Forest Green
ACCESS: Above Top Secret
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First time I've ever seen that... very cool!
I'm not really sure what you are implying by quoting the twitter links. The only source I have for APG-85 being US only is Steve Trimble of AvWeek who is not a particularly reliable source but has been towing the APG-85 US only line for over a year now. He said the same thing on an AvWeek podcast in June.
The budget request includes two years/two phases of advance procurement to procure the APG-85 radar which replaces the existing APG-81 radar in United States versions of F-35 aircraft
The US DOD budget only buys things for US aircraft.Not sure what Steve's source is but he most definitely would have one if he's claiming this.
That said, we have this from the US Air Force:
This is not a budget to upgrade, but funding for new aircraft. The only AP or other capital investment that explicitly calls out for “US F-35s” is the radar. At this point I’m leaning towards production lots splitting APG-85 and APG-81 roughly 60/40 ratio.The US has decided to do this upgrade for its aircraft -
Can F-15EX carry AIM-120 or GBU-39 on its upper CFTs rows? On normal F-15E, I only ever seen that row carry basic MK-82. However, it was said that basic F-15E lack smart wiring for these station while F-15SK and F-15EX both have smart wiring there
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So maybe 3 GBU-39 is doable? or if F-15 operator somehow bought mbda SpearNo to both. The LAU-106 ejector launchers for AAMs only go on the lower CFT row. 4 SDBs on a BRU-61 rack are probably too heavy for the BRU-46 racks used on the upper CFT rows. I think they are limited to 1000 lbs.
On newer F-15s, all the CFT stations are wired for MIL-STD-1760 stores, that's true.
Or pairs of SDBs per rack, but you'd have to make a custom rack.So maybe 3 GBU-39 is doable? or if F-15 operator somehow bought mbda Spear
To be honest, the amount of weapon stations on F-15 is pretty insane, even higher than bigger aircraft like Flanker seriesOr pairs of SDBs per rack, but you'd have to make a custom rack.
No argument there, I was just thinking "well, if the pylon can hold 1000lbs let's get as much as we can out of it!"To be honest, the amount of weapon stations on F-15 is pretty insane, even higher than bigger aircraft like Flanker series
Recently, F-35 also used as red airF-117s have typically been used as REDFOR 5th gen
??While F-117 probably has superior stealth characteristic,
purely for stealth, no compromise for aerodynamic or radar sensor
Are you talking about some specific very narrow band?purely for stealth, no compromise for aerodynamic or radar sensor
It probably better at all high frequency till at least S-bandAre you talking about some specific very narrow band?
F-15EX are very effective against 5 generation aircraft. I wonder whether they tested it against red team F-35 or F-22?
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Probably worth noting that the term used is surrogate 5th gen adversary aircraft. I expect that means that maybe US F-35 or F-117 but what that also means is they are replicating the threat. So the profile, EW and RCS within reason replicate what the US believes adversary 5th gen aircraft are capable of. The F-15EX wasn't flying against a USAF F-35, it was potentially flying against an Aggressor F-35 configured to look, act and where possible smell like a Su-57, J-20 etc.F-15EX are very effective against 5 generation aircraft. I wonder whether they tested it against red team F-35 or F-22?
Probably LREW."'outsized' air to air ... weapons"
Sounds like the USAF buying the AIM-174 from the Navy.![]()
Kai Eagles are not related to the Strike Eagle - at last notice, they were all original Mitsubishi F-15J and F-15DJ airframes being upgraded to later JASDF standards. JASDF has not bought any new Eagles since. Their nonstandard designation is still notable, however.Because the advanced Es that everyone is buying are (country code) with a second suffix letter, like SA or -J Kai for the Japanese (Kai being the Japanese word for "improved", roughly translated)
Their nonstandard designation is still notable, however.
It should be F-15G by my account. F-15F should have been the F110-powered Strike Eagles.Just like the F-15EX (Which really should be called the F-15F)?
It should be F-15G by my account. F-15F should have been the F110-powered Strike Eagles.
Wouldn't F-15G have been the FOWW, if that acquisition had actually proceeded to procurement.It should be F-15G by my account. F-15F should have been the F110-powered Strike Eagles.
Wouldn't F-15G have been the FOWW
FOWW?
But that would mean admitting that the USAF needed a new F-15 in the age of the F-35 . An EX sounds like an upgrade--much less threatening PR-wise.It should be F-15G by my account. F-15F should have been the F110-powered Strike Eagles.
Are most exported Advanced Eagles not powered by the F110? I am aware that half the Slam Eagle fleet is, due to South Korea's silly engine procurement scheme.Interesting, however the F110-powered Strike Eagle never went into production.
I did not know that the Eagle as Wild Weasel VI was actually seriously considered - in which case, I do believe it would have been F-15G. The new Eagle would be F-15H by this account.Wouldn't F-15G have been the FOWW, if that acquisition had actually proceeded to procurement.