Here's the Best NATO Strike Fighter for World War III

[@WardCarroll]

Go to www.ground.news/ward to stay fully informed. Subscribe through my link for 50% off unlimited access.

[@00calvinlee00]

Another interesting and informative briefing. Thank you CDR. Carroll! Regards to Prof. Bronk! Reach out to the 177th FW at Atlantic City,NJ. Cool People!

[@johnbolwell5969]

His grasp of the subject matter is truly astonishing!

[@XerrolAvengerII]

a pleasure to have Justin on the channel again

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Rather impressive that he has seat time in all of them.

[@johnnunn8688]

He hasn’t. Said he’s not flown F35, except sim.

[@benjaminperez7328]

He is 007 after all.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@johnnunn8688 how many can say they've done that?🤔

[@hyfavey]

@@johnnunn8688Given F-35 (and F-22) is a single-seater you should be pretty good to get a flight 😂

[@joetaylor486]

Absolutely

[@enahs5000]

Justin is one sharp guy, always enjoy listening to his insights.

[@dougvazquez6571]

Justin is a treasure. We are very lucky to have this exposure to him. Thank you very much Ward!

[@michaelinsc9724]

Justin is always fantastic! I could kisten to the two of you all day.

[@brianrmc1963]

Ward, you have great guests, but Justin is by far the best.

[@lonpfrb]

Of the non US forces guests

[@williamtynan6484]

Professor Bronk always has leading edge information and a wide angle view of Military capabilities that we are in desperate need of in this dangerous period

[@frankfarklesberry]

What a wonderful surprise with Justin Gronk! Love it.

[@davidkreutzkamp6602]

Haha I can't believe you put the CF-18 in that group Ward lol. Can't wait to hear Justins feedback on that platform.

[@davidkreutzkamp6602]

Surprisingly favourable! They did just recently come out of overall and modernization so it is encouraging to hear the the tech and layout is helping keep the platform semi useable ;)

[@exponentmantissa5598]

@@davidkreutzkamp6602 If you can keep them in the air. Maintenance is steep.

[@hoghogwild]

@@davidkreutzkamp6602 They've never been as deadly. the entire fleet got Hornet Extension Project#1(HEP1) and 36 of the lowest houred airframes get the AESA APG-79(V4) radar Block-2 AIM-9X/AIM-120D/AGM-154 JSOW precision glide weapon. They are entering their 5th decade of service. Canada and Australia were the first countries to have the Legacy Hornets enter service. RCAF F-18 IOC was 1982 IIRC. I remember that Australia and Canada teamed up to solve the "case of the vibrating vertical stabs".

[@billbrockman779]

Great episode. More like this please.

[@joemancini2988]

Thanks Ward. Always good to get an update from Justin.

[@scottcooper4391]

The Eagle is awesome - even the B model back in 1984 (when I got 3 rides before going to Pensacola).

[@stupidburp]

For strikes with long range air to surface cruise missiles, F-15EX is king. The load capacity is far above other fighters and the hard point options are plentiful. The EW is excellent with EPAWSS and other capabilities. The air to air record inherited from legacy F-15s is outstanding and it has improvements in that area to maintain an advantage over most likely adversaries. The main point is that it can deliver more ordnance in fewer trips than other fighters while fully capable of protecting itself. For strikes close in using glide bombs then stealth fighters are the safest option, with F-35 variants the best available for that. But the payload is limited in volume and the availability rates of stealth aircraft tends to be lower. That puts Gripen, Rafale, Typhoon, F-16, and F-18 in the running for fairly cost effective medium volume strikes over the long run.

[@jetdriver]

If we are going to limit this to Gen 4.5 fighters then F-15EX is the one I’d want to go to war in. Beast level power and kinematics, long range and a huge load out of very potent weapons.

[@howtobenormal5497]

Very good radar too

[@jetdriver]

@ yeah I meant to mention that. It’s the most powerful radar flying today with the biggest dish.

[@markbenson683]

You hit the nail on the head! STRIKE FIGHTER is the issue, STRIKE! Must have awesome payload capability, capacity, range and defensive prowess to get there and back.

