- 18 Aug 2012 07:51
#14034841
The f-22 is fairly capable at dog fighting and it is maneuverable. It's a problem with thrust vectoring and the Russian planes have the same or at least similar problems. The problem with thrust vectoring and the resulting energy lost but can also be a strength. Its a matter of pilot training and specifically training pilots to avoid those situations caused by thrust vectoring that can leave you an easy target.
This could have been caused by several things. Disadvantages imposed by the red flag operation, overconfidence on part of the F-22 pilots, or lack of training time for F-22 pilots due to the problems recently or just less veteran pilots.
But my best guess is that German pilots and really most western pilots are very well trained to take advantage of the weaknesses of thrust vectoring. US/western dog fighting tactics have been largely designed around fighting Russians who until recently have been the primary users of thrust vectoring. At the same time thrust vectoring is a new concept for American pilots, the F-22 being the first fighter jet to introduce it and the doctrine is likely still being developed and updated.
Not to mention the more up to date systems the typhoon uses as people mentioned above. But claiming that one plane is better then another because its update/development cycle is a bit faster is bogus. The f-22 has a lot of upgrades coming its way if they work out. But as a long term upgradeable platform as fighter jets have to be I'd prefer the f-22 over the typhoon.
That said the F-22 isn't nor will ever be invincible.
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