[hchutch]

True.

Although, I'd rather look into a recon variant of the F-16C Block 50. Give it two Slammers, two HARMs, and a centerline camera pod.

That platform probably would have bagged the Iraqi fighters, completed the mission, and gone home.

[El Gato]

Although, I'd rather look into a recon variant of the F-16C Block 50. Give it two Slammers, two HARMs, and a centerline camera pod.

F-15E variant might have more promise. Add the camera pod, and it could still carrry the two Slammers, two, HARMs, two 'winders, and a couple of cluster bombs, "just in case". With the FAST packs, it would also have the legs to actually get to something interesting to take a picture of, without requiring any or so many tankers.

That platform probably would have bagged the Iraqi fighters, completed the mission, and gone home.

No doubt, as would a recon equiped F-18D variant.