I’m not disagreeing with you, just pointing out that European public opinion shouldn’t be a deciding factor if the US goes to war. Anyway, back on topic now 😀

If you want to go that route, that the majority of the US (or whatever country’s people) want to go to war doesn’t make a very good cause for a war either if you ask me.

Nic

Why are people having trouble with this. It cannot be more clear.

Raptor = Bird of prey.

Go to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/raptor

From the very link you posted:

“2. Any of various mostly small, slender, carnivorous dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period. Raptors had hind legs that were adapted for leaping and large, curved claws used for grasping and tearing at prey. Raptors were probably related to birds, and some even had feathers.”

:diablo:

I doubt anyone who reads this forum will be suprised or shocked in any way by that, he talks alot of nonsense and is well known for it.

Weren’t you known for the same before you changed your nickname?

Nic

And that’s a real high-threat environment with all the camel spit flying.

Your mighty F35 couldn’t even face those yet :diablo:

This thread is not about Rafale and I really don’t wan’t to get off track

Nice try but my comment was a reply to another comment. I didn’t drag the Rafale in the debate. You guys dragged the F35 in as being the be all end all of warplanes, yet it’s still vapourware and nowhere to be seen on frontlines anytime soon, which was exactly my point.

HOWEVER IT IS A FACT THAT Rafale is not cleared to release any A2G munition that requires targeting such as LGBs. It is a fact that none of the pros including the French ones feel comfortable having the Rafale perform A2G in a combat situation on it’s own and at night or in adverse weather yet. I expect that to change one day but that day is not here yet and the only reason why it is being brought up is to correct you

How are you going to use a LGB in adverse weather? The very point of INS/GPS weapons is to be accurate in all weather, including adverse weather when a LGB can’t be used. :confused:

During that first engagement the Rafale used AASM BECAUSE there were too much clouds for GBU-12 to be used. A flight of Mirage 2000D with GBU12 couldn’t have helped those canadians where the Rafales could. Quite the contrary to the nonsense you’ve been spouting.

Nic

Indeed this is the second time Rafales deploy to Afghanistan. It is also the second time Rafales need to fly only in daylight and have Mirage 2000s do target designation.

Rafales needs the Mirage 2000 to designate targets only to fire GBUs. It operated already with (INS GPS guided) AASM last year, which is the Rafale’s main AtoG weapon, and which doesn’t require external designation. First use of the AASM was on 19th april 2008 with two being fired successfully from 10 kms away on a bunker 200m from canadian troops being fired upon. The weapon has most probably been used again when use of GBU12 was hampered by bad weather or the lack of buddy lasing support.

Nic

“You go to war with the army you have—not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.” Rummy.

Change that to Airforce and it still keeps its meaning, my point being these ‘oh the AESA will be ready in 2012’ or ‘the Block __ will be delivered in 2015’ is of no use during the present and does not alter facts. Thats what alot don’t realise. It all means nothing if it comes to late.

Thanks for defending the eurocanards then.

Rafales equipped with AASM are already providing CAS over Afghanistan. Where’s the F35?