I agree with you, go buy strike eagles and tell Lockheed to suck it. Maybe they’d reconsider selling block 60 F-16s after a couple hundred strike eagles were purchased. Right now, the F-35 is the only jet on the USAF table as far as Lockheed is concerned. USAF bought the last F-16 in 2006.
Yes, especially because we need new airframes and large numbers of 4+ generation birds in the sky. The platforms we have now are worn out. Literally worn out.
The F-15c-2040 is better than anything in the sky now with the exception of the F-22.
So, yes, Strike Eagles and F-15c-2040's are the logical answer. Especially with Lockheed being a dick about it.
We need birds in the sky, lots of them because what we have now is WORN OUT.
And, I don't know what can be done for the Navy and Marines.
Certainly with the Marines you keep pursuing the F-35 and more/better helicopters. Try to keep what Harriers that are left, running.
But we have a fairly serious gap in the Navy.
My opinion is we go to Boeing/McDonnell Douglas (again!) and ask them for a bigger, faster Super Hornet with all new avionics/radars/weapons systems that they can start shipping in 1 year. Criteria: Beat Lockheed on the F-35 in the price/performance ratio and tell us why this platform will be good for 25 years.
These steps will bring Lockheed to heel and cause them to improve their products and price.