Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 7/20/2011

Question
QUESTION: With the recent news about the US F-35 program and reduction in numbers procured, I was wondering what is the fighter requirement for the US?

Is it better to have large numbers of smaller, less capable fighters or small numbers of very capable fighter aircraft? What sort of future combat is envisaged - surely not a Battle of Britain style dogfight scenario?

What asking is that it seems very strange for the United States to order a large number of capable fighters, then cut the order down, and leave the United States admittedly with fewer fighters than they say was required.

ANSWER: Hi there,
That is really good question. Requirements for US figter programs as you could imagine always delivered to companies that are in bidding process for sale of theirs aircrafts. Essentially, those requirements are quite a bit harder to reach unles you are in circle of companies that actually in bidding process.
Regarding your another part of question. Dog fights type air duel is generally more less diminished as modern capabilities of avionics and weaponry are incorporated in figter jets. For at least last 10 years modern Air to air missiles are designed to take enemy aircraft from distances 20 miles or further.
However, in modern design of UAV (unmaned aerial vehicles) like Predator and making more sense to use on modern battlefield vs. figter jets. As technology improves production prices for smaller UAV are getting lower vs. prices for advanced figter jets, not including training pilots infrastructuter and similar.
I think cuts in order for large order for advanced fighters are political decision.

Ismar



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What is the plan for defence of a country such as the United States or Canada? What are the potential threats? Russia?

Answer
Thanks for question. That is interesting question that I can only guess. As I have mention before, use of UAV will be definetelly be general role in airfield battles. So far miniaturization of UAV will be next wave of use on battle fields, it is known fact that UAV are very often used by one solder/operator who actually carry an UAV in backpack and it is able to lauch it from hand. New wave miniature UAV are capable for intelligence survelance of battle field and all data is updated directly on your portable Ipod type devices.
Regarding threats, Russia has stopped been threat since end of cold war. Although there is more serious threat of terrorism.

Ismar