Quote:
Originally Posted by Freiwillige
I think upgrading existing technology should keep us competitive in the global market while keeping relative costs down.
Take the F-15 for example..What would happen if we added the engines and radar of the F-22 and threw in the forward canards and thrust vectoring?
Competitive at the very least!
Sure build some F-22's just to keep that edge while maintaining and upgrading what we know already works for 90% of all situations.
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That is very likely to happen in my opinion. For instance the need for laser platforms for large scale operations will likely see modifications of a good chunk of old craft. Hell maybe even the F-117 will come back out. Tho most will likely be made unmanned in the process.
BTW Bubblehead, cutting corners weakens us? Do you have ANY idea of how big our defense budget is compared with the rest of the world? A nice F-35 isn't going to be doing jack squat against a fleet of radar equipped missile drones. Its made to blast tanks and terrorists. The F-22 will fare far better but its cost will discourage its use to bust the drones. But the F-22 cant do jack crap about terrorists nor tanks. China lacks night fighters Russia is broke and Canada seems to be on good terms with us
That quip about entitlement programs isn't flying neither. Many people in tough financial situations usually disapprove of the absurd defense budget. That line is a nogo in politics. If a politician said "Less medicare more F-35s" he would be quickly voted out.