The F-16 are also capable of stand-off munitions eg Mavericks,
glided JDAMs. Once GBU-39A/Bs SDBs and
BRU-61 multiple racks get configured onto the F-16s,
the RSAF doesn’t actually need that many aircraft to
fulfil the same amount of missions it could currently fulfil.
What RSAF could do with are more munitions though….
If RSAF can extend its underground depots to house
munitions (including those owned by US), SG can buy munitions from
US in times of need without needing to have it delivered all the
way from US (and yet save on the ownership cost) ie we provide
weapons depot services in Singapore as well….. Its a shared
services JIT concept pulling from a same supplier. At
the same time, the US doesn’t need to ship its munitions to its
frontlines all the way from US.
in my opinion i think there is a minimum number of aircraft that
any airforce should possess in order to wage an air campaign
effectively. look at the US for example, they are currently being
stretched very very thinly. and looking at future procurement 183
F-22s as their main bet for air superiority worldwide isn't
enough.
looking inwards towards our region or for most countries, unless
you need force projection then probably the requirement for
self-defence would mean that the numbers of aircraft or assets
needed could be scaled down.
but look at it this way, in any engagement you would expect
losses. so let's say you load up an F16 or even a F35 with its full
load of air-to-ground weapons. maybe you're expecting say 6 or more
SDBs for example for a minimum of 1 bomb per target. if that
aircraft gets shot down unfortunately then how? the other aircraft
on that mission might have targets of its own to hit so you're
already like 6 target kills less. its like loading all your
eggs in 1 basket. i think its more prudent to spread out the loads
over slightly more aircraft so that loss of aircraft in an
engagement would not render your mission ineffective?
if you look at the US, when they go on a typical mission
its like 4 aircraft tasked for Sweep, maybe 4 or 8 aircraft for
strike, another 2 for SEAD, 2 more for rear sweep or escort.. thats
already about 12 to 16 aircraft just for one mission to guarantee
enough bombs to hit the target and usually you're looking at
several targets within the vicinity, real case scenario would prob
be more. of course we're only talking about legacy fighters like
F15s, 16s and 18s and the rest of the conventional type of aircraft
we have. F35s would be a significant asset to any airforce but you
do still require a significant amount of them as their inner
payload isn't that great, and if you want to add pylons outside to
carry more then it defeats the whole purpose of them being stealth.
:S
just my 2c worth :P the more aircraft the better!! haha
