- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: spesalfred
One problem about your surface area theory, this is the year 2525, not 1940. In current day jet warfare, there is almost no dogfighting anymore. Most battles are over before they happen, like with aircraft such as the lockheed raptor. I sense that the furture will lie in larger aircraft with more firepower, capable of launching many self guiding missles. As our ability to fly higher and higher grows, Ground fire would pretty much be factored out, so surface area, has almost no bearing.
While its true that dog fighting doesnt take place as much anymore it doesnt mean that aircraft wouldnt have the cabability to dogfight. That would be a mistake to not keep fighters fast and manuverable. Also dont count ground fire out of the picture just yet. Current missile systems can fly faster and higher then lots of aircraft.
Yes, we need air craft capable of dogfighting because not every enemy Europe and America fight will be third world(third world nations don't have air forces to speak of). Non third world nations will have air forces that can intercept bombers so fighter are needed.
[Edited on 6/10/2006]