AIR FORCE NEWS
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Unless the Sixth Generation Fighter is well in development, and that can take years with bidding and flyoffs, I highly recommend that the USAF look into buying the F-15 "Silent Eagle" and F-16 Block 70 for several reasons:
• Not everything requires an expensive stealth aircraft to intercept for air defense or to conduct CONUS CAPs. Not every scenario will require a F-22 or F-35 Stealth fighter in the future.
• Lower maintenance cost airplanes that don’t have to deal with stealth coatings and can fly in all kinds of weather
• F-15SE’s Mach 2.5+ and 60,000 feet veiling beats F-35’s Mach 1.6 and 50,000 feet ceiling. The F-15SE’s ferry range is enormous compared to the F-35’s.
• F-15SE can double as a fighter and a bomber.
• The F-15SE has more external weapons hardpoints than the F-35’s internal four stores and six external stores. F-15SE can carry more weapons load
• F-15Cs are experiencing structural cracks. Eventually, new jets are needed
• The F-15SE has a larger AESA radar and is more maneuverable in a dogfight than the F-35. Sure the F-35 might win over the F-15, but again, the F-35 isn’t mean to dogfight
• Twin engines vs. a single engine
• If F-35s are grounded or hacked into, what is going to substitute?
• The F-15SEs and F-16 Block 70s are more advanced than the current USAF’s F-15Cs and F-16 Block 52s…glass cockpits, newer ECM and EW, IRST pods, CFTs, semi-stealth features, helmet cueing systems, better performance, etc.
• The costs are relatively the same as the F-35.
• They’re just equal-sized jets or larger
• F-15SEs are lighter than F-15E Strike Eagles, allowing for two more weapons hardpoints.
• F-15SEs can be used for anti-satellite roles. I doubt the F-35 can.
One almost has to think the DoD needs to invest in IBM's Watson system.. connect Watson to a F-35 and determine what's wrong with the aircraft then develop a step-by-step list procedure for the technicians to follow in servicing the aircraft; the US Navy is having problems with the LCS as these new systems are so advance that the men in uniform are unable to keep their equipment working.
omegatalon at 2:04 PM