The logical way forward is to purchase 24-36 F/A-18Fs to bolster the immediate needs of the air force, and include the wiring for conversion to the EA variant at a later date. Then conduct a full scale, fair evaluation of alternatives in 2022-4. (it would be advantageous for LM to wait until the F-35 matures and gains added capabilities in Block 4.x.) If LM plays hardball and threatens to pull contracts, tell them they will be disqualified from consideration in any new evaluation. Furthermore, the government should stipulate that any winner is expected to produce a certain percentage of the aircraft in