Comments on: Another KF-16 Crash

By: jodi

jodi — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:58:55 +0000

Sorry…I mean to say things they “shouldn’t be doing…”

My bad.

By: jodi

jodi — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:58:22 +0000

I have been told by those who are very familiar with these incidents that it is not so much a case of poor maintanance but as one person said before, it’s more about poor training. I have also been told that pilots have been doing things they “should be doing” when flying these things. (Read between the lines on that cryptic reponse - your guess is as good as mine.)

By: French Quarter

French Quarter — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 20:33:54 +0000

#12

South Koreans do not have inferiority complex toward Japan. South Korea, like China does, expects that there could be a possible military confrontation with Japan in the future based on the past experiences. This is arguably a practical, not emotional, reason for South Korea to want to get F-22. If Japan gets F-22, then why South Korea would want to purchase F-15 instead of F-22?

By: Railwaycharm

Railwaycharm — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 08:03:01 +0000

The problem here is they do not train this mission in the simulator. They get out over the water at night, get vertigo, and pull the aircraft up into the ocean. It is a preventable accident.

By: Hwarang

Hwarang — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 05:12:07 +0000

FQ #11, the South Koreans only want it because Japan will have something better, and it’s a blow to the Korean inferiority complex (especially versus Japan). Their response that they may not buy the F15 if Japan gets the F22 is an emotional, temper-tantrum response.

You don’t hear Koreans screaming that they need the B-2 bomber. Besides, if they can’t maintain F16’s, they surely won’t be able to maintain F22’s.

By: French Quarter

French Quarter — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:32:58 +0000

South Korea seeks to get F-22 Raptor:

http://english.peopledaily.com.....70656.html

By: mins0306

mins0306 — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:45:05 +0000

I am just curious, but why would Korea need a jet other than the F-16? I thought it is sufficient to squash anything the Nork’s could fly and flexible enough to engage in a variety of missions to meet denfensive capabilities.

You are correct, ROKAF’s current fleet of 132 F/KF-16C/Ds are more than enough to deal with the North Koreans. Even if the ROKAF decided to retire its F-4s and 5s, the ROKAF will have more capable and flyable fighters than the KPAAF while reducing the fighter force to a single type will help matters in terms of reduced upkeep costs and maintenance.

But as globalvillageidiot stated, the ROKAF is more worried about the JASDF and the PLAAF than the KPAAF. Which is why it is buying the F-15K and planning to buy the F-35A in the 2015 ~ 20 timeframe.

There’s also the issue of numbers. For some reason, the ROKAF believes that it should maintain a 350 plane fighter force of several types, which is why it is not phasing out its F-4s and 5s. Which IMO, I find strange because as I stated earlier the KF/F-16s are more than enough. What I also find strange is the ROKAF’s unwillingness to upgrade its F-4s and 5s with new avionics considering that they made a conscious decision of keeping them way past their prime.

Anyways, what the above policy has resulted is an increased maintainence burden, and judging from the recent scandal, the ROKAF has not been able to hack it.

By: nospam

nospam — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 09:15:58 +0000

This is another “at night, over water mishap”. Ask any military pilot, Navy Air Force, about ACM training at night over water….

Since the crew’s safe recovery has not been reported in the news, it probably won’t be.

ROK Air Force maintenance shortfalls might be an issue here. But it may well be that they were training at the edge of the envelope. Which is what any competent professional will do. Risk be damned!

My sympathies go out to their families.

By: MrChips

MrChips — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:35:22 +0000

I should state too, the F-15K is absolutely not designed for A2A combat. It will in fact only carry defensive A2A missiles and its systems were not designed for Area defense.

By: MrChips

MrChips — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:33:21 +0000

The reason for acquiring “a jet other than the F-16″ is for strike capability. The F-16, when piloted effectively is superior to anything the Norks have for air-to-air combat, however, it has nowhere near the ability of the F-15E, which is what the F-15K is based on, for dropping large numbers of precision guided munitions. After taking care of the air threat, the South Korean Air Force would like the ability to hit targets on the ground more effectively. I just hope they take better care of the 15K’s then they have the 16’s.