F15E vs GR4/F111 - two totally different generations. The F15E was built as a replacement for the F111.
Fox 3 Snap-
The F15 doesn't have the legs that the "Pig" wallows in, or for that matter the pure fear factor....just ask the Indons when the Aussies purchased the last batch from the US, I am sure the political implications of an F15 purchase would not have stirred up the diplomatic fallout that occurred when this deal was done.
What political fallout from the purchase of the latest batch?? There wasnt any.
Considering the latest batch were G models with NO PGM capability, that makes them a big, fast, long range DUMB BOMBER.
Whilst the Pig is encountering a few structural issues,the latest upgrade with the digital kit and ongoing weapons fit makes them a formidable platform.
The structural issues that has led to the grounding of the fleet on a few occasions?? The digital 'upgrade' was a maintainability upgrade, there was minimal capability improvement (mainly the INS being able to get within a few miles without the NAV having to rein it in regularly, and a few more reference waypoints to use).
What weapons fit would that be?? LGB's being the longest range weapon available, I wouldnt fancy going to a target in a RAAF pig against a reasonably defended tgt with LGB's. I would be a bigger fan of employing AGM-130 from an F15E any day, with 2 AMRAAMs to keep me comfortable.
The issues:
Range - everyone likes to say the F111 is better because it goes further than the F15E. True at first look, but the F111 can only go in and out low (with an escort) if there is any defence about. The F15E will quite happily go in and out at medium and high level, on its own, where its AMRAAMs will reach out and touch. Its range disadvantage is therefore somewhat neutralised by reduced fuel burn. Regardless, for the RAAF it would still go further than the F18 escort!!!!!
By the way, the yanks dont really care about the fuel load, they will find enough tankers to make it work. (maybe not as many as they would really want but enough to get by).
Weapons load - The F11 may be able to carry a lot of weapons, but it will go nowhere with a full load. A realistic load may be 4 Mk84 type weapons, which the F15E can also carry, at the same carrying a total of 4 AAM's, either AMRAAM or AIM9. The F15E will also carry AGM130 and Maverick, neither of which are carried by the RAAF F111's. It was quite enjoyable rippling 12 MK82's or 4 MK84s from the F15E.
F15E A/G radar mapping capability is outstanding. Unless you are bombing a nuclear reactor or bombing a whole city block, you stand a much better chance of actually finding the target in an F15E. The F111 relying on real beam mapping is a little on the old technology side of things.
Whilst you will still see low level ops in training exercises (RED FLAG - because its fun and easier to coordinate), come a real war its the last place the guys will want to be, the first few days of Desert Storm saw low level strikes as a primary tactic consigned to history.
The F111 self defence capability is rather dubious - lets just say the F15E jammer is a nice piece of kit, along with good expendable decoys.
I havent commented on GR4, but the RAF GR4 NAV I was on exchange with (flying F15E's) was in no doubt as to which platform he preferred, and it doesnt have the number 4 in it.