http://www.military.com/daily-...su22-over-syria.html

"A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet shot down a Syrian Su-22 on Sunday after the Soviet-era fighter-bomber dropped munitions near U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces fighters, U.S. Central Command officials confirmed.

The strike was believed to be the U.S. military's first air-to-air kill involving manned aircraft in years. The last known such instance was when a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon shot down a Serbian MiG-29 in 1999 during the Kosovo campaign.

"A Syrian regime SU-22 dropped bombs near SDF fighters south of Tabqah and, in accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces, was immediately shot down by a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet," the command said in a release."

Pilot won the lottery, fortune and glory brother!!!

Somebody's buying the beer tonight!

Outstanding!!! Good for them!

SHIT HOT!!!!

sweet - a victory

Yee haaww.... Jester's dead!

Wonder how a Super Hornet would fare mano a mano with an SU27 or SU 35?

quote:

Originally posted by msfzoe:
Wonder how a Super Hornet would fare mano a mano with an SU27 or SU 35?

Probably pretty well... though I prefer not to find out.
I do know they "game plan" against the best the Russians have.

Druge reported that it shot down the Syrian for the first time

one would hope that if you're shot down, the airplane probably can't fly again

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
Druge reported that it shot down the Syrian for the first time

one would hope that if you're shot down, the airplane probably can't fly again

Snoopy got shot down a lot...

Sierra Hotel.

Outstanding!

Sweet. That guy definitely won the filter pilot lotto.

Much like when I get frustrated with news reports of gun crimes and mass shootings where they're very vague about the weapon used, I wish they listed whether it was a Sidewinder or AMRAAM or gun kill or whatever. It's my love for details in storytelling.

Stephen W. Thompson smiles.

An F-18E against Su-22s? That's like clubbing baby seals.

On August 19, 1981, two F-14As shot down two Libyan Su-22s with Sidewinder missiles, after the Su-22s fired first. I'll venture a guess that this recent shootdown was done with an AIM-120 AMRAAM.

Against an Su-27 or Su-35 it would depend on weapons loadout, the brain controlling the hand holding the stick, and situational awareness.

In the 1991 Gulf War, a USN F-18C was shot down by a MiG-25 firing a Vympel R40 (AA-6 Acrid) missile, probably from beyond visual range. The pilot may not have realized he was being targeted.

The R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) series comes with various seekers and is carried by the Su-27/Su-35. Variants of this missile have ranges that rival that of the AIM-120 variants.

The F-18E has reduced radar signature, but the Su-27 has a more powerful radar, in terms of raw power. The F-18E radar system probably provides better situation awareness, within its effective range. The Su-27 has infrared search and track (IRST) as standard equipment, while the F-18E's IRST will reach initial operational capability in 2018.

If the F-18E somehow got to the merge with an Su-27/Su-35, things could get really interesting. They both have helmet mounted sights and high off-boresight missiles. The F-18 is known for superb low-speed handling, but the Su-27 is no slouch in that part of the envelope, either. In most configurations, the Su-27 would have a higher thrust-to-weight ratio.

My best guess: The BVR fight goes to the fighter that detects the other first, and/or the fighter that's packing a larger number of longer-range missiles. If they detect each other, or enter weapon employment zones at the same time, it may very well end up in a mutual kill. If it gets to close range, also a mutual kill. If one pilot is significant more skilled, or the other pilot makes an unforced error, that could tip the balance.

Of course, if the F-18 is supported by E-2C/D, that turns the tables with a huge situational awareness advantage for the F-18. We could talk about F-35 support, but let's save that for another thread.

Any word on what squadron the F18E was from? Regards 18DAI

quote:

Originally posted by Sundo:
Of course, if the F-18 is supported by E-2C/D, that turns the tables with a huge situational awareness advantage for the F-18. We could talk about F-35 support, but let's save that for another thread.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Even without additional support our pilots are so well trained the equipment we give them almost makes this an unfair fight. I'm all for that.

This could turn out to be a very dangerous escalation.

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Escalation my ass. You drop bombs near friendlies you follow them to the ground.

Good job.