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Jedno meze  F-18 C vs Tajfun. Pitanje je samo u kolikoj meri ovo vazi i dalje za Super Hornet jer je otezao dosta u odnosi na Hornet i pored jacih motora.
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Citat:Though similar in size and weight, the Hornet and Typhoon are at opposite ends of the performance spectrum in almost every regard. The differences are analogous to a pair of gladiators each poised for battle, where one fights with a net and trident and the other a shield and scabbard. Both are effective yet employed very differently. Ultimately, the fighter with superior skills and motivation will win the day. Transitioning from the F/A-18C to the Typhoon reinforced this axiom of aerial combat for me. Both aircraft have eye-watering performance, capable of creating a ‘thunderclap of surprise’ among unassuming adversaries, as well as subtle vulnerabilities that, if not well guarded, can be disadvantageous when exploited by an opponent.
The hallmark of the F/A-18C is its unmatched ability to fight and maneuver at speeds slower than evening traffic on the motorway (freeway). The maturity and reliability of its flight control software and aerodynamically designed leading-edge extensions (LEX) provide the Hornet pilot with the ability to virtually stop in mid-air just long enough to force an opponent in front. The Hornet basic fighter maneuvers
(BFM) experience is often a series of violent yet co-ordinated throws of the control stick, throttles and rudder pedals. At precisely the right moment, the Hornet pilot will pivot and orient his nose and weapon engagement zone (WEZ) in any conceivable aspect, bringing missiles or guns to bear on the enemy in mere seconds. In the Hornet, I want my opponent to go fast and arc around the sky, highlighting his feats of strength. This makes him much more predictable as the high airspeed and turn rate make it nearly impossible for him to markedly alter his flight path. The experienced Hornet pilot need only visualize where to put his nose and the aircraft will follow. Every fighter pilot in the world respects the nose authority of the F/A-18. If you mess with a Hornet, you are going to get stung.
The Typhoon pilot’s mindset is in stark contrast to that relating to the Hornet. Where the Hornet pilot relies on minimizing elapsed time in the fight in order to achieve a quick kill, the Typhoon pilot relies upon raw performance and stamina to evade and eventually ‘bleed’ the energy of his opponent. The Typhoon BFM experience is speed, g, patience and turn rate. In the Typhoon, I want my opponent to slow down and forfeit airspeed as time is now on my side. The brute strength of the Typhoon places it in a league of its own, just as the adverts proclaim. Though potent in the right hands, F-16s and F-15s are not comparable and most often find themselves executing defensive break turns and guns jinks when pitted against a savvy Typhoon pilot. For them, they know that allowing the fight to progress beyond the
second or third merge is a waste of fuel.
Moreover, pylon configuration and external fuel stores are of no consequence in the BFM arena for the Typhoon; you don’t even notice it. Selecting maximum afterburner in the Typhoon is rather disturbing for the first time. It is the Gene Simmons of high-turn-rate fighters. For example, when reheat is selected above 440kt, even with full aft stick control input at 9g, the aircraft will begin rapidly to accelerate, causing its turn circle steadily to increase. The only way to slow down is to throttle back. In fact, one of the most emphasized skill sets Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit instructors instill in the students is managing the awesomeness. Even taxiing, the aircraft uses only idle power, as the speed can increase rapidly if not continually monitored. This ample power excess arms the Typhoon pilot with the ability to match an aggressive slow-speed fighter like the Hornet, if he plays his cards right. The Typhoon’s ability to regain airspeed, and thus energy, is nearly instant, placing even the most well-seasoned dissimilar opponent squarely inside the horns of a dilemma. If a fighter pilot wants to gain tally of a Typhoon post-merge, my recommendation is to first dispense flares, then look behind the wing on the inside of your turn. He’ll be nestled there — fact!
And the winner is…
No BFM sortie is ever conducted in a vacuum and no two pilots are the same. In nearly every scenario, victory will be achieved by the aircraft with the most experienced pilot at the controls. It would be a one-off’ event were a junior Hornet pilot to saddle in the control zone of a senior Typhoon pilot, and vice versa. There are assumptions that can be made by superimposing graphs of performance data but this still does not necessarily paint an accurate picture. It all boils down to the pilot. This being said, I have had the privilege of fighting in both the Typhoon and the Hornet in the BFM arena as an instructor. The Typhoon is pure thrust and turn rate. The Hornet is pure agility and turn radius. Merging with either in combat is a death wish.
In the event a Typhoon and Hornet had pilots whose experiences were evenly matched and ‘had a go’ at lower altitudes, I am of the opinion that the Hornet pilot would be able to generate the first, yet fleeting, window of opportunity to shoot. When that window of opportunity slams shut, it’s ‘tea and crumpets’. Assuming the same caveats at higher altitudes, I do believe it would be rather enjoyable for the Typhoon pilot.
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