[Paul Ross]

Wasn't there some talk about trying to do a naval version of the F-15, which still has a nominal production availability to plug the gap here? The swing-wing F-22 Naval version (which Cheney was probably assuming would replace the F-14) got killed by Xlinton in 1993.

Meanwhile, time marches on, and not only do we have the evolving cruise missile threats, but an ongoing improvement in world fighter aviation, Su-30MK's and possibly the Mig 35 (the "ATFski").

[Tallguy]

Wasn't there some talk about trying to do a naval version of the F-15, which still has a nominal production availability to plug the gap here?

Hadn't heard that. It takes a lot to design a carrier fighter. The last time the Navy & Air Force attempted to combine on a fighter project was McNamara's TFX Project (the F-111). Even then the naval version, the F-111B, was significantly different from the Air Force's 'A' Model. Part commonality was very low and the Navy couldn't get the performance that they needed.

During the Carter Administration there was talk of making a naval version of the F-16. The Navy got the Hornet (2 engines) instead.