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Originally Posted by gunnut
...I just think if one goes with the F-15SG option then this same problem will return in 15 years. If one goes with the F-35, it may not be delivered for another 10 years, but it'll remain in service for the 30 years after that.
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That's exactly why they are not looking seriously at an F-15 variant. The St. Louis line will be shutting down in a few years, just about the time that the F-111's are retiring. You don't want to induct a new AC at the same time as it's going out of production! Superbugs would be a better choice based on that criteria, but performance is a little lackluster for the role.
F-35's and Raptors are the solution, $$$ is the problem, lol.
Since we know they aren't going to be springing for a bunch of Raptors any time soon, then leasing 20-30 new Dark Grays seems the obvious way to go to me. Take the money you would spend on extending the F-111 service life, 1/2 of the money on the HUG center barrel replacements, and apply all of that money to lease payments for a much more capable platform.
Then, in 2020 or so, after the new F-35's are all up to speed, give the F-15's back to Boeing- who knows, by then Raptors might not be quite so pricey...
