can you expand on this? What scenarios are you thinking of?
    - sundvor 4y ago
      The IR signature/target profile of a balloon contraption is very different to that of a jet exhaust, for one. Far less friction heat of movement etc + no engine. Although the X is an all aspect missile, the parameters would still be quite different. I think this is would all be firmly in the "not public domain" bucket of details though, as I haven't seen much of this modelled in DCS. (I suppose they could also have used eg a radar guided AIM-120, but they are primarily for BVR, more expensive at ~$1.1, and far, far more scope for erroneous target locking, so why risk it when the 9X obviously gets the job done. Again, from the point of view of an armchair - or a rig to be precise - sim pilot. I claim no credentials beyond this interest).
      - jamwil 4y ago
        What is DCS?
        sundvor 4y ago
        DCS World is a multi and single player combat simulator platform for the PC made by Eagle Dynamics, which features modules such as the A-10C, F-16, F/A-18 and the F-14. The platform is free, the modules' pricing is reflective of the development work gone in to them - and requires a lot of time to learn. Great fun.

ilyt 4y ago

Oh yes the useful and oh so important lesson that F-22 is indeed capable of disposing of not only maneuverable airborne crafts but also non-maneuverable ones! Clearly a baloon is so hard to dispose target that making sure the aircraft indeed can be up to this task is worth any money!

mensetmanusman 4y ago
In some scenarios, balloons are more difficult to shoot down than aircraft.
- cardamomo 4y ago
  Can you expand on this? What scenarios are you thinking of?
  - sundvor 4y ago
    The IR signature/target profile of a balloon contraption is very different to that of a jet exhaust, for one. Far less friction heat of movement etc + no engine. Although the X is an all aspect missile, the parameters would still be quite different. I think this is would all be firmly in the "not public domain" bucket of details though, as I haven't seen much of this modelled in DCS. (I suppose they could also have used eg a radar guided AIM-120, but they are primarily for BVR, more expensive at ~$1.1, and far, far more scope for erroneous target locking, so why risk it when the 9X obviously gets the job done. Again, from the point of view of an armchair - or a rig to be precise - sim pilot. I claim no credentials beyond this interest).
    - jamwil 4y ago
      What is DCS?
      - sundvor 4y ago
        DCS World is a multi and single player combat simulator platform for the PC made by Eagle Dynamics, which features modules such as the A-10C, F-16, F/A-18 and the F-14. The platform is free, the modules' pricing is reflective of the development work gone in to them - and requires a lot of time to learn. Great fun.