[@rupertphmode1753]

Awesome mind and love the way he speaks which makes it easy for the non-military person to grasp the meaning.

[@SanDiegoUteFan]

RAFAEL? Come on Ward, that’s a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. It’s Rafale. You’re the go-to GOAT on this stuff. 😎👍🏼 How about each ally simply use the plane they can do best with in terms of volume, supplies and training?

[@Johnny13Tube]

Having multiple jets helps find strengths and weaknesses of each, which should help improve follow on variants and new platforms, and prevents enemies from capitalizing on any 1 weakness.

[@MH-mi6mk]

Rafale - is a French word that translates to either „strong wind gust“ or in general a sudden, violent occurrence that can be many things, or in the military sense, something like a volley of artillery, a sudden attack…

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Great analysis as always from Justin Bronk. As for the Typhoon, I first saw an early version flying at the Farnborough Air Show in 1986, so it's already long in the tooth. But it's clearly still an awesome aeroplane and weapons platform.

[@lonpfrb]

Three improvement tranches mean that engineering continuous improvement is part of the commercial approach, just like JSF. The Radar 2.0 will secure 4.5 gen and keep it relevant until Tempest arrives. Shame that RAF doesn't have the money to upgrade tranche 1 aircraft even though BAE showed it could be done... 30 F35B will more than replace the tr1 Typhoons though at a higher flight cost.

[@joshafc41]

@@lonpfrb I don't think the F35 will be replacing the tranch 1s. The Tranch1s are mainly used for QRA and F35s aren't really capable enough for that mission.

[@EK-gr9gd]

In defence of the "Typhoon" it was originally designed as an air-superiority fighter, to replace the TORNADO F.3, F-4 PHANTOM II, F-104 STARFIGHTER and MIRAGE F.1. Now it is a TORNADO IDS /ECR (forthcoming), which can dogfight like an F-15 or F-16. Although it maintained the deployablity of a TORNADO. Upgrades are underway.

[@hoghogwild]

Dr Bronk again? freaking awesome! I hope he enjoyed his CF-18B ride.

[@hoghogwild]

Curious though, was the Cf-18B equipped with the APG-79(V4) AESA radar therefore AIM-120D/AIM9X Block-2/JSOW glide weapon?

[@GunnerHeatFire]

Great video once again, Thanks!

[@stonecoldmunchin]

Justin is back! Awesome!

[@wyskass861]

It's interesting to hear all the computer and display capabilities replacing more and more what Mooch used to do and pilots had to be aware of in singles. Leaving as much as possible only the decision choices to the operators. But as we've heard from many stories in military and commercial aviation when problems arise, a 2nd person in cockpit has great value in cross checking decisions and sharing bandwidth to prevent task overload and mental lockup.

[@davidsmith8997]

What's left out is how dominant the 5th gens are in most aspects (minus the -9X in close for the Raptor). To be fair though, the 4th gens seem close enough that the biggest difference is (as usual) the pilot, not the machine. Hope that NATO is able to keep up high standards of training so they're ready to dominate the skies if need be!

[@stupidburp]

Not dominant in payload delivery volume, especially over time. Internal storage and extra maintenance for stealth severely restricts volume for weapons and significantly reduces aircraft availability rates. Great for penetration of air defenses. But air launched long range missiles can be released from outside those air defenses, making stealth less critical, and they can be released in higher volume by using external stores, which negate stealth. For cost effectiveness over time, passing on high maintenance stealth coatings can save money. If you are delivering cost effective munitions such as glide bombs then higher payload per trip and lower cost per flight hour to conduct a large scale or long term war such as we see in Ukraine then passing on stealth may also be necessary to allocate budgets most effectively.

[@bigdevil73]

Typhon Eurofighter will soon be getting a new radar with electronic scanning and a few other systems. It has already been ordered and is being manufactured. Maybe in 2-3 years we will see Typhon with completely new capabilities.

