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Seems mostly like a stopgap to me. This is meant to replace a bunch of old F-15 C/Ds which are aging out of their operational life. The -18s are Navy, and so us
by WesleyLivesay 6y ago
Seems mostly like a stopgap to me. This is meant to replace a bunch of old F-15 C/Ds which are aging out of their operational life. The -18s are Navy, and so using them in the Air Force to replace existing -15s would be pricey on the logistics side, F-22s aren't being manufactured anymore and would far too expensive for the National Guard units these are going to, and the F-35s just aren't available in large enough numbers yet. The -15 has also turned into a very versatile aircraft, and it a lot cheaper to operate than a -35.
Part of the reason these old aircraft stick around is due to the very low risk involved with upgrades. We have -15s, we know they work very well, we know how to fix them, we know what to do with them.
- obmelvin 6y agoA sibling commenter of yours pointed out that the EX variant will retain the dual-seat configuration of the E variant, which allows a dedicates weapon systems officer. An obvious fundamental improvement that can't be addressed through maintenance or upgrades of old variants.
- donaltroddyn 6y ago> F-22s aren't being manufactured anymore and would far too expensive for the National Guard units these are going to The 149th and 199th Fighter Squadrons are ANG and fly the F-22A.
- WesleyLivesay 6y agoYou are absolutely correct, I should have been more clear that I meant they would be too expensive to go to the number of ANG squadrons that currently fly the C/D, I think they would have to double current F-22 numbers.
- btgeekboy 6y agoThis sounds like the thinking that led to the 737MAX produced by the same manufacturer.