or has Stealth killed the need for it.
2007-11-02 07:02:07 · 5 answers · asked by spartan 117 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The Air Force now uses the F-16 Block 50D for Wild Weasel (SEAD) missions. SEAD is STILL needed even with Stealth Capability... guns and missiles can STILL be shot into the air at random and score a possible hit.
The F-117A lost over Bosnia was probably hit by a "random" SAM shot into the sky that got lucky.
Supported by the EA-6B "Prowler" (which has been a "joint" Navy / Air Force crewed aircraft since about 1995) which does the ECCM and ECM work.
The Navy uses F/A-18 Hornets and soon the EA-18G "Growler".
2007-11-02 07:24:24 · answer #1 · answered by mariner31 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stealth does help, but it is more for taking out high profile targets not for doing the mission the Wild Weasel aircraft do.
The Wild Weasel mission is still being done today, and it is for suppresion of enemy air defenses (SEAD). The F-16 has taken over the role today.
What will usually happen is the Block 50/52 F16 will fly missions searching for hostile radars. They carry the AGM-88 HARM (High speed Anti Radiation Missile) to take out radar sites.
2007-11-02 14:11:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, stealth technology along with very sophisticated weaponry that can take out any SAM site almost as soon as its radar is fired up has pretty well ended the wild weasel tactics.
2007-11-02 14:12:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes they do with F-16CJ called viper weasels
2007-11-02 16:19:29 · answer #4 · answered by Peiper 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Last time I was at Holloman AFB, NM they had some there that were remote control and used for targets.
2007-11-02 14:56:45 · answer #5 · answered by 19G30 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