4 ms·
F-15EX also didn't meaningfully exist even in USA at the time of this contract and is barely starting to show up right now.
by izacus 4y ago
F-15EX also didn't meaningfully exist even in USA at the time of this contract and is barely starting to show up right now.
- dirtyid 4y agoPoint is EX has continuity with prior weapons integration. AF wanted F15 capabilities and opted for modernized variant. Plus F15s simply carrying more = USAF opting to keeping mixed composition of airframes that excels in different capabilities niches instead of previous TACAIR proposal of going all in on stealth. Even A10, for as much meme calling for it's death, got a host of modernization that puts it ahead of F35 for certain missions short/medium term. AF still going to go HAM on 35s long term, but within next 15 years, they're reorienting for 4+1 mix because 35s simply won't be the stealth swiss army knife it was designed to be, largely due to software complexity that makes integration painful.