[@MrJdsenior]

Try that in an F22. Sounds like a hell of an airplane, though. Fifth gen is just that, though, the next generation, in performance, sensors, integration, etc. The 2nd gen FLIR on the F22, for instance, can get WAY out there, so you can see them long before they see you, and I fully suspect that the F35 version is much better. I hadn't considered that aspect. Yeah, that helmet mounted stuff is massive, but the 35 has that, in spades. Tech definitely does march on, that is so far something you can absolutely bank on. And one aspect where the F35 falls short of the F22 is stealth, I think. F35 gave up some of that to accommodate other competing design requirements/specifications. I retired before 3rd gen quantum well detectors came online, and I suspect those are far more sensitive, yet. That amazes me what you said about the F22 right after I wrote that, though. I am truly surprised that the on board radars can detect the 22 that far out. Maybe they have some additional long wave capability? I find it very difficult to believe that ANY aircraft consistently sees an F22 before the F22 sees it. Obviously the F22 has better RCS in some viewing aspects than others, but it is pretty low throughout most of it's spherical envelope. I think I read that the F22 is estimated to have something like an 85% dog fighting record, overall, and if true, that makes that comment sound a bit exaggerated, as well. It would be interesting to actually see the data, not that that is going to happen, without clearance, I suspect. While I don't doubt that that scenario could happen occasionally, I would doubt that it happens consistently, and would really doubt that it happens the majority of the time. Obviously I don't know that, though. Only the guys doing it, and those involved would, whoever gets briefings on those exercises, with that data included. I am not remotely one of those. I do know that we need to get by this stupid 'on boresite' BS for launch of AAM. It should be, by now, a total in cockpit video game, with sircraft pointing vector of no consequence to launch timing. You can turn a missile WAYYYY faster than an aircraft, like at 100g+, if you design for that, or just drop it, pivot it, and light it, again, if so designed. I can even thing of ways to flip a missile rotationally, almost pirouetting about its center, passively, meaning unlit, in practically a snap maneuver. All that crap gets more complex, and more expensive, but compared to a kill, vs being killed, it would be cheap. He makes a good point that anticipatory design usually travels in time less well than just picking the best, most current designs, and going with that. You can almost never get that right. Great vid, you interviews of Justin are always a learning fest, and a treat. He always brings up things I hear nobody else discussing, and having had your ass planted in the seat is where the rubber meets the road.

[@gunslinger4203]

Excellent Video as usual!

[@briangriffiths114]

Very interesting and informative. I could listen to Justin Bronk all day because he really knows his subject.

[@Utahdropout]

Holly mackerel.....!!! What a job...!! Flying all the latest stuff must be the dream of any aviator. Not many people have that kind of insight into the state of the art. Thanks again Ward for you amazing access to such a cadre of interesting folks.

[@darrencorrigan8505]

Thanks, Ward.

[@rikardnorlen752]

At 8:16 i would guess Bronks talkes about Gripen C since he says 3 screens and Gripen E is not in active service until next year in Europe. But its a Gripen E on the photo.

[@stefanbrodin5410]

Indeed he is talking about the C/D. And the E/F is in another dimension when it comes to EW and situational awareness… 🙂

[@carlfischer4163]

Nice to learn about other fighter aircraft. Thanks Mooch. As always 👍

[@lorenzcassidy3960]

I'm a simple man: when Prof. Bronk speaks, I listen. [and I do smash the LIKE button, too!👍👍] Greets from Italy!

[@sailingalphascramble8169]

Ever since “meeting” Justin Bronk via this channel he has taken the top spot on my civilian experts list away from Charlotte Blackwood. And that’s quite a bar… Great episode!

[@mortmortannon6640]

Intersting to get a rather non-biased view on the platforms (a pilot would most likely prefer the platform they are familiar with).

[@geoffreyofmonmouth9796]

Always great to have Justin on the show. Given that WW3 may already have started, I would say it's whatever we have airworthy and we can keep flying during combat.

[@50megatondiplomat28]

Ward! I did not expect to see you in a Descendents T-Shirt! I love all the old California punk bands. Really takes me back to the 80's and 90's. I had no idea you were a fan of that style of music.

[@skvUSA]

Thanks!

[@user-si8oz5zf8d]

Good work. Please keep it coming. Appreciate it.

