Cadet985 From United States of America, joined Mar 2002, 1408 posts, RR: 5 Posted (10 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1878 times:
I am a high school senior in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). In my school district, all seniors must complete a large research project. Mine is titled "Top Flight - the Best Aircraft of the Current US Military." I need people to tell me their favorites in the following categories, from the choices that follow them.
Galaxy5 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 2034 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (10 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1822 times:
um, i like the C-5 galaxy and the B-52 stratofortress.
"damn, I didnt know prince could Ball like that" - Charlie Murphy
Lt-AWACS From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (10 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 1812 times:
well I might have to go with the standard Weapons school Answer of it depends, but will say the following from my experiace mission planning and controlling the following aircraft.
This is from your catagories so here goes:
Attack: The AC-130, yes the A-10 can swing role more, and their Sandy roles in Rescort is important but the Spectres work wonderers on from any side ofthe FEBA.
Bombers: the BUFF would be my pick with a very close second to the B-2, when certain new weapons, especially the Small diamter bomb come online fully Ill go with the B-2 but for now with currents weapons in most theatres the B-52 is still the best asset.
Cargo: Tough call, cant beat the old Herky bird in most small theaters but for large scale the C-17s and C-5 do most heavylift.
AEW: do I need to even post here, bias aside the E-3 is by far the most capable, our ESM suite even gives us our 'mini-Rivet Joint' cape, plus more radios and controllers than the E-2, with a Maratime cape in the C models. My J-Starss cousins still have some kinks to work out in full ops. The E-4 doesn't do much in these areas.
Fighter: Wow broad catagory. Even with its age the F-15C are the the Air to Air fighter of choice for CAOCs in the US. Since that is its sole function, the piltos are trained to it and live it everymission. They know how to work with us on AWACS and integrate JTIDs for the best targeting around. All the fighters are capable to some degree. The best swing role in My opinion is the F-16CJs ie.e Block 50s as they do jamming rescort,air to air, etc. I have found working with them the most flexible. The new strike Hornet 18E/Fs I have worked with dissapoint in that they are a jack of all trades and master of none. However over time and if they get JTIDS that will improve. The Buddy refueling has helped us many times solve gas issues.
Helo: I am not as well worked with the Helos as planes but I will go with the old Blackhawk due to the many services it performs.
Tanker: Well the 135s are the workhorses but the KC-10s are much mroe usefull when we have them up. I have done Tanker control for hours over several theatres and the Brits KC-1s and our KC-10s are the best assets to 'keep it up'
well I hope this rant all makes since. I am going to go hit hte Eggnog. Happy Christmas and/or Holidays to all.
AAR90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 3410 posts, RR: 50 Reply 4, posted (10 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1798 times:
>" I need people to tell me their favorites in the following categories, from the choices that follow them.
Wow, Favorites? Hmmm, I'd have to bias my choices toward the most flexible (i.e. useful) platforms in each category.
Attack aircraft: A-10 Thunderbolt. By far the most flexible platform listed.
Bomber: B-52 Stratofortress. Again, the most flexible platform listed.
Cargo/transport: C-17 Globemaster III. My guess since I don't keep real close tabs on current capabilities. I suspect the longer range & higher speeds will compensate for the C-130's better short/unimproved field performance in today's world.
Electronic WarfareAWACS: E-3 Sentry. My heart is with the Hawkeye (2000+ hours), but the E-3 has better airframe (can actually go somewhere), system, upgrade program, and the 20+ years of USN x-training (60 years of AEW experience) the crews have gotta be equal. All others listed are "one-off" specialty systems.
Fighter: F15C. For the air superiority role, there is none better. F14 was more interceptor than fighter; F15E, F16 and F/A18 belong in the attack category (that's their primary role). F-117 is an expensive specialty night attack bird.
Helicopter: H60. The best multi-role airframe.
Tanker: KC10. By far the most versatile tanker yet flown. The receivers much prefer it to all others.
*NO CARRIER* -- A Naval Aviator's worst nightmare!
FlagshipAZ From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3419 posts, RR: 15 Reply 5, posted (10 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1812 times:
My choices...
Attack - Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt...tankbusting is its game.
Bomber - Boeing B-52 Stratofortress...40 yrs of service & 744 ships speak for itself.
Cargo - Lockheed C-130 Hercules...closest thing to a modern-day Gooney Bird.
AWACS - Boeing E-3 Sentry...all the high-tech in a nice package.
Fighter - Lockheed F-16 Viper...cheap, quick & lots of punch pound for pound.
Helicopter - Bell UH-1 Huey...the Gooney Bird of Choppers. Look at Vietnam.
Tanker - McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender...a flying oil field & its support staff.
Honorable mention for a recon aircraft - Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird...nothing can catch it.
Good luck on your project. Regards.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin
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