re: Military Aircraft Gurus

quote:

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I don't understand why we're buy more F-15s instead of just more F-35s.

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The blowhard has no idea what he's talking about.
F-15EX's are serving two purposes.
1. Replacement of old arse F-15C/D's that several alert squadrons/national guard units use. They don't need F-35's and the EX's slide right into current mission sets whereas F-35's would require more training and MX setup.
2. F-15EX's work with the F-35's in a combat situation. F-35's can penetrate enemy air defenses and provide targeting info for the F-15EX's which are serving as missile trucks from a safe distance.

In the end, USAF is only buying 80 while they will acquire 3000 F-35's. It's just covering a temporary gap. The future state of air combat will be cheaper autonomous drones that fly alongside F-35's or NGAD. This will allow us to add far more capability for cheaper.