21st century Eagle

How about a Tomcat 21 level remake of the F-15 incorporating a host of “off the shelf” systems and ideas? This is based on the assumption that F-22 is pared down to “silver bullet” levels and JSF is axed. Studies have suggested that new F-15Cs could be built for as little as half of the original cost by incorporating the “lean” manufacturing techniques born of the JSF program and also by substituting cheaper materials in place of extravagently costly lightweight exotics.

This “F-15C+” study was originally intended to show that new aircraft could be built for less than the cost of a MLU but I think it would be ideal as the basis of a more modern remake.

My vision would be powered by a set of the imminent F100-PW-232 {36,000lb+ st each, very high commonality with older F100s} and use the all-new AESA radar set later planned for the Super Hornet. Self protection could be ably handled by the ALQ-214 IDECM suite, another E/F Hornet system. This might be a good time to go to a digital FBW system in the name of support and weight savings. The only real weakness of such an aircraft would be its high RCS, and I don’t see what could really be done about that realisticly, especially as I would be inclined to retain the engine inlet ramps as to keep the high speed advantage.

Thoughts?