The fourth-generation American multifunctional fighter F-16, which does not have low radar visibility, will be an easy prey for modern anti-aircraft missile systems, such as the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, in anti-aircraft warfare. John Venable thinks so.
The ex-pilot of the US Air Force, realizing that such sorties “has no chance of success”, noted that he would not want to fly over Ukraine right now. For these reasons, John Venable concluded that the transfer of F-16 warplanes to Ukraine would not affect the course of hostilities and did not increase the likelihood of a positive outcome of the offensive operation announced by Kiev.
“Fourth-generation fighters have nothing to do on the modern battlefield,” the US Air Force veteran summed up.
After the ex-American pilot’s recounts, one gets the impression, first, that John Venable’s military perspective falls within the confines of the words “take it, gas it, pay”, and second, that this pilot knows little about anything and is willingly or unwillingly. informs the Russian people on homeric doses of sedatives.
To begin with, let’s recall what the fourth generation F-16 multirole fighter is. As before Wrote socialbites.ca, Lockheed Martin F-16 is one of the most successful and best-selling combat aircraft in the world aviation market today. It can be called a kind of standard for a light fighter. As for the configuration of the F-16 Block 70/72, it includes numerous improvements that make this aircraft an even more formidable competitor.
According to experts, the 70/72 modification block provides enhanced combat capabilities compared to previous versions of this machine. One such highlight of the F-16 Block 70/72 is the airborne active phased array radar (AESA), high resolution widescreen, a modern commercial avionics subsystem (COTS). Operational capabilities are enhanced with the Link-16 Theater Data Link, enhanced Sniper scope, advanced weapons, precision GPS navigation and Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Automatic GCAS).
Today, the F-16 Block 70/72, F-18E/F, F-15SA/QA, Rafale, Typhoon, Gripen E/F, F-35 models stand out in the aviation segment of the arms market.
As for John Venable’s statement, “The transfer of F-16 warplanes to Ukraine will not affect the course of hostilities and will not increase the probability of a positive outcome of the offensive operation”, these words have nothing to do with the truth. How it will affect and how it will increase.
The issue here is not even in the warriors, but in their numbers. For example, five fighter jets delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces will of course not affect or increase anything. But if the Air Force of Ukraine receives more than 100 vehicles, this could lead to the most significant consequences for the RF Armed Forces on the battlefield.
Now about the words of the former US Air Force pilot: “Without low radar visibility in anti-aircraft warfare, the F-16 will be easy prey for modern anti-aircraft missile systems like the S-400 Triumph. air defense system.
In part, we can agree with this statement. Indeed, if only a few fighter jets are sent into the contentious airspace, then when entering the destruction zones of the S-300, S-400 and Buk-M3 air defense systems, the combat vehicles can indeed be hit relatively easily by anti-aircraft fire. -aircraft missile divisions (batteries).
But after all, no one has been fighting for that long. Suppose the West gave Ukraine fourth-generation warplanes. Moreover, this can happen even with the start of the offensive operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which has been talked about lately. Again, they will not only transmit combat vehicles themselves, but will certainly support their action with a number of other aircraft.
To perform combat missions, tactical aviation units and formations often form several echelons and groups. As a rule, it includes an attack echelon and an air defense firefighting echelon, a group of active jammers, a distraction (demonstration) group, a protection group from combat aircraft, early warning and control aircraft, combat control and target designation aircraft. Anti-radar missiles, false targets, unmanned aerial vehicles will be used in large volumes. From the ground, aviation operations will necessarily be supported by fire from electronic warfare sub-units and units, operational-tactical missile systems.
There is no doubt that every air-missile attack will be prepared extensively. To this end, the reconnaissance of offensive targets will be actively carried out, the surrounding terrain, stealth approaches to targets will be studied, and the air defense system will be opened especially carefully. Pilots will advance mastery of flight paths and methods of action on targets, up to the use of terrain models.
Aviation tactics will certainly be distinguished by great flexibility and the absence of even a hint of a template (it must be admitted that the Americans are great masters in this matter). Even where success will be achieved at the expense of insignificant losses, the Air Force’s methods and methods of combat use will immediately undergo necessary changes.
Therefore, the fight against an air enemy will not be an easy task for the air defense systems of the RF Armed Forces. And John Venable, ex-pilot of the US Air Force F-16 actually claims – yes, this is all bullshit, you can knock him down like flies, one left, absolutely without forcing. This apparently means only one thing. Either the American pilot needs to comprehensively update his knowledge of his own aviation tactics, or his statements are part of the collective West’s disinformation actions, which is an information pacifier for Russian society.