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July 2004 Poll #2
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July 2004 Poll #1
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Do you think arming unmanned aircraft with weapons is a good idea?
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Yes
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68%
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No
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27%
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Undecided
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5%
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Total votes: 107
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Comment: While we anticipated the Su-30 would ultimately receive the most votes, given the news
about its performance against the F-15 in recent wargames, it is somewhat surprising that the lead was so
large. Nevertheless, these recent events ought to provide even more impetus to invest in the far more
capable F-22 Raptor.
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Comment: The weaponization of unmanned vehicles is probably the largest area of growth in military
aviation today. Not only are the services working on large dedicated UCAVs like the X-45 and X-47, but
also on much smaller tactical UAVs carrying a new generation of miniature guided munitions. Together,
these two classes of aircraft could revolutionize the future of air-to-ground warfare.
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June 2004 Poll #2
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June 2004 Poll #1
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What factor do you think is most important in air-to-air combat?
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Stealth
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10%
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Integrated avionics
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7%
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Missile design
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6%
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Maneuverability
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48%
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Advanced radar
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13%
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Electronic countermeasures
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5%
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Other
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9%
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Undecided
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2%
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Total votes: 175
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Do you believe the US military possesses alien technology that has been stored and tested at the base known as "Area 51"?
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Yes
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32%
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No
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62%
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Undecided
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6%
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Total votes: 108
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Comment: While maneuverability was the big winner, I would argue that stealth and integrated
avionics are the most important technologies in modern fighters. It is these capabilities that give a
pilot a more complete picture of the air battle while denying that information to the adversary.
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Comment: We never cease to be amazed at the large percentages of people who seem to buy into these
ridiculous theories of conspiracy and intrigue at the highest levels of government. Where is the proof to
support these outrageous claims? Why can't people accept that our advanced technologies are the products
of our own intellects rather than stolen from alien beings? It must be a conspiracy against us engineers!
:-)
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May 2004 Poll #2
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May 2004 Poll #1
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Do you believe the abuses of prisoners in Iraq were ordered by high-ranking officials?
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Yes
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57%
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No
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36%
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Undecided
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7%
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Total votes: 133
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Given recent cost overruns, do you think the US should cancel further production of the F-22 Raptor?
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Yes
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26%
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No
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70%
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Undecided
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4%
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Total votes: 152
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Comment: It remains to be seen what the aftermath of the abuse scandal will be. At the very least,
the US government has allowed a public relations fiasco that severely damages its credibility at home and
abroad.
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Comment: The cost of the F-22 may be rather high, but the same trends in increasing costs afflict
nearly every other military aircraft development program around the world. The simple fact is that a
nation cannot develop a modern fighter that will be capable and competetive against its rivals without
being expensive. USAF pilots have raved about the performance of the F-22, and it should easily outclass
any other fighter in the world today.
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