250 new modernized F-15E or F-16

After a period of limited programs designed to develop indigenous aircraft, the PLAAF has increased its acquisition of both domestic and Russian aircraft. The procurement of advanced strike, refueling, and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft represents the most visible component of China’s air force modernization. Specifically, it has acquired advanced multirole combat aircraft, including the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30, Chinese J-8 and J-10 fighters, Ilyushin transports, and indigenously produced AWACS platforms. These aircraft provide China with tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, but the lack of a long-range bomber prevents it from projecting airpower beyond the Pacific. - Erik Lin-Greenberg.

The thousands of J–6 fighters that once made up the fighter fleet have been retired: about 1,000 older J–7 and J–8 fighters remain in service, including 32 Russian-built Su-27UBK multirole fighters and 116 Chinese-assembled Su-27 variants; 73 Russian Su-33MKK fighters; and 62 of the new, indigenously produced J–10 multirole fighters. China is also developing
and purchasing force multipliers, including advanced transport aircraft, tankers, and airborne early warning aircraft. - P h i l l i p C . Sa u n d e r s and E r i k R . Q u a m

I'd like to see 400 to 450 F-22 Raptors. The only viable reason to lesson that I see is if Lockheed Martin comes out with the FB-22 see this link http://www.air-attack.com/page/26/FB-22 ... omber.html

Niether one will happen.

unless the "next gen" bomber is based on an F-22, then you just might see that many F-22 derivatives.

My guess is that instead of the current plan to buy a total of 1763 F-35As and 185 Raptors (yes, they funded two more), it'll end up something like 1300 F-35As and about 300 F-22As. This will see F-22A lines open until 2014 (at 20 aircrafts per year) when the F-35A reaches full rate production of about 120~150 aircrafts per year (including exported builds). The USAF wants 380 Raptors, but it is unlikely that they'll get them.

There won't be anny USAF F-16 or F-15 buys. Zero. They have made that crystal clear. What will happen is that some of the Eagles and sixteens will receive some airframe life extension refits. Most notably, all surviving F-15s are currently slated to get either the APG-63(v)3 or (v)4 AESA radars.

Greetings, shadowruse,

I believe that, though less ordinance will be needed, there will still be a need for long range bombers capable of delivering large payloads simply because it is more efficient for fewer aircraft to deliver ordinance than for larger numbers of aircraft to execute the mission.

I doubt that the USAF will resume purchasing either F-15’s or F-16’s in the future because, while they may be less expensive to build than F-22’s or possibly even F-35’s, the newer models are less expensive to maintain & operate. Since those savings are recurrent over the expected life of the newer models, they probably are expected to offset any greater build expense of the newer models. Furthermore, fewer F-22’s and F-35’s should be needed to achieve the same total combat power achievable by F-15’s & F-16’s. Again, fewer planes in operation is more efficient than more planes.

I suspect that the USAF is pushing for more F-22’s & F-35’s, not simply because they’re newer, but because they’re ultimately more economical than their predecessors. But I admit that this is just pure speculation on my part.