This is an updated video of Northrop-Grumman’s SABR project.
Contrary to what some think, the F-16 is not dead. Brand new F-16s (with AESA) would do well for the USAF once the F-22 does its work. Anyone wanting to save the USAF would do well to consider 20 Fighter Groups each with two Squadrons of 12 aircraft each as the new model to meet home air defense and expeditionary needs.
But no. The USAF fighter roadmap is off the rails.
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The F-15 SE would do well for Australia. That is brand new ones.
It can carry a lot of munitions and can do some serious damage and kilometres. I am pushing for this to be policy here.
While the F-22 would be nice to have, at the moment there is no possibility. Until someone with Israeli and Aussie connections in the Pentagon can twist a few arms in congress, we will have to do with the F-15 SE or even a more improved version that can outsmart the Russian and Chinese superfighters…….
ELP-
Yikes, you’ve got a total of only 480 manned USAF combat coded jets for both air superiority and strike in this scenario?? 20 groups x 24 a/c? Around what year are you assessing this force structure? If the total USAF fleet, say by 2025, then that is even lower than my lowball assessments and would probably factor in a more severe financial outlook then currently estimated.
Someone needs to buy F-16s within the next 6-8 months however (as I read it), if USAF is even able to procure supplemental 4.5 F-16xx (given an apparent 36 month lead-time requirement). The last F-16s will roll off the line end of 2013. Not sure if Congress is aware of this approaching deadline??
Maybe an annual procurement mix of 5-10 F-15E+, 15-20 block 60+ F-16 (not sure how much the line can/would be ramped up?) starting in FY12 as a MYB stopgap for at least a 3-4yr? Assuming F-35 development pushes ahead albeit with delayed MYB plans? Under a stay the course F-35A acquisition I can’t see more than 35, maybe 40 max units/yr under MYB.
For one thing, the unfunded, extended-SLEP option for existing legacy will have to come at a cost of… yep, F-35 buys.
F-16 block 60+ would have to suffice as an affordable stopgap supplement though, agreed, being that there is no F-16XL option, oops…
With latest off-the-shelf avionics and self-protection suites + DIRCM, improved power and new asymmetrical weapons (which must be an accelerated part of this 4.5 stopgap calculus), it being a baseline, would have to remain relevant as part of the strategic mix. (And one could argue for re-visiting even further evolved F-16 airframe developments in parallel).
F-16XL wing, NOTAMS exhaust nozzle with thrust vectoring, conformal fuel tanks, AESA radar … everything the F-35 ought to deliver, and can’t …
I’ll concur with your F-16Xl + CFT vote, Heretic. Cheers.