[@jrmotorsports5532]

Awesome! Thanks for the discussion.

[@andresilvasophisma]

I would take the Eurofighter or the Gripen. They can use practically the same as the F16 and can land on standard roads.

[@gordonbergslien30]

I want Justin's job!!! Excellent job as always, Commander!

[@kurtlysne9220]

Great stuff, as always. A phenomenal amount of intellect is on display.

[@michaelwhite9199]

The British gentleman is an impressive subject matter expert. I have watched his interviews on many channels.

[@stefanbrodin5410]

Can’t wait to see Justin Bronk fly back seat of a Gripen F for the first time and see his reaction to the *Next Generation* Gripen platform. Unfortunately they are still very restrictive when it comes to letting foreigners near the live cockpit and tech, and another detail is of course that it has yet to make its maiden flight. But both these things will change in due time. 🙂 It would also be interesting to hear his view of the upcoming german “Elektronischen Kampf” version of the Typhoon, bringing the Arexis EW suite of the Gripen E/F to the ”Eurofighter”. Seems like a great match… 🙂

[@irongron]

Great show. Happy voting day Ward!

[@steveturner3999]

You're judged sometimes by the company you keep. Mooch, you keep very good company. Such a pleasure to hear these systems broken down by their real versus wikipedia capabilities. Keep these sessions going please.

[@geoffreydavis7703]

Bronk and Milo!!! Best Tuesday ever.

[@rogersjolly1]

There it is!!!!!! Star Wars!! I can hear my wife rolling her eyes right now!!!! Great content Mooch. Hopefully there won't be a WWIII anytime soon! Oh! And great shirt!!!! "Enjoy my good friend. Enjoy!"

[@Sometungsten]

11.05.24 A great start on a Tuesday morning! Thanks...

[@neilmpearson]

Rafale, not Rafael!

[@WardCarroll]

Right.

[@pugs11ful]

The F/A-18E-F over the F-122 close in due to the HMS points directly to the lessons we learned fighting the FSU Mig-29's and how important an HMS is for that shot close in.

[@A10-Wart-Hog]

Justin is the best!👏

[@HandyMan657]

Hey hey, Justin again, so soon. Sweet. Nothing like the details. Thanks, Ward. Take care, keep safe.

[@Syndr1]

Let's go for that 3Peat Justin 🏆

[@slider292]

Two Bronk episodes in a week? Christmas has come early to KZbin...

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thank you Ward🇺🇸 & Justin Bronk...... Old Shoe🇺🇸

[@KnightOps290]

All the DCS guys are nodding when you spoke about F16 air to ground vs classic hornet. Classic hornet pref air to ground and F16 best interface air to air.

[@dandadrumman]

Wait, Descendents shirt? Ward is way more down than I thought. That's what's up!

[@PasleyAviationPhotography]

You had doubts?

[@jmjones7897]

Saw that. Are you ready? Cheers

[@roberthohlt469]

Ward, if you read out of a phone book it would be must see. Great as always.

[@5133937]

Very interesting information. I'd love to hear someone's comparative review of the "Mighty Eagle" too in case you happen to know someone who can do that.

[@jonathanyang6230]

the typhoon is very scary esp. with the meteor missiles

[@FrankBarnwell-xi8my]

I was thinking of the f15ex all the while. And for air to ground.. b-1

[@Sup3r6f0ur]

I know he doesn't have seat time in it, but the F15EX is definitely the top dog of the late gen 4 aircraft.

[@SMac86]

I’ve seen two F22 performances at my local air show and that plane just blows me away with the kind of manoeuvres it can pull off. It’s just one of the most bad ass looking planes (maybe tied with the F14 😉) and it never fails to impress at a show. They did a legacy flight this year with the F22 and an A1 Skyraider, it was a thing of beauty. Was hoping to see the F35 but it was cancelled. Thanks for all the insight! I think overall I like the Gripen. It just feels like a work horse that can get it done in any type of situation.

[@SMac86]

With all this seat time, think we will see Justin in the next Top Gun movie?

