USAF to Order New F-15's

To go back to the F15 would be a retrograde step. It was, is and always will be a great aircraft but its time has gone. If there is a requirement for increased numbers at relatively low cost there are better options around. However I wouldn't mind a small punt on this originating with a politician somewhere who wants to keep a factory in business, or just make a name for themselves.

FLYBOYJ said:

"It sounds like you work at a LMCO subcontractor - there are times where decisions are made at the prime level that are generated by the government, like the F-35 "cost over-runs" which (as you may know) is nothing more than the government willing to accept a price increase for a given task or service or for an add on. I just left a job where I spent 14 years working with folks from AETC and many of them were Eagle drivers. As much as the F-15 is loved, re-opening this line would be recognized as a step backwards as right now the USAF has sold it's sole to the F-22 and F-35.

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My apologies, while I no longer work there, I stay in touch and still occasionally provide assistance. Their changes did nothing to improve functionality, but made it more gee-whiz, added costs and more small parts to break and cause FOD. I will admit I thoroughly despise the JAPO for that certain aircraft. (It's like they turned loose 24 year old O-1 pilots and said "buy whatever shiny things you want". That's the curmudgeon mechanic in me speaking.)

Am in full agreement that the USAF would be better served by buying more F-22. However, they need airframes right now, and the costs of bringing back the F-22 might be prohibitive right now.

FLYBOYJ said:

"
And at the end of the day the powers to be at NAVAIR let the -14 go away despite the article about the F-14D (similar to the one posted by the OP). I worked with both Hornet and Tomcat maintainers at Pt. Mugu during the late 1990s, early 2000s and the consensus was the -14 needed to go away and there was great love for the Hornet

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And they were right. The slow, torturous death of the F-14 was a combination of the ascendancy of the -18 Mafia, Dick Cheney, and Grumman themselves. The airplane needed to go away because it was starved for funds (Witness the support on the AIM-54) and the parts train was almost all reworked crap. (Grumman also delivered rather sketchy quality into the early 90's as well.) Had I had my druthers there would have been a eight plane F-14D Det on each carrier with the AIM-54 and set-up as Weasels as well. (I know, more money.) I would have been content with a non-surge peacetime 70% FMC rate.

I did the USN sunset on the F-4 (VF-202) and the RH-53D, and we had better parts and support than what the F-14 got post cold-war.

Glider said:

To go back to the F15 would be a retrograde step. It was, is and always will be a great aircraft but its time has gone. If there is a requirement for increased numbers at relatively low cost there are better options around. However I wouldn't mind a small punt on this originating with a politician somewhere who wants to keep a factory in business, or just make a name for themselves.

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Please keep in mind, bodies are important. Keeping a line open to retain trained bodies is sometimes not a bad idea.

jetcal1 said:

Please keep in mind, bodies are important. Keeping a line open to retain trained bodies is sometimes not a bad idea.

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That's true of course. But the US have the market and the skills to look at alternatives. In the 1970's they developed the F5E, today if they want a cheaper aircraft to the F35 they could do something similar or take an available airframe such as the Typhoon and enhance it. There are options.

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