Posted on 11/20/2015 10:19:27 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter might not be produced in sufficient numbers to maintain the U.S. Air Force’s current operational capabilities due to budgetary constraints, according to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. As a result the service is considering filling the capabilities gap with 72 Boeing F-15s, Lockheed-Martin F-16’s, or even Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
“F-15s and F-16s are now expected to serve until 2045, when an all-new aircraft will be ready, and plans to modernize F-16s with active electronically scanned array radars and other improvements are being revived,†the article states.
U.S. Air Force officials and industry officials revealed as much at the Defense IQ International Fighter Conference, which took place November 17-19 in London. The U.S. Air Force “is struggling to afford 48 F-35s a year†for the first years of full-rate production a senior Air Force officer told Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
Full rate-production is slated to begin in 2019 and the U.S. Air Force wants to buy 60 planes in 2020, and 80 F-35 per year after that. This year, the Air Force is to receive 28 F-35s, whereas in 2016 the number is slated to increase to 44. By 2038, the service wants to have 1763 F-35 aircraft in service. However, this procurement schedule might not be financially feasible for the Air Force.
“Consequently, F-15s and F-16s will serve longer and will outnumber F-35s and F-22s through the late 2020s,†Aerospace Daily &Defense Report notes. The article furthermore explains:
The service is looking at a three-tier force, with 300 F-16s and some F-15s being modernized “to augment the F-35 and F-22 in a high-end fight†and others assigned to low-end operations, while the contemplated 72-aircraft buy (an Air Force wing) would sustain force numbers and provide additional modern aircraft.
Interestingly, a senior U.S. Air Force official revealed that “the last time we looked, this was more expensive than buying F-35s in bulk.†However, he confirmed that the option of purchasing 72 aircraft is nevertheless still on the table.
The U.S. Air Force has already asked for cost estimates on procuring new F-15s and life-extension/upgrade options. “Also under consideration is a plan to augment U.S. Air Force electronic attack capabilities by fitting some F-15Es with a version of the Raytheon Next Generation Jammer pod,†the article states.
Overall, the Pentagon is planning to procure 2,457 aircraft by 2038. Total acquisition costs are estimated at over $400 billion making it the U.S. military’s most expensive acquisition program. Operation and support costs throughout the aircraft’s lifetime are estimated at over a $1 trillion.
The supersonic fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter exists in three variants: The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant for the U.S. Navy; the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant for the U.S. Marine Corps, and the F-35C carrier-suitable variant for the U.S. Navy.
Whatever happened to the F22?....................
I’ve been wondering when this option would be put on the table.
Of note: “Overall, the Pentagon is planning to procure 2,457 aircraft by 2038. Total acquisition costs are estimated at over $400 billion making it the U.S. military’s most expensive acquisition program. Operation and support costs throughout the aircraft’s lifetime are estimated at over a $1 trillion.”
Are we MAYBE getting serious about rebuilding our eroded capabilities? This is only “expensive” in green eyeshade world. Freedom is priceless and needs to be the country’s top budget priority.
Only took two posts, not bad.
Probaby threw away the dies...
5.56mm
I have wondered if a common sense approach like this might be considered. I’d be happy to see the 35 S-canned and replaced by an equal number of F-15SE. That would be a force to be reckoned with for a long time. The problem with that solution would become aircrews. The situational capability of a two man crew is a significant advantage.
I’d like to see Lockheed punished as much as possible.
One recently retired Air Force official with direct knowledge about the service’s efforts to repair two damaged Raptors said that they faced severe difficulties with retrieving the correct tooling. In one example, Air Force maintainers needed to build a particular component from scratch to replace a severely damaged part for an F-22. The crews went into the Conex boxes where the tooling and instructions to build the part were allegedly stored, but to their considerable surprise and aggravation, the container was empty. The same pattern repeated itself several times—and as of the last time the source checked-the issue remains unresolved. The bottom line is that even if the Air Force wanted to, it may not be physically possible to restart the line—at least not without a huge additional investment in time and money.
PS. Lockheed’s corrupt lobby practices go all the way back to the F-104 and resulted in Carter passing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Boeing isn’t lily white but is a lot better than Lockheed.
we learned that the F 35 must be debriefed over the internet after each mission before it can go out again
one wonders if that shortfall alone isn’t enough to get rid of all but a few
There will be a lot more bang for the buck with ằs and ẳs I think, especially if we follow the Israelis’ lead on upgrading and modifying.
There will be a lot more bang for the buck with ằs and ẳs I think, especially if we follow the Israelis’ lead on upgrading and modifying.
Now, if the navy could come up with a modernized F-14.
How about a couple of hundred A-10 Warthogs?
Using technological updates, this airframe design could be flying yet in 2050. Its value as a close air support for ground troops, its airworthiness, even after sustaining what would be catastrophic damage in most other designs, its capability to take out medium or even relatively heavy armor, its capability to operate from forward bases even with primitive servicing facilities, or to take off and land on rough airfields.
Coming in at treetop level at about 350 mph, and launch an air-to-surface missile at a target more than 4 miles away, circle back, and make another run. This has to shake up the morale of the enemy troops, especially if they see their entire support and supply convoy being destroyed around them.
A large part of warfare is to intimidate the enemy into surrender or flight. They run far enough, they won’t counterattack. They might even die tired.
The F-22 is no longer in production, while the F-15 and F-16 are. Besides being cheaper aircraft in general, more Eagles and Vipers can be bought off the line, even if it means bumping production intended for foreign sales.
The F-15E is a much better strike/interdiction platform than the F-22 in all respects but stealth. The F-16 is a better light strike aircraft than the F-22 in all respects but stealth.
If the F-22 had a weapons bay capable of handling 2000lb class weapons, or the self-designation capabilities conveyed by LANTIRN/LITENING/SNIPER pods, plus better external weapons carriage, it might be a good option in lieu of the F-15E. But that would have to be integrated into the airframe, understanding that it would be at the expense of stealth ...
And so on.
Can’t afford to order more than the original 200 or so F-22’s. Just like the Seawolf class submarine it was an apex platform that may never be outdone.
Agree 100%. For the asymmetrical warfare against non-state terrorists without an Air Force, it is an ideal platform. We should be building hundreds of them. That titanium armor tub keeps our pilots alive. The BBRRATTT of the cannon destroys and demoralizes the enemy.
Thanks for the info.
Who got fired (rifted or retired)?
5.56mm
IMHO, the F-22 is superior to the F-35 and the F-15/16 variants................
I was wondering when the crooked politicians and the back room deals would catch up!!!!
F14s were out a long time ago. The super terrific SecDef Dick Cheney ordered the tooling and dies destroyed.
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