JASDF may be in the market for more F-35s

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 02 Jan 2019, 10:31

Might as well state the USAF is going to retire the F-22, the F-35A, and every other aircraft in inventory. Last I heard every aircraft will eventually be retired.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 02 Jan 2019, 11:42

weasel1962 wrote:Might as well state the USAF is going to retire the F-22, the F-35A, and every other aircraft in inventory. Last I heard every aircraft will eventually be retired.

Fact is the USAF has a plan to retire the F-15C soon.....(Yet, feel free to believe what you like?) :shock:

aussiebloke · by **aussiebloke** » 02 Jan 2019, 13:39

Corsair1963 wrote:

Fact is the USAF has a plan to retire the F-15C soon.....(Yet, feel free to believe what you like?)

It doesn't sound like it is going to happen anytime soon. Otherwise why would the USAF contemplate spending scarce funds on this aircraft?

"In general, the fighter force structure must include a mix of legacy aircraft to maintain required capacity. The Air Force will
continue to invest in sustainment and modernization of the F-22 (enhancing lethality, survivability and connectivity), the F-15C/E (enhancing radar, avionics processing, and select defensive systems), the F-16 (improving the radar, avionics processing capability, and defensive systems), and the A-10 fleet (maintaining sustainable combat-coded A-l 0 aircraft and
ensuring the overall health and continued viability of the platform) until a time when recapitalization of select legacy aircraft
is directed."
From the Annual Aviation Inventory and Funding Plan Fiscal Years (FY) 2019-2048 - published in March 2018.
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1062648.pdf

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 02 Jan 2019, 14:31

Plans are one thing. Actualizing those plans is quite another.

What will keep the F-15C going is that it has numerous and substantial performance advantages vs. the F-16. And most important of all: It enjoys support from Congressmen. The Fake Indian Elizabeth Warren for example isn't going to be having the USAF pulling Eagles out of the 104th fighter wing at Barnes airport in Westfield, MA (responsible for air defense of the entire Northeast).

Not going to happen anytime soon...

element1loop · by **element1loop** » 02 Jan 2019, 16:11

mixelflick wrote:Plans are one thing. Actualizing those plans is quite another. What will keep the F-15C going is that it has numerous and substantial performance advantages vs. the F-16. And most important of all: It enjoys support from Congressmen. Not going to happen anytime soon...

How many new USAF F-35A will be coming off the line each year? They have to retire stuff to get people and resources for those to become operational. Old stuff has to go (and it is old). F-22A and F-35A are both much more capable in A2A, at this point, and getting better fast, and F-15C is back-of-the-bus in comparison from here. So why would the F-15C not be on the way out, if the F-15E is staying on for as much as 15 more years?

An F-15C squadron scheduled to get F-35As ... they'd be vigorously protesting that not one bit.

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 02 Jan 2019, 17:48

element1loop wrote:
mixelflick wrote:Plans are one thing. Actualizing those plans is quite another. What will keep the F-15C going is that it has numerous and substantial performance advantages vs. the F-16. And most important of all: It enjoys support from Congressmen. Not going to happen anytime soon...

How many new USAF F-35A will be coming off the line each year? They have to retire stuff to get people and resources for those to become operational. Old stuff has to go (and it is old). F-22A and F-35A are both much more capable in A2A, at this point, and getting better fast, and F-15C is back-of-the-bus in comparison from here. So why would the F-15C not be on the way out, if the F-15E is staying on for as much as 15 more years?

An F-15C squadron scheduled to get F-35As ... they'd be vigorously protesting that not one bit.

Didn't say the squadron mates would be protesting. They'd probably be celebrating. But you have to consider Congress's argument: "It's the single most dominant air to air machine ever fielded". "My constituents have been very clear - keep the F-15's and save our jobs". Blah Blah Blah. You and others here make rational points about the F-35 being so much better at well, everything. And I wholeheartedly agree. But Congress and those higher up in the military sometimes do irrational things. Like oh, I dunno... cutting the Raptor at 187 airframes?