[@davidewhite69]

The 18 ex RAAF Hornets Canada acquired have more up to date displays than the current CF-18s and helmet mounted cueing amongst other things

[@UAL320]

It’s phenomenal what the Swedish aircraft industry, and defense industry in general, has done by itself, out of NATO until only recently…absolutely phenomenal.

[@royalukas8144]

Probably all will be required depending on the situation and the threat. Plus availability, ie the Super Hornet off US carriers. F-16 international fleet size, etc.

[@GeoffreyFourmyle]

Lol he hasn't tried the mighty eagle. Many would argue the F-15 would be the best on the list. Especially the new EX. It's incredible

[@joshafc41]

The EX isnt really that amazing, it just adds a few of the things that the Gripen, Rafale and Typhoon ahve already had for decades the biggest one being the self protectuion suit and even in that its still lacking compared to these fighters. You can compare what pilots who have flown the F15 F16 and some European fighters and see what they say.

[@GeoffreyFourmyle]

@@joshafc41 true. The F-15 has the reputation it has without any of that stuff though. It's now fly by wire and has a massive thrust increase. Plus a more robust airframe. The F-15 brought up to date and a bit beyond will be one of the most capable fighters out there.

[@timf6916]

Nice, good information

[@Top10VideosOnTheWeb]

Justin - 'nuff said.

[@JimNelsonPilot]

How about if we just skip WWIII?

[@stupidburp]

Already started

[@patrickshanley4466]

Outstanding as usual 👍

[@joelkirby3430]

Great program!💪🇺🇸

[@randallporter4306]

Thanks

[@marinrealestatephotography]

Descendents Shirt = Instant Thumbs Up 👍

[@Lechonsitoasado334]

Love the title . Hopefully, at the end of ww 3, you still have a youtube channel and a few viewers.

[@daviddeehl3849]

Not fully comprehensive, but still insightful.

[@KellySmith4145]

Yet another excellent video

[@SummitMan165]

Always a super guy to have on your show !! BTW… I WANT HIS JOB 😎😎😎😎👌👌👌👌

[@oveidasinclair982]

The best NATO strike fighter has been and still is the F-15E and F-15FX, everything else is second best...Period.

[@G_de_Coligny]

The A6E is asking for a recount… From the grave…

[@oveidasinclair982]

@@G_de_Coligny Problem with the A-6E was that it was so noisy, the enemy had a 15 minute forewarning that it was headed their way, they at least had time to prepare.

[@joelpierce3940]

Let’s hope we don’t find out, as my son is infantry.

[@erikwigelandiestad2270]

F16 ❤

[@Corridors-p7d]

How does Justin Bronk score all these exciting rides from so many different airforces?

[@tebitt]

How does such a young guy have so much knowledge? Brilliant interview!!

[@MAGAman-uy7wh]

Is any consideration given to pilot "handedness" (left or right)? It seems the center stick is more pilot friendly.

[@SummitMan165]

Justin en route again for another Moochy Awards !! 👌👌👌👌

[@WardCarroll]

Could be . . .

[@WilliamMacLeod-en3pm]

Love the shirt ❤

[@babboon5764]

Maybe less so for Europe than the Far East but *the B21 (yep the Bomber)* is being touted as a *potentially suberb long range Fighter/Interceptor* leading its own drone Missile swarms Sounds strange for such an 'unagile' aeroplane But the more you think about it the clearer the potential starts to look.

[@stupidburp]

I don't think it will ever really be an effective fighter but it could potentially have an extreme long range air to air support fire role. Launching the longest range air to air missiles with other aircraft doing the targeting. Aerial artillery. But F-15EX can do the same role at a fraction of the cost and is better able to protect itself. Stealth is nice to have and the range and payload of a B-21 are great. But if you have fighters flying from somewhere to do the target acquisition then there should be somewhere for the F-15EX to fly from as well. There may be some special use cases where B-21 would be a better tool, such as perhaps over some areas of the ocean without tankers nearby for whatever reasons. But F-15EX is probably the more practical solution for many cases.

[@josh3771]

I'd like to hear how the F35 compares, would it really clean the board with all its fancy tech and stealth?

