Acutally, (I'm retired AF) they CAN'T do the same thing. Missiles can hit any target, virtually anywhere. But they have to be programmed where to go. Planes on the other hand can hit select targets as the need arises, and they can do it repeatedly. So if you send in a missile to take something out and it doesn't quite do the job, you then have to send in another missile. (Note the time delay.) Planes on the other hand, can do the same thing, but if one missile doesn't do the job well, they can just turn around and hit it again.

Plus, planes can carry bombs and get into places missiles can't with the same ease.

Want more? These are two different weapons for two different purposes.

-G