USAF awards $4B contract to upgrade F-15ECM out to.... 2040

Looks like USAF has so much confidence in the F-35 program that they are awarding a huge, $4B contract to improve F-15 ECM out to...

2040.

“We look forward to adding this next-generation capability to enhance the air superiority mission of the F-15.”

Confidence.

"But the F-35 was never supposed to replace the F-15"...

True.

But this is what DOD was hoping for years ago (about 2010).



A few problems with the chart. The first being history. The second being over-optimism in how many F-35s will be bought. Next that the F-35 is supposed to work. Note where they hoped F-15s and A-10s would drop. The F-22 will be lucky to last that long. Notice where they hope the FX comes in.

We have no credible fighter aircraft in development. The F-15 is a PDM (periodic depot maintenance jet) So that is at least something. And unlike the C, the F-15E came off the show-room floor with a 13k to 15k hour life. I suspect that you may see some of the early small-motor F-15Es go away.

By 2030, we don't have much of an air force in regard to tac-air.

Drones will have to pick up a bigger part of the mission slack. Unknown if they can handle air-to-air.

Yet.

So the F-35 being built by the thousand would have helped some, but it doesn't really work. F-22s have airframe fatigue issues; corrosion issues and who knows what else by the 2020s.

PDM F-15s out to 2040.

Awesome plan.

.