frankp

George,

That's a bit rude as I read it. If that's not how you intended, that's understandable. "Decades behind" is a mild exaggeration, but not by much. The general rule of thumb from my background (in 27 years associated with the US Air Force and 10 more years with DoD as a whole) is that Russians (in their heyday) were about 10 years behind and the Chinese were well behind that. If that has changed, my point still stands--name one. The only Russian fighter that ever came close to matching a comparable era US fighter was the MIG-29 (and it was actually ahead in terms of certain capabilities despite the original design still being based on US systems.) Again, the Chinese fighters have been typically Russian built planes with some exceptions. The bombers they have produced in the past were exceptional, but their new equipment is so far behind that they've taken the Bears out of retirement... there is no major worry about them any time in the near term.

"Come abreast in the near term" with what capabilities, and by whose estimates? The information I've read doesn't project that kind of likelihood about the Chinese. If by "near term" you mean 20-30 years, then I'll agree with that. That, however, is a whole generation of aircraft and plenty of time to plan for it. Just because we're not spending ridiculous sums on the F-22 doesn't mean we (the defense contractors) aren't still designing future aircraft.

If you have references you feel I should read, I'd be happy to avail myself of new information, but what I can find in our military library and online says my information is accurate.

I will agree with you on the TDY though. :)

__________________
"I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!"

--Theodore Roosevelt

rrbrown

Hey Frank don't you kow the Marines are the only branch to fight on Land in the Air and Sea. If the Air Force or Navy don't like some of those "outdated" aircraft we'll take um like everything else that gets handed down to us. It's a fact The Marines are the only branch that does not get a direct budget. We rely on the Navy to give us an allowance.

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Semper Fi
Richard

Once A Marine Always A Marine.

Some choose to study history, but Marines choose to create history.

ACP

I think you mean FAP'd . But seriously, I think I see the problem. You were over at PI/Beaufort and you live in LA. I assume this means you are a product of PI? Obviously an inferior earlier design. I was rolled off the assembly line in MCRD San Diego so that explains the disparity! Kidding obviously, but I am not suprised at the different lexicon of terms, especially considering you served in the, what, late 80's early 90's and I was the late 90's early 2000's. Hearing TAD, TDY, etc. has jogged the memory. Lots of ways to say it.

Regarding the F-22, posts are getting hot around here . So like I said, she's a cool bird!

rrbrown

I did go to San Diego and your right on the time frame. I refer to it as old corps and the new corps.

__________________
Semper Fi
Richard

Once A Marine Always A Marine.

Some choose to study history, but Marines choose to create history.

ACP

Ah yes. Well played sir. I would be careful what you call old corps around here though as I am wagering there are some salts around here that make us both look like shower shoes! But that is a topic for a whole new thread. I would be curious who our oldest vet is on here though......Semper Fi!