[@Syndr1]

Ward, you have to get Justin a F16 for Christmas 🎄🎁

[@bret9741]

Strike fighter? Here’s my order. (1) F-15E (Ex). (2) F-35C. (3) Saab Gripen E…. (4) F-18 Super Hornet with escort of Growlers. (5) typhoon which would change if upgraded to current cutting edge standards. Dreaming. F-14 Tomcat 21+ had it been developed

[@BasedF-15Pilot]

@13:35 The F-15 has greater IFF and interrogation capability than the F-16 and, in the case if the F-15C, the same or greater energy capability as the Typhoon depending on altitude (better in the cons). The reason he hasn't been able to get in one is likely due to classification issues.

[@joshafc41]

The F15 cant have the same or greater energy capability, it has a high thrust to weight ratio but equally high drag which is why it still cant super cruise even after several engine upgrades. The most important metric to measure energy capability is power required to over come drag not just power alone.

[@BasedF-15Pilot]

@@joshafc41 You'd be surprised how the math works out with engine efficiency, altitude, air density and temperature. That's why alt matters.

[@BasedF-15Pilot]

@@joshafc41 The F-18C can supercruise btw. That ability is not a key performance metric but can help in ferry range.

[@joshafc41]

@@BasedF-15Pilot Yes thats true. Thats why its baseline capability is important.

[@joshafc41]

@@BasedF-15Pilot I've heard that its possible in a clean aircraft on a cold day.

[@WarthogARJ]

You should justify this with European/land based use versus Pacific/long range use. Doesn't just mean carrier vs pure land-based, but as much (very) long range. Also the anti-aircraft risk.

[@rickzirkle4557]

Does the F35 have a backseater ? It would be cool to have Justin's opinion of that aircraft

[@mako88sb]

No two-seat training version. This was mentioned in the episode about the F-35 “inappropriate ejection”. There’s no trainer version of the F-14 as well. Or the F-22. Probably others I’m sure.

[@EveryoneIsFightingSomeBattle]

It's hard to believe that a Gen5 fighter would not be the best choice.

[@davewolfy2906]

Fighter is the operative word, should the F35 be the A35,?

[@bluemarlin8138]

Sounds like he hasn’t flown in one yet. These are just the ones he’s flown in

[@stupidburp]

Higher flight hour costs, lower aircraft availability due to stealth materials maintenance, and much lower volume of munitions available while keeping that stealth active. They are great for penetration strikes in limited volume, kicking down the door. Less useful for sustaining strikes over the long run or servicing numerous targets efficiently.

[@toddashton9696]

Descendants? Does Ward have a granddaughter? Great episode Ward. Very interesting feedback from Justin.

[@WardCarroll]

I do have a granddaughter, and she has never listened to the Descendants, a very old punk band.

[@PasleyAviationPhotography]

​@@WardCarrollyeah, strange comparison. Maybe he confused them for Taylor Swift 😉

[@toddashton9696]

@@WardCarroll Thanks Ward I confused your T-shirt with the Disney version of the Descendants The punk band makes more sense

[@kpadalldotablet1009]

Power and agility really isn't what it's about now. I would pick whichever plane has the best electronics and the longest engagement distance. I would care less about top speed or top agility.

[@Brian-or2jy]

I'm really interested to see what the NGAD looks like. With the vast distances in the Pacific, will it be able close those distances quickly with super cruise and throw missiles further, or will it look more like an subsonic missile truck - relying on newer ultra long range missiles.

[@hoghogwild]

I think those involved with both NGAD programs are interested in what they will look like as well. The Navy NGAD rendering was lacking a vertical tail, but that was a while ago now.(2013)

[@Akm72]

Currently it looks like the USAF is backing off the range specification for their NGAD.

[@stupidburp]

It looks like a budget buster. Which would be disastrous for overall forces readiness.

[@Brian-or2jy]

@@Akm72 The Air Force Secretary says he wants the NGAD to cost less than the F-35, which is insane. Two engines, larger footprint, larger internal payload. Even if they raid the F-35 for every available part, a bigger plane is going to cost more.