The USMC would probably want a hybrid between the A & C models if they were forced that route. They’ll probably want the internal gau-22 and an emphasis on external stores. The USMC isn’t probably as concerned about stealth as the other services considering the role they play.

Maybe the RN should consider getting behind the J-UCAS program if they want to really extend the power of their carriers when they implement catapults. What better for a stealth strike mission than something like that?

The U.S. did not have air superiority over Baghdad. Losses of American aircraft were definitely expected by both sides. The U.S. freely operated their stealths in a vacuum over Baghdad left behind because the Iraqis would not endanger their own fighters when operating their missiles for defense. They obviously didn’t feel comfortable engaging the stealths either inbound or on the egress for whatever reasons. The Iraqis dropped the ball and let them in and out mostly uncontested when it comes down to it. America didn’t sit on their laurels and feel invincible. They took a lesson and developed all sorts of new weapons just in case the next country it fought actually fought back.

How long would this dev program last?

Post #19 of this thread covers my time-line.

Maybe ANG could simply acquire a couple hundred existing new build F-16 and F-15 platforms over the next 7-8 yrs, for the same cost it would take to develop something brand new and maybe get into production?

I’d be concerned about the flight time consumption of resources over the life-time of the program. We need to trend towards lighter usage, not greater. While the outright purchase of the F-16 and F-15 might be possible, the reality is that our nation is limited in petroleum resources and have to plan for that. We need to be able to flex our muscles even if there is a considerable drop in supply.

What I’d hope would happen is a new airframe got developed that was suitable to the job and at the same time homegrown. This is the only reason I could see an F-50 alike getting the green light. An interceptor would need to be bigger than that tiny airframe IMHO. Engineers would be able to flesh out the details better.

During computerized war simulations in the 80’s the reds had unlimited fuel resources while the blues always fought a clock for gathering reserves together. The blue regularly finished on top unless the war was protracted. It was force a cease fire or die the slow painful starvation of resources, which the reds depended on some favorable outcomes to get that far into the games.

I fear a conventional war would have emboldened the west too much for their own good. So good they might have pushed for an outcome that could easily turn atomic red hot. Luckily we avoided that historical twist.

In the context of aviation the petroleum supplies would have been stressed if they massed air groups when attacking. One attack may have depleted their standing supplies so much that a loss of reserves would turn the tide on them quickly. Without superior force in numbers it’s not likely their effectiveness would have been enough to justify the act.

Not really. One Erieye is very patchy coverage at best.

When your neighborhood is largely blind to the tasks you are performing they are not critical. When you suddenly get unwanted attention it tends to alter relationships. The guy in charge of Saudi Arabia would like nothing better than to be a hero to the Arab world by leaning on the Israelis, much to the chagrin of the United States. Regardless of if the coverage is patchy or not, its seeing activity that wasn’t get much light shed on it previously.