(Can I say it?) At 18:38, I think they're referring to a comment in Dan Hampton's 2012 work "Viper Pilot," in which he refers to a HARM as a waste of a weapon station because he wasn't 'sure' they hit anything.
Starbaby mentioned LtCol. Steve Heil (CC 3552 FS), I was on that deployment to Dhahran, 81 FS, 1991-1992 as a maintainer. LtCol. Heil wore an old school Vietnam era flight helmet covered in camo duct tape. So were the trips to Bahrain . Fond memories.
Another good interview. Pretty much agree with everything SB said about the culture of the WW mission being lost during the hand-over to F-16 with the HTS (HARM targeting system). The very difficult reality about the SEAD mission is that a SEAD platform, once fielded, has a certain Radar Cross Section. That RCS will remain constant for about the 20 year life of the platform. However, the same radar system can be upgraded by processor and software so that it advances tremendously over the same period. The arrival of various types of AI applied to air defenses is frightening. 25 years ago when threat radars became capable of processing targets in the clutter (not talking about pulse doppler, I’m talking about processing in the noise), that is with a target signal LESS than the background noise, we suddenly became aware that stealth was not going to win the war. Stealth can be defeated by a variety of techniques. These techniques are decades old. Likely, SAM operators are keeping these technologies extremely secret. But there is NO DOUBT that SAMs will become more lethal when AI is applied to signal processing, and tactical operations such as targeting. I flew with SB at Nellis and enjoyed his sense of humor and very obvious intelligence. Nice to hear that he is doing well and his brain is still sharp. Being an ex WW is a weird thing, because the training we had was so intense that we never really went away: we watch wars and immediately understand what is happening regarding the SEAD/SAM battle. The APR 47 was an amazing system and it granted those who sat behind it a level of understanding that lasts. Best of luck, Mike//Hoops Hooper.
And would be found quickly irrelevant by the time AI get fielded. as well as those of stealth defeating "theories" Bcuz there a massive difference between "theory" and reality. And listening to guy that would get you killed.
As a former Weasel crew chief at GAFB, I have waited and hoped since Desert Storm that someone, anyone would take enough interest in our mission, our weapons platform to either put something meaty in print or do what you're doing. Hands down the best in depth F-4G content I've ever seen. I can't thank you enough.
As a nuclear operator in the Navy i really feel that keyboard warrior thing you guys were talking about at 40:15, it can be really frustrating being told im wrong about my profession. Loved the video 🤘
I am rewatching all the Starbaby content you have. I feel like I learn more every time I watch. It's nice watching the YT. For years I only listened on Spotify, which isn't quite as good for things like, the F-4G rear seat switchology. 😂
Excellent. Can you guys do an analysis on Soviet take on SEAD and how their weapon systems have come up...especially the HTS equivalent pods on the Su-24 and Su-25. And how it plays out in their sense of air campaign execution.
I'm assuming you're talking about the 494th EFS. It's not clear that the did know that, and I think in all cases where I was in the flight the adversaries were not expecting attack. In the case of the AGM-130, the AGM had a very useful standoff range. If you were talking about the F-4G, the enemy did shoot, but all of the threat systems could only handle one target at a time.
My mother's side of the family is Serbian, I think Starbabys theory might be correct, at that time that was the talk back then, "they hit the Chienese embassy on purpose, that was no accident!, they could do the same thing with the national Assembly or the Presidents bunker next!" etc etc,,it may have played a role in the capitualtion.
Love the stuff you do with Starbaby. I,m going to have to get Mengs F-4G model kit and build it( as a model builder). Can’t wait for F-4G series. Thanks Steve.
On the F-35 baiting unlocated SAM units to clear the way ahead of strikers... If a clean F-35 wants to directly trawl for SAM, couldn't it just open its inboard weapon station doors (the ones with the dedicated AMRAAM spots) to temporarily increase its RCS? Nice big cavity for a surface radar to look up into. Or even all four bay doors if it wants to look even bigger. We know those doors can be open selectively through airshow and other photo ops.
The priority mission set being exercised in F-35A squadrons is D/SEAD, with swing-role into its other mission sets. F-35s can change their RF signature, but that isn't the only way to detect and geolocate, then target. They soak up more than RF emissions, and are networked with other ISR platforms. Starbaby talks about rotating antennae without emitting, for example. F-35's APG-81 AESA sees that already from unbelievable distances, which are immediately fused with the EOTS and DAS, so it can go to a totally passive track that is interleaved with the MADL net. Also, the IR signature of F-35s is extremely low contrast, much lower than other fighters.
I read the book Viper Pilot by "redacted pilot" lol and whilst I liked the book I felt that the author was a bit of a dick. I do however like Mike Pietrucha.....and am glad that he seems to share the same opinion.
I was thinking about getting Dan Hampton wild weasel books the one about Cold War weasels and the other viper pilots only because I can’t find the other authored veteran books because they are not in publication
@@StarbabyAirPiracyProductions thank you the one you suggested is on audible and I will try to purchase this spring as well as a few others based around the subject from vietnam onward
im curious why the airforce never developed a weapon to couple with the harm for dead after it was suppressed, or even instead, like why not have a missile with a cbu payload that seaks on radars that are on, and uses an ins nav to targets that go quiet that blankets the entire area where the radar was with explosives, just seesm to me the most effective way to make sure once you find a target you dont need to keep suppressing it every time you go out there. the line of thinking that got me here was basicly do you wish you had access to cbu jsows to send after you launched a harm to destroy what ever you suppressed.
Interesting... Most guys & gals I have heard interviewed have been informative & interesting without giving the impression of having an inflated head & a quick to be derogatory mouth. Knowing life is not a one way street for dishing out derogatory remarks let's ask what this guy would have been doing in my graduate math department? Making us coffee, sharpening our pencils. And, what would he be doing without the emgineers of all types that allow him to have a remarkable plane to fly in? Flapping his arms and throwing stones at the enemy?
@@StarbabyAirPiracyProductions At least you have some redeaming features. Now only if the door is wide enough for your head to pop thru you might get hired.
@18m58 "That's complete & Utter B.S"...... Where was this man when I had to sit through briefings as a ground-pounder E6 (equivalent).... My time would have been sooo different if the Western forces had more "O" grades like Starbaby...... 🤣🤣🤣😎😎
