It costs a lot to run a school house for each aircraft, maintain ranges, maintain logistics for each, train dedicated support people, etc. The F-22 and the F-15E have the same basic mission so with dwindling resources the AF will have to make a tough choice.
One of the big issues facing the military right now is manning. The AF manning is at its lowest point since the AF was created in 1947. There aren’t enough pilots and support personnel for the airplanes we have in the inventory, let alone new ones.
I was the Superintendent of the F-15 pilot training schoolhouse 20 years ago and I have nothing but respect for the plane. The F-15 is a very capable aircraft and would be effective against most potential threats. It’s much cheaper than the F-22s, but from what I’ve gathered from talking to the pilots that have flown both - the F-22 excels in several key areas. It’s stealthier and it’s more maneuverable. In a one-on-one engagement the F-15s can’t survive against the F-22.
The F-15s are 1970’s technology. They’re a great airplane, but not as good as the newer fifth generation fighters.
I never cease to be amazed by the depth, quality, or experience of people here on FR.
“...so with dwindling resources the AF will have to make a tough choice.”
Seems to me if the albatross of political correctness and social engineering was removed from the military, existing funding would be sufficient. There are the direct costs in dollars, and indirect costs in low morale.
Then the only tough choice would be who to use our hardware on and when.
Am I right?
Also retired USAF (from the spook world, with lots of time at the unit level)..you are correct. Remember a conversation with an Eagle driver at Langley, back when the 1st FW still had F-15s and F-22s. Asked him about flying against the Raptor. His answer: “the engagements are pretty simple; they always kill us long before we can see them.” After a few evolutions, we (the F-15 element) break off and fly against each other and get some actual training done.”