Quality versus Quantity: More Than Meets the Eye

摘要

The total capability of a fighter force is produced by both quality and quantity. Quantity is the order of battlel quality is composed of the level of technology in the aircraft and weapons, reliability and maintainability, aircrew training, and aircrew tactics. The US fighter force is quantitatively inferior to the Soviet fighter force. The US attempts to maintain a qualitative advantage with superior technology. superior reliability and maintainability, superior training, and superior tactics. The USSR may approach qualitative parity with new high-technology fighters such as the Mig-29 and Su-27. The USSR saves considerable time and money in aircraft development efforts by obtaining and using US technology. To maintain is qualitative advantage over the USSR, the US must continue to modernize its fighter force, train realistically, encourage tactical innovation, and restrict technology transfers to the USSR.