ViperEagle

Bingo. Most F-15's never pass Mach 1.8 these days. Not because they cant, they can easily break Mach 2.4-5, but because they dont NEED to. While the P229 would be a great improvement, it's not needed. What is needed is life extending modifications to avionics, TEWS, radar and LO elements. The F100-P220 is still one of the most powerful engines in the entire world. I've spoken to several IP's from the Oregon ANG who say they have to conciously AVOID breaking Mach because of the raw power the F-15 has.

The MiG-35 has great promise, there's no doubt about this..but really, until I see combat exercise reports about the MiG-35's combat effectiveness, I tend to avoid frantic fanboy wanking over it. As I said, I think it's a great aircraft with fantastic potential, but all it's done is fly a few demos so far..I havent seen anything to back up it's uberplane status. Now before anyone says "What about the F-22 fanboys!", yes, even they need to STFU.

Yes, the F-15C with P229 engines would have a better T/W ratio than anything except perhaps a light, clean Raptor. The wonderful thing about the F-15 is that it's got ALOT of "undeveloped space" in its' airframe. If the money was available and slated for that, it could easily accomidate a new TEWS suite. As one poster said "why not F119s?", the problem is it would be like putting a big block 454 engine into a car that just cannot handle the stress. It would require structural changes, enhanced cooling ducts and systems (the F-15A with the P229's already had those modifications). Plus the airframes havent been stress tested for them. What I would say would be a better bet would be P229's with 3D TVC. So far only the ACTIVE F-15's have had any sort of thrust vectoring, and that was only 2D. For spares, all the retired F-15's will be a gold mine for sure, plus as I said, the parts commonality between a F-15E and a F-15C arent that off, so they can still get some spares from the Boeing production lines (because MDD doesnt exist anymore). My guess is that FY's 84,85, and 86 will be making up the majority of the Golden Eagle fleet, with FY's 80-83 filling the ANG ranks. But that is just an educated guess on my part.

Point Mugu was my hometown base. I can still remember going to the beach at Mugu and watching the F-14's and F-4's roar overhead. A particularly good memory was when the F-14A+'s and F-14D's showed up. VF, Baby...!

:huh:

There is already a F-105 F/G that is being restored to flying status. And the truth is, the F-15A and F-15C have such a high level of parts commonality, I'd rather see them be used to keep OUR F-15's flying. The F-15 family in general has a pretty high level of part commonality, so much so I've seen some Tyndal F-15's with dark gray radomes from F-15E Mudhen and F-15E's with light gray radomes from the albinos.

Good question, one I dont entirely have an answer for. There were tests undertaken during the 1980's and 1990's with fitting P229 engines to the albinos. One F-15A, 77-0139, could fit both the F100-P220 and P229 engines, and the pilots loved it. Because it's lighter than the F-15E, the P229 made the F-15A (and C) an absolute hot-rod. They unoffically attempted to shatter the Time to Climb records set by the F-15 Streak Eagle and SU-27. One story is this: I worked on this jet when I was stationed at Edwards. This jet was unique in that, so far as I know, it was the only F-15A in the world that could take PW -220 and -229 engines. The pilots loved it because it was such a hot rod. I once watched it get off the ground in about 1000 feet and climb to over 10000 feet in about two minutes or less. Doing maintenance runs was always fun, because we always had to use the A-model and C-model TO's On the Fini flight of our British foreign exchange pilot, he came blasting across the lakebed at about 50 feet and pulled in to the vertical right over ops desk. We were essentially looking up in to the burners as he blasted off in to the blue about 75 feet over our heads. Needless to say, he got a "stern talking to" but nothing else. Guess I really am getting old, when my jets end up in the boneyard. IF the Golden Eagles get reengined, it'll take structural modifications for cooling and strengthening the airframes. Regretibly the F-15's arent getting any younger. The average F-15 age is older than me (I'm 22). Granted they live less stressful lives than their navy counterparts (the youngest F-14 was only 12 years old when it was retired). The P229 would turn the F-15C into a speed demon, more so than it already is, and with AB, it'd make it's T/W ratio much better than it already is. The F-15A is lighter than the F-15C, but it would still make it an entirely different aircraft. Alot of things could make the F-15C far better than it already is, TVC, LO technology and material, upgraded avionics. BUT..it's still an older airframe, to reduce the airframe hours would require new tails, new wings, new sections of framing. Basically, it would require ALOT of money, which the AF doesnt really want to spend because they rightfully want more F-22's (500 would do the trick nicely :music_whistling: ). And the ANG may not have the funds for even one of those items. The ANG F-15's already have goodies the active duty dont have, such as BOL rails which provide extra chaff and such. So far, I've seen strengthening plates and straps on the wings of the Hawaii ANG F-15A's and a few of the Florida ANG F-15As. Aging sucks, especially for aircraft.

Eh... IRST is useful, but not a magic eye. The F-14D had IRST too, in the dual chin-pod with the long range television telescope. The F-35 and F-22, as well as modifications to the Super Hornet, are difficult to detect in a frontal or forward hemisphere with IRST. You cant effectively kill that which you cant see.

