I can’t imagine the RAF would have seriously considered the F-22 even briefly. The prospect of a tiny fleet of F-22’s or 250 Typhoon to recap their fleet. Of course, even the RAF could have realized they weren’t getting 250, or even 230 Typhoon once the “peace dividend” kicked in.

Thankfully the RAF was smart enough to avoid any temptation, as there is no way current defense climate would have allowed any “Raptor GR.1” to be upgraded and sustained. The only intriguing “what if” in such a fantasy scenario is how many pence on the dollar those F-22 would have been sold back to the US for.

Yup, and the F-16C originally failed in the 1980’s due to higher Nz stress and weight growth, and again suffered structural cracks in the tests on block 40 aircraft in the 90’s. Remedial programs were able to address these issues successfully (obviously).

Think it’s safe to say that the testing already completed on the F-35 shows a sturdy airframe (the “B” issues aside). Not to say that weight growth couldn’t lead to future problems like the F-16 has experienced, but structural testing has progressed in the last few decades.

Did you read the article?
Apart from that it woudn’t be first time USA behave in such a way)

What is truly amusing would be a Dassault executive in India having to explain a situation similar to Taiwan’s “no strings attached” experience with French combat aircraft when tensions with China ramp up.
“Well, we planned to upgrade those Rafale… soon, Twice the cost for parts than US aircraft? Ummmmm…”

No need for Gallic fierte from French posters, I think the Rafale was an excellent choice for India, only giving Hallow a bit of his own constant misrepresentations and trolling.

“Robust”? That’s pretty barebones – basically dumb bombs and cluster munitions.

No standoff missile, no SEAD, no runway denial munitions, no self-designation, no rocket pods, no anti-ship, no recon pod.

There’s more to air-to-ground in the 80s than being a bomb truck from medium altitude that has to overfly enemy ground defenses…

The point isn’t what capabilities the US actually used on the F-15A-D, it’s what the aircraft itself was capable of. The aircraft itself could carry GBU-10, no F-15 (even E) carry Hydra pods, there is no reason they couldn’t carry Durandal.

Israel used their F-15B to strike PLO targets with GBU-15 in operation wooden leg with on the fly modification, and later Popeye standoff weapons. Again the F-15B that was the ETF demonstrator had a SAR mode software addition, CFT, and PAVE TACK added (and rear seat display). Add CFT and PAVE TACK or PAVE SPIKE and you have a capable strike aircraft.

The USAF didn’t use that capability, Israel and RSAF did with their F-15’s. It’s illogical to state that the F-15E would be a multi role and the F-15C/D wasn’t. The only real difference would be the strengthened airframe. The last blocks of F-15C even had APG-70 radar. Had the US updated the ground attack software in MSIP II, any F-15C/D could have had F-15E strike capabilities (with MTOW and maneuver limitations, obviously pilot workload on the C without a WSO).

on that subject how well suited were the earlier eagles towards A2G?

–
http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA398080

Here is an overview from an Air War College paper written by an F-15C pilot. Gives a good overview of the F-15’s robust air to ground capabilities.

The major weakness in the F-15 A-D attack capabilities wasn’t the aircraft (the first “Strike Eagle” was an F-15B modified ETF demonstrator with an SAR mode for the APG-63, FAST packs, and a PAVE TACK )

The USAF training and doctrine for the F-15 focused almost exclusively on air superiority. The Israeli’s did train their pilots and use F-15’s in attack missions.

Numerous reports about the repelled attack in US controlled Kusham area a few days ago are saying more than 200 Syrian militia

Let’s see.

Maybe US already tried that.. but failed.

Everyone is now dumber for having read these…

Every time you think this thread has hit rock bottom, someone steps up and reaches for a new low.

Mods- can we rename this thread “Russia move tac air troops to Syria…. a spurs dozens of stupid conspiracy theories, uses of questionable sources, and political rants”

The draft defense budget shows 28 more Rafale to be procured between 2019-2025, 55 Mirage 2000D to be upgraded.