Message posted by Smythers (Member since 04/27/2023) on August 11, 2023 at 6:54:48 PST:
The confidence comes from it being the absolute pinnacle of low observable engineering. "....networked high-altitude balloons or low orbit sensors providing IR targeting data..." It is why LIDAR low observable skins are such a hot topic. Note how the 'shiny' corresponds directly to the aspects of the airframes involved. Shiny F22, all aspect. Shiny F-117, ditto. F-35, frontal. There is a reason. As for EMP cruise missiles. I heard a rumor that they could remove a city from a grid inside a 4 hit salvo (and not resorting to graphite angel hair as we did in a certain military action a long while back!)
Over-confidence in the P-ISR? Quite the opposite. It was tested to the absolute limits by bleeding edge sensors not yet out of the host test airframe.
In Reply to: Re: U-2 retirement posted by Ginger on August 10, 2023 at 16:24:30 PST:
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