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A new F15-EX comes with a lifetime of 25,000 flying hours. An F35 only has 9,000. We have extensive history that the F15 flying hours are a solid estimate, wh

A new F15-EX comes with a lifetime of 25,000 flying hours. An F35 only has 9,000. We have extensive history that the F15 flying hours are a solid estimate, while the F35 estimate seems a bit high. An F15 has much better range than and F35. An F15 can carry a lot more armament than an F35. F15s are much more suitable for the interceptor role than F35. Do you really want to burn precious F35 hours to send a fast jet out over the Atlantic to take a look at something, or send an F15? The F15 will be able to reach out a lot farther, get there faster, be able to do more when it gets there. It may not be as survivable as an F35 in a near peer combat situation, but that's why we have the F35.

nradov 3y ago
The F-15, F-16, and F-22 will still be used for the Homeland defense mission (looking at something out over the Atlantic). The F-35 is more intended for expeditionary warfare.
openasocket 3y ago
Do you have a source on the f15 having better range? My understanding was that the f35 was actually slightly better under combat conditions, because the weapons are stored internally and don't introduce drag. And it's a bit of apples and oranges, probably better to compare the f35 to the f16, where the f35 offers much better range than the f16. But yeah the f35 is a dramatically worse price, not just in upfront cost but also maintenance. I'm not sure how much of that is due to the stealth coating and overall airframe, and how much of that is from the improved sensors. Regardless, I think it makes sense to use the f35 and f15 together in a high/low mix. Specialize the f35 for SEAD and interdiction in a high threat environment, opening the doors for the f15 to act as a "bomb truck". f15 is also probably a more efficient delivery vehicle for stand off weapons, like JASSM.
- master_crab 3y ago
  Those internal weapon bays are great for minimizing radar signature but also detract from internal fuel space. Drag is a secondary concern compared to fuel capacity. AF has public fact sheets on F-15 and F-35 ranges (3400 vs 1200 respectively). It’s trivial google search. The Navy and Marine version have worse ranges because of their mission profile.

nradov 3y ago

The F-15, F-16, and F-22 will still be used for the Homeland defense mission (looking at something out over the Atlantic). The F-35 is more intended for expeditionary warfare.

openasocket 3y ago

Do you have a source on the f15 having better range? My understanding was that the f35 was actually slightly better under combat conditions, because the weapons are stored internally and don't introduce drag. And it's a bit of apples and oranges, probably better to compare the f35 to the f16, where the f35 offers much better range than the f16. But yeah the f35 is a dramatically worse price, not just in upfront cost but also maintenance. I'm not sure how much of that is due to the stealth coating and overall airframe, and how much of that is from the improved sensors. Regardless, I think it makes sense to use the f35 and f15 together in a high/low mix. Specialize the f35 for SEAD and interdiction in a high threat environment, opening the doors for the f15 to act as a "bomb truck". f15 is also probably a more efficient delivery vehicle for stand off weapons, like JASSM.

master_crab 3y ago
Those internal weapon bays are great for minimizing radar signature but also detract from internal fuel space. Drag is a secondary concern compared to fuel capacity. AF has public fact sheets on F-15 and F-35 ranges (3400 vs 1200 respectively). It’s trivial google search. The Navy and Marine version have worse ranges because of their mission profile.