If they hadn't done that, we wouldn't be having this conversation...

wrightwing · by **wrightwing** » 02 Jan 2019, 21:17

Corsair1963 wrote:
weasel1962 wrote:Might as well state the USAF is going to retire the F-22, the F-35A, and every other aircraft in inventory. Last I heard every aircraft will eventually be retired.

Fact is the USAF has a plan to retire the F-15C soon.....(Yet, feel free to believe what you like?)

Soon isn't 2019, though. Think 2030.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 03 Jan 2019, 00:33

wrightwing wrote:
Corsair1963 wrote:
weasel1962 wrote:Might as well state the USAF is going to retire the F-22, the F-35A, and every other aircraft in inventory. Last I heard every aircraft will eventually be retired.

Fact is the USAF has a plan to retire the F-15C soon.....(Yet, feel free to believe what you like?)

Soon isn't 2019, though. Think 2030.

Never said tomorrow but I doubt it will start by 2030 more like end...Of course all depends on funding over the next 5-10 years.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 03 Jan 2019, 00:51

aussiebloke wrote:
Corsair1963 wrote:

Fact is the USAF has a plan to retire the F-15C soon.....(Yet, feel free to believe what you like?)

It doesn't sound like it is going to happen anytime soon. Otherwise why would the USAF contemplate spending scarce funds on this aircraft?

"In general, the fighter force structure must include a mix of legacy aircraft to maintain required capacity. The Air Force will
continue to invest in sustainment and modernization of the F-22 (enhancing lethality, survivability and connectivity), the F-15C/E (enhancing radar, avionics processing, and select defensive systems), the F-16 (improving the radar, avionics processing capability, and defensive systems), and the A-10 fleet (maintaining sustainable combat-coded A-l 0 aircraft and
ensuring the overall health and continued viability of the platform) until a time when recapitalization of select legacy aircraft
is directed."
From the Annual Aviation Inventory and Funding Plan Fiscal Years (FY) 2019-2048 - published in March 2018.
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1062648.pdf

QUOTE:

By JAMES BOLINGER | STARS AND STRIPES
Published: June 8, 2018

The Air Force canceled expensive upgrades to 196 F-15C fighters last year as it hammered out a plan to retire the jets, according to a recently declassified report.

The fighters were supposed to get new electronic warfare equipment known as the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System, said the Department of Defense Inspector General report declassified on May 21.The Air Force had planned to spend $3.4 billion installing the gear on all F-15Cs and 217 F-15Es, giving them “electronic warfare capabilities to detect and identify air and ground threats, employ counter-measures, and jam enemy radar signals,” the report said.

However, in February 2017 the service ordered a 47 percent cut to the number of jets getting the new equipment, which replaces a dated 1970s electronic warfare package and is designed to increase the F-15C’s survivability in a contested environment.

The IG report outlined a timeline for retiring the jets, but many details were redacted......

https://www.stripes.com/news/air-force- ... s-1.531719

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 03 Jan 2019, 01:17

So what's the timeline stated by IG?

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 03 Jan 2019, 01:55

weasel1962 wrote:So what's the timeline stated by IG?

The plan is in place but it hasn't been made public yet....

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 03 Jan 2019, 02:40

So you know the plan and the date?

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 03 Jan 2019, 03:00

weasel1962 wrote:So you know the plan and the date?

I do not have the exact time table at the moment. Just that the USAF has a plan to retire the F-15C early. Which, I have already provided sources for.......

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 03 Jan 2019, 03:20

Just wanted to be clear, you don't have access to the IG report?

Remind me which of your sources have stated 2030 as the completion for F-15C retirement again? Pardon my eye sight but I don't seem to read it.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 03 Jan 2019, 03:33

weasel1962 wrote:Just wanted to be clear, you don't have access to the IG report?

Remind me which of your sources have stated 2030 as the completion for F-15C retirement again? Pardon my eye sight but I don't seem to read it.

Your good at being smart but that's about all....Nonetheless, another member suggested the F-15C would retire like 2030. I replied that would "likely" be closer to the end not the beginning of it's retirement. Yet, a number of public sources some have suggested the F-15C will retire mid 2020's. Either way I am sure the specific plan will be released by the USAF very soon...