Super Hornets: I don't get it

"David Moss" wrote in message
.. .
In article ,
writes...

You don't send strikers in on their own. That's what EW is for. Did you
know
that there is a Wild Weasel version of the Super Hornet going into
production. (The EA18G "Growler") that will replace the EA6 Prowler and
the
(now retired) EF111 Raven.

Just imagine, a EW platform with 100% in common with the rest of the
strike
package.

Electronic Warfare packs emit radio signals designed to jam or confuse
enemy radar. Notice the word "emit". Anything that emits RF can be
triangulated using very basic equipment.

That's why you separate your Weasels from your strikers.

Thats the downside of using EW: you let people know precisely where you
are. Generally people leave EW
packs

Hmmm, yeah, on-board EW kits, yes. I was talking about dedicated EW
aircraft. The ones with the really good EW voodoo.

turned off unless they have an urgent and immediate need to jam or
confuse. An incoming missile is about the only reason to turn it on.

Yeah, that's the self-defence EW kit. I'm talking about SEAD-type EW
platforms like the EA-18F Growler.

That still have to find their targets to kill them. F18F's are stealthier
than Su30's.

But not as stealthy as 40 year old F111s.

An FA18 is less observable than a barn-door RCS F111? Since when?

Or the SU24 for that matter.

I think you made a typo. Or did you actually mean the F111ski?

The Russians plan to replace their SU24s with SU34s about the same time
our F111s stop flying. They are currently in low number production.

Su24? The Cold War swing-wing ground attack aircraft? The F111ski?

The SU34, which is not currently an option for anyone but Russia, is a
true F111 replacement. It is a long range fighter bomber that allegedly
has a semi stealthy shape

Doubtful. It doesn't exhibit much of the faceting you normally see on a low
RCS airframe.

and low level terrain following capability.

You do realise that terrain following is a good ground-based radar counter
measure, but not so good against a decent look-down radar on say....
Wedgetail?


--
"Don't believe everything you think".