Posted on 07/12/2010 5:05:25 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Israeli Defense Ministry is talking with the Pentagon about buying Boeing's F-15E1 because of delays in developing Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Israel's first choice for its next major fighter purchase, The Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
The Israeli air force took considerable interest in the F-15E1's 80-minute maiden flight over St. Louis at the weekend.
"While Boeing is still reportedly awaiting Pentagon approval to export the plane, Israel has already held a number of initial discussions regarding the plane and its capabilities," the Post reported.
The Israelis haven't reached a decision on whether to stick with the F-35, despite the 2-year delay in its development that was announced by the U.S. Department of Defense March 11 and the possibility that there could be further problems.
The delays mean the F-35 wouldn't be ready for operational deployment until 2015 instead of 2013, well past the date the Israelis wants to acquire new strike aircraft.
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
Dear Voters in the State of Missouri:
How many jobs do you want the Democrats to destroy?
“Could the F-15 SE be delivered by 2013 and what is the cost difference from the F-35?”
The stealthy F-15 are about $100MMM, while the F-35s are about $150MMM
See my post above.
The days of purpose built, mission specific aircraft are over, but that being said, we don’t know that it “will NOT perform its jobs as well”.
The flight testing program is “just starting” and is still in it’s infancy.
The stealthy F-16 replacement is what the F35 is. Can the F-16 do the jobs it’s been tasked to do? Talk about “bastardization”.
I’m no fan of “corporate mealy-mouthing” either, but to box the aircraft in when it hasn’t even been given a chance to demonstrate what it’s capable of is short sighted.
If we felt this way with every aircraft, the F14, F15, F16, F117, etc. might not have ever taken to the skies.
I did not know the price got that high on them, that’s outrageous. That is about what a B-1 Bomber cost when it came out.
The F-15 SE should not be costing $100MMM either. Something is wrong here.
The F-15 will be better in a high altitude high speed fight, but once it slows down a little bit the F-18 will have the edge. Thats just my take though.
We need them both of course, they fill different roles.
Thank man, didn’t even see I missed putting in the Link.
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