JimNtexas said:
The point was not that we're going to war with India. But the lessons learned apply to every country in the world. Just because we don't have proof of capability, dosen't mean they don't have it. We got our EW asses whipped by India and we didn't think any other country really trained to it. If you have access, read the classified reports.
As far as the 250 lb JDAMS... their not designed soley for the 22. You seen the weapns bay on that thing? It can hold a lot more than you think. Today's CAS missions are more often than not in an urban enviroment where collateral damage is a huge consideration. We can't just go chucking 1K or even 500 pound bombs at targets. 250 lb munitions allow a much more surgical attack without taking out the surrounding neighborhood. Plus something like a Hornet can carry more than two, and with a tanker near by your increase the loiter time and decrease the number of jets that have to be utilized.
As far as MANPADS are concerned, I know of no cheap IR weapon thats got a 25K foot reach, unless their standing on a mountain. In which case no one, Raptor or not is gonna be hanging out down that low. And the F-22 has a much much lower IR signature than just about anything else out there.
