Sure. The F-22 could even use its famous LB Lense too.
But, a good IR vid recording and slave the Irbis-E to F-22 from perhaps different angles at close range is better than.. wait for it.. Nothing.

Could be that these signature reading are stored in some data archive on board, to be toyed with when back to Base.
ELINT and Recon is a thing.

I suppose, but realistically both the US and Russia got a treasure trove of Elint data over Syria. Reason why Rivet Joint and Combat Sent were doing racetracks off Syrian coast at times.

These flights are more about testing reaction times, radar coverage, and “hello still here” from one part of the nuclear triad that can actually announce presence.

NATO reporting name Frisbee. That would be my vote.

Simply put, F-35 – or a targeting pod with basic ISR capabilities- has nothing such as a sophisticated and dedicated 1.5T reccepod can give (be it focal, number of sensors etc.). “basi isr” is also known as NT (non traditional) ISR.

Having to carry a 1.5 ton recce pod to possibly provide slightly superior ISR capability to the F-35’s incorporated sensors is a disadvantage, not an advance. “Big” SAR is coming to the F-35 in block 4.

Marcellogo, your ability to find personal offense in every response I make to your posts continues to astound me.

I stand by what I said, your interjecting your personal opinion about the F-35, into a complex political and defense policy issue. There is no “they”, the recently resigned Sec Air Force explicitly stated the USAF did not want or require any F-15, especially at the expense of 5th gen procurement. They, meaning the Air Force, did not see the need to replace F-15’s with more F-15’s. This decision was made at the SecDef level, with some support within the Pentagon outside of Shanahan.

The USAF Planned to have the F-15C until circa 2035, now that looks unlikely. As I said in previous post, the is a need for massive Recap of platforms within Air Force. This F-15EX buy isn’t about a lack of confidence in the F-35’s abilities as you suggest, more a lack of confidence in the ability to ramp up F-35 procurement, training, support, and sustainment to meet the needs of ALL the impending platform obsolesce and end service life.

Edit- one last thing, stop with the “I’m just an impartial observer viewing this objectively” act. Your bias is as obvious as us all. I’ve read your posts here and on Russiadefense enough to understand your point of view. Frankly, I smile a bit everytime you lecture me about Chauvinism.

http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineA…vs-F-35A-.aspx

Probably the most sustainable reason for the quixotic F-15EX purchase mentioned in this article.

F-15 squadrons could transition to the F-15EX in a matter of weeks, whereas converting pilots, maintainers, facilities and equipment to the F-35 takes many months, the Air Force says

Even with the added F-35A in FY2020 defense appropriations bill (and likely in subsequent years), the number of fighter squadrons is going to dip with the retirement of F-15C. Transitioning from F-15C to F-15EX would at lease alleviate a near term shortage of air superiority assets. I think it generous to state that transitioning squadrons to F-35’s takes “many months”, probably more like several years for training, infrastructure, and proficiency.

Still, in light of impending budget squeeze, maintaining the planned F-35 procurement rate should take precedence in USAF requests. If Congress wants to add money on top of that for F-15EX. let them do it. The USN plays Congress beautifully, recommend retiring (CVN, CG-47, etc.) early to fund procurement and outcry leads to Congress (mostly) funding both requested procurement and RCOH/operations costs for CVN-75 just like previous CG-47 retirement threat.

https://sofiaglobe.com/2019/05/16/price-remains-issue-in-bulgarias-negotiations-on-acquiring-f-16s/

Bulgaria balking at F-16 Block 70 contract cost, may look to Saab. That would give an interesting comparison.

Rafale arrived in switzerland for eval. Interesting to notice that one of them is bearing a sniper pod and HMJ (Targo II)

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That is a stock picture, not from Swiss arrival. Look back on Qatar Targo II news. Same picture.