ElectroSoldier Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Just as the topic says really. I remember when the USAF had the RF-4C based here in the UK at RAF Alconbury, the US Navy had the RA-5C and then the RF-4 among many other fighter aircraft like the RF-84. We Brits had the PR.9 Canberra and versions of big bombers that were dedicated reccon versions When happened to them all? Why does the USA no longer have a reccon version of their aircraft? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 A lot of recon is done by satellites and drones, and a number of airforces have fighter aircraft that can carry a recon pod under the centerline. There isn’t as much need to have an aircraft that is limited to only one role, plus flying manned aircraft over enemy territory is more risky these days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 "National Assets" 😎 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 3 hours ago, ElectroSoldier said: Why does the USA no longer have a reccon version of their aircraft? Because instead of having a recon version of an other-purpose aircraft there are now much more efficient dedicated recon aircraft; For example, https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104470/mq-9-reaper/ and https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104516/rq-4-global-hawk/ plus, the manufacturer's website for the one of them, https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/air/global-hawk/ and, the Naval version, https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/air/triton/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 Doesnt global hawk rely on aerial dominance? I think Ukraine has now proven the idea of that has changed now. a global hawk wouldnt last 10 minutes in that environment... An RF-4C would have given something else. Or are we looking at the end of one change and the start of another? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Global Hawk flies at extreme altitudes and can offset from the contested airspace, to achieve it's mission. Since we've not had dedicated manned Tactical recce aircraft since 1995, I'd say we've long been out of that business and the UAS' have taken over. 2 hours ago, ElectroSoldier said: Or are we looking at the end of one change and the start of another? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Real time data links brought to us via satellites from north pole to south pole. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 7 minutes ago, ST0RM said: Global Hawk flies at extreme altitudes and can offset from the contested airspace, to achieve it's mission. Since we've not had dedicated manned Tactical recce aircraft since 1995, I'd say we've long been out of that business and the UAS' have taken over. If thats the case then its hardly a direct replacement for something like an RF-4C is it. If Ukraine has shown one thing it is that satellites are no replacement for a battlefield recognisance. That roll is now clearly being filled by the humble shop bought drones from what we can see on the social sites. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 9 hours ago, ElectroSoldier said: Why does the USA no longer have a reccon version of their aircraft? the U.S. still fly U-2s. Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 5 hours ago, ElectroSoldier said: Doesnt global hawk rely on aerial dominance? I think Ukraine has now proven the idea of that has changed now. a global hawk wouldnt last 10 minutes in that environment... An RF-4C would have given something else. Or are we looking at the end of one change and the start of another? Digital also eliminated film canisters from satellites and aircraft, hence no more JC-130's, RF-4's etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Cartwright Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 That's a good point, Da SWO, it may be that the space no longer required for the cameras means that you don't need dedicated platforms - anything can be a recon craft if needed. Also, the F-35 is supposed to be nearly a miniature AWACS, so it may also be planned to fill the role of recon aircraft under some circumsances. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dafixer Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 They've been replaced by stealthy UAVs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_RQ-170_Sentinel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_RQ-180 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted November 10, 2022 Author Share Posted November 10, 2022 3 hours ago, Dafixer said: They've been replaced by stealthy UAVs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_RQ-170_Sentinel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_RQ-180 That makes more sense. I didnt know about either of those Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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