Palmyrion wrote:The Technocratic Syndicalists wrote:
Take any ASF and strap a targeting pod to it and maybe do some software wizardry to give to give its radar a SAR mode. Boom, ground attack aircraft. And because it's an ASF it doesn't require escort, it's a win-win.
The only purpose built ground attack worth having is called a strategic bomber.
Next ASF is going to be a 5th gen
So, 5th-gen ASF that can switch from ground attack to air superiority mode just by flicking on SAR mode and attaching/detaching targeting pod when needed? Can I start saying goodbye to my Flankers the moment my 5th gen ASF starts rolling off the production lanes?
If you expect it to engage in ground attack missions, why are you designing it to use targeting pods? Just integrate the sensors directly and do away with the pods, as in F-35.
And no, you can't really retire the Flankers immediately because introducing a totally new fighter will require years for those new squadrons to reach full operational efficiency as pilots and support staff become accustomed to their new planes and the new maintenance and support procedures are finally tested in a large scale and evaluated to improve efficiency. And this presumes no flaws or other problems are discovered that might suddenly delay further production.
Only once you know the fifth gen program is well in hand, the kinks are worked out, and the squadrons fully up to par and ready for combat should you start retiring your existing planes, since in the interim, they are the ones still bearing the burden of your air defense. You might start transitioning squadrons from one aircraft to the other and putting the old aircraft in storage, but they wouldn't be dumped immediately and it would be a slow process as the air force transitions crews over. Crew training is actually one of the biggest bottlenecks in introducing new aircraft, and it's one of the USAF's biggest hurdles in regards to the F-35.