Why are we discussing an article from 2017 with no real information besides, USA number 1?
Asymmetry is the key to airpower, if you don't have it you won't have it.
Look-first shoot-first is only one kind of asymmetric advantage.
Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
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Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#12Because you're trying to shoot something flying at 500 miles an hour, piloted by a tiny lunatic who actually thought this sort of thing was a good career move and is probably on military-issued meth, with a projectile the size of your thumb, while also being the exact same sort of lunatic? :-D
Have been watching videos of DCS World (which btw, seem to do a pretty good job as a simulator) and it’s just precisely like you described. I’d say that a simulator is marginally less “lunatic” but still :)
The "Grim Reapers" videos are great fun. Love watching them occasionally with my sons.
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#13Because you're trying to shoot something flying at 500 miles an hour, piloted by a tiny lunatic who actually thought this sort of thing was a good career move and is probably on military-issued meth, with a projectile the size of your thumb, while also being the exact same sort of lunatic? :-D
But if your missiles are effective enough, they take care of the bit about finding and hitting the target for you. The article explains it as enemy forces not having anyone loony enough to think actually getting within range is going to advance their career.
I blame Joseph Heller.
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#14TLDR: Because SAMs have gotten so good at their jobs, air forces don't even bother.
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#15Because you're trying to shoot something flying at 500 miles an hour, piloted by a tiny lunatic who actually thought this sort of thing was a good career move and is probably on military-issued meth, with a projectile the size of your thumb, while also being the exact same sort of lunatic? :-D
> probably on military-issued meth
The US military issues meth? Source?
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#16TLDR: Because SAMs have gotten so good at their jobs, air forces don't even bother.
The article doesn't say that anywhere.
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#17Because you're trying to shoot something flying at 500 miles an hour, piloted by a tiny lunatic who actually thought this sort of thing was a good career move and is probably on military-issued meth, with a projectile the size of your thumb, while also being the exact same sort of lunatic? :-D
> probably on military-issued meth The US military issues meth? Source?
[deleted]
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#18Because you're trying to shoot something flying at 500 miles an hour, piloted by a tiny lunatic who actually thought this sort of thing was a good career move and is probably on military-issued meth, with a projectile the size of your thumb, while also being the exact same sort of lunatic? :-D
> probably on military-issued meth The US military issues meth? Source?
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Fox 2 Do you consent to us using your HUD telemetry for post mission analysis? The f… FOX 2 Do you consent to us using your HUD telemetry for post mission analysis? HOW DO I SAY YES?!
BBC doesn't do adverts.
I’m afraid they do. Never been outside the UK and tried to access the BBC?
Re: Why are air combat kills so rare? (2017)
#20It's mostly because conflicts are rare. The conflicts of the past 20 years were very small and asymmetrical in nature, there was no open conflict between 2 militaries that both have significant air power.