Comments on: House Approps Moving Defense Package

By: Cold Warrior

Cold Warrior — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:26:13 +0000

For once we agree, pfcem. Everyone seems to want to make the same mistakes we made in the past trying to build for the next war like it’s the current war. Of course the Army loves this because they become the prime focus.

A smart strategy is to hedge against all threats and be able to fight in more than one type of war. There is still no guarantee that a near-peer or peer threat will arise in the next decade.

Personally, I think the next conflict is going to be in South America as the rise of leftism is becoming an issue. Chavez and his cronies will have to be dealt with especially as they court Russia and China. Southcom will be today’s Centcom.

By: pfcem

pfcem — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:58:15 +0000

Chief,

No, I am NOT advocating that the USAF purchase F/A-18s. I simply pointed out that BOTH the F-15 & the F/A-18E/F cost ~$90 million each. SO every 3 4th generation legacy F-15 or F/A-18E/F you purchase is 2 5th generation AIR DOMINACE F-22s (which we NEED more of) you can’t purchase.

Purchasing F-15s, F-16s or F/A-18s (except for Growlers) at this point is a TOTAL waste of money given that the MUCH SUPERIOR F-22 is in production (with the cost DROPPING with every additional batch procured) & the F-35 is only a few years away from production.

FAR too many people are being WAY too short-sighted. The USAF figher fleet needs to be recapitalized (we are paying for the peace dividend BIG TIME) & it needs to be recapitalized to face FUTURE threats, not YESTERDAY’s threats.

By: Worm

Worm — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:32:28 +0000

Looking at this from an A to A standpoint, lots of the issues between the F-15 versus the F-22 have to do with the aircraft’s ability to penetrate ground defenses. F-15s can’t compete with many of today’s advanced radar and SAM sites, while the F-22 is functional enough to operate in those areas. We won’t know it until it happens (lets hope not). Also take into account that procuring the F-22 also cuts manpower needs for maintenance (on paper). Never turned a wrench in my life on an aircraft, but as we move to leaner forces with less money, the F-22 appears to be more sustainable in that world. The only thing that makes people treat the F-22 like its radioactive is the pricetag.

By: Sgt JFK

Sgt JFK — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:01:55 +0000

i don’t think we need to bring F-18s into the mix. Waste of money to build a new supply chain for a new airframe. I mean add some new F-15 airframes to carry bombs after air superiority has been obtained by the 22’s. Bomb Trucks. The B-1 has a poor readiness rating and the 52 is at the end of it’s life and can’t be a cost effective airframe to support.

By: Lightndattic

Lightndattic — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:02:50 +0000

Chief, the problem with the F-15’s standoff capability is the fact that before it can fire it’s missiles, it’s having to contend with a facefull of incoming, longer range AAMs. That’s the difference in capability between the F-15 and F-22. The F-22 can use it’s stealth and passive sensors to get to advantageous missile shot position (either head on or in trail) without the target being any wiser. The first indication of a Raptor’s presence is when the AMRAAM goes active.

By: Chief

Chief — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:25:30 +0000

You are advocating that the Air Force purchase F/A-18 ?? A lot of members of congress don’t beleive that we need that many F-22’s. The days of dogfighting are over and the F-15 with the V1 radar has almost the same stand off capability as a F-22

By: pfcem

pfcem — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:48:32 +0000

No, buying more F-15s for the US would be an utterly stupid idea. Perhaps you don’t realize that they coast about the same as a F/A-18E/F ($90 million each depending on how many you procure each year). Every 3 F-15s you buy is 2 less F-22s that we NEED that you can’t buy. While it would be nice to have more “medium range bomb trucks” ala F-111/F-15E there are simply MUCH higher priorities at the moment & Congress can’t even seem to provide the funds for them much less more “medium range bomb trucks”.

The F-35 wil be our major “bomb-truck” bothe before & after air superiority has been established and they will (eventually) cost a lot less than a new F-15.

By: Chief

Chief — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:55:09 +0000

I agree completely with JFK. Both Korea and Sinapore have doubled their orders of the F-15E so now would be a great time to buy some extras. Especially with the loss of 300 + “C” models with the Air Frame Problem.

By: Sgt JFK

Sgt JFK — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:16:37 +0000

Just a curiosity question. I think it’s great we are getting more F-22s but would it not make sense to buy a few more F-15s to use as “bomb trucks” once air superiority has been established? The line is still open so I would think this would not be a big deal. Any thoughts?