Almost all of the 178 "Golden Eagles" have been moved or are slated to move to Langley and Eglin AFB. They've all been selected and that is due to the matienence history, hours put on the airframe and such. BTW, Lakenheaths F-15C's, while being "young", FY 85-86, which means they were delivered between 87 and 89, arent the most capapble. The 18 APG-63 V2 AESA radar equipped F-15's at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska hold that honor. And the fate of the F-15's? They're going to transfer to guard units as the F-22 replaces them. The Massachusets ANG, the 101st FW, is transitioning to the F-15C from the F-15A. My guess is that eventually all the F-15A units will tansition to the F-15C from the active duty. Essentially, the 178 Golden Eagles will be enhanced BVR killers, while still retaining their dogfight capability. And yes, the APG-63 V3 IS that lethal.

Truth be told...the Blk 52+ C model Viper is considerably better than what alot of people think. As another poster said, just because an airframe is older, doesnt mean whats beneath the panels is the same.

When I want to sim-it-up, I pop in Lock-On or Falcon 4.0 with the associated add-ons. But when I want to unwind a bit and lay in bed, and just blow stuff up and watch the jet go zoom..I pop in Over-G Fighters. Different things for different moods.

I think it's been mentioned before, but stealth does not an invisisble plane make. The key to actually using it effectively is using it in a combined force op with SEAD/DEAD aircraft flying as shotgun cover for it. Also something that is needed is not being predictable or consistant with your approach routes. As was mentioned, if you fly the same routes, same speed, same altitude night after night, eventually you'll get caught. Also, from what I heard from a F-117 pilot turned F-15 pilot, the F-117 in question was bagged by the very NVA tactic of spamming the skies with active radar and semi-active radar missiles, one just got lucky enough to bag the -117. And think about this, the military in all chances did request permission to take out the crash site and any location holding the debris. Because it was a war waged from 20,000 feet, and it had to be ass-kissed all the way because the politicians kept a hammer lock on targets, the politicians likely didnt want to appear to be "dirty" and destroy the remains and kill anyone stupid enough to dance around it.

His "theories" about aircraft developement however are sadly idiotic. He's the product of having the beejeezus scared out of pilots by the MiG-17's and 21's. To him, the F-teen series of fighters have all been "worthless". He went as far as to call the F-14 the Tomgrape because "it bled energy like a grape being smashed". Tell that to the Luftwaffe Fulcrum drivers that got waxed by Tomcats then.

In large part, the failure of the Sparrow in Vietnam was due to the Phantoms comparitively poor radar and electronics for Vietnam and it's conditions. However, as stated, alot of the GW1 Sparrow shots were at the extreme edge of the envelope. While obsolete, it was and is still one of the most successful AAMs in history.

The AESA radar on Super Hornets is already fielded. VFA-213's Block 2's carry them, infact it's all over the aviation news. Finally the SH is starting to grow into it's potential.

Another small thing, Walmis. On F-15C's as part of the MSIP updates, a ECM tail antenna was added to F-15C's right tail boom/tip, at first they were rounded, but then transitioned to a chisled tip. You can see that in this picture of an Eglin AFB F-15C.

The Typhoon and F-22 have not engaged each other in D-ACT yet. Infact, the F-22 hasnt engaged any Non-USAF/USN/ANG aircraft at all. The rumor of the Typhoon kicking the F-22 around in WVR not true. None, zero, biiiig goose egg. To be exact, I asked this question to a 43rd FS F-22 Instructor Pilot just a few nights ago, specifically it went like this. This IP is callsigned Waco. I can provide more information if needed.

IIRC- It's because the SU-27 and Mig-29's radar output and emmissions are so similar they appear as the same icon.

It's only good if they can get it to 88mph and 1.21 Gigawatts

Oh god..the Plasma Stealth.. Nope..sure dont.

The object underneath the intake near the MLG appear to be targeting pod pylons, similar to those on F-15E's. The wingtip items look like updated warning systems.

In all honesty? I'm sure the decision was both militarily and politically influenced. Is the SU-30 capable? yes..is it what the Venezuelan Air Force really should have gone with? ...debatable. Considering what the VAF has been doing lately, perhaps something with a more matured and established strike ability, like the Rafale to fulfill their fighter/bomber needs. It's fairly obvious that Venezuela wouldnt have gone with a US produced aircraft, alright..thats fine. I just think that perhaps the SU-30 isnt ideal, and it was purchased as a "spiteful" replacement for the aging Block 15 F-16's. But you know what? Ok...thats fine. Lets hope that everything remains peaceful and calm, and US F-15's and F-22's can meet Venezuelan SU-30MK2's as friends and not 30 miles away throwing missiles at each other.

To be fair? They are a Russian developer. Also, ...the Aim-120C isnt a Russian weapon, yet a new model is being put in for it. you need to go where the money is, it's simple economics. Thank god we have a very active player/modder group!

He's just so Ronery.

It depends, Ice.F-15's with serials between 75 and 79 had metalic green Avionics Bays.F-15's with serials between 80 and 86 had white. In almost all cases, they still have these colors. Repainting the Avionics Bay is an extremely difficult task. Seeing as most of the F-15's in Lock ON are from Alaska, Langley or Lakenheath, White is the safe bet.