Wow - this place is becoming like f-16.net - check out the 4million threads on the F-22 is over there btw
In regards to importance of tactics - Heres a fave Vietnam excerpt of mine from Jack Broughton (F-105 pilot) re the NVA Migs:
" I have often marvelled at the Migs amazing lack of success. I know airplanes very well and my three years of leading the USAF demonstration team, The Thunderbirds, did nothing to dim my perception or relative maximum performance capability among different aircraft. I have fought with the Migs in two wars now - be they declared, recognised, popular or not - and i never saw any general indication that the Mig drivers faced thus far were using the maximum skill or technical capability available to them.
I don't think you would have a found a truly professional fighter pilot who would not have sold his front seat in Hell to be a Mig squadron Commander in the face of an American fighter-bomber attack, should such a transformation be possible in our world of reality. Please remember I am only speaking professionally and am not expressing any desire to go the rice and fish route. I am simply saying that they could murder us if they did the job property."
re IR suppression - that would involve not using the afterburner ever would it? So called experts tout that the latest gen IR missiles can see the friction off a planes wing! suppress that.