Lightning vs….

Hello all,

Quick question on the X vs Y debate here.

How do you think some of the 80’s “Cold War” fighters would get on in a combat situation with more modern equipment?

My thinking is something like this,

I read somewhere about a excersise where BA offered a Concorde as a target for a training exercise involving F-15, F-16, Lightning etc. Only the Lightning was able to complete a “catch up” to effect a kill.

50,000+ ft/minute climb rate is still pretty good nowadays

Supercruise capability

Acceleration “off the line” was stated to be greater than F-15

Maximum altitude was stated in press releases as 60,000ft+, but recently released statements include a report of a Lightning hitting 88,000ft.

I know, avionics, armament flexibility and range/endurance all play their part, but I am thinking mainly in terms of aerodynamic performance in this scenario.

For example, if you could upgrade a Lightning to modern avionic standards and put it up against something akin to a Gripen / F-15/ Typhoon / F-22 or whatever with the same armament, how would it pan out?

Probably a daft question but hey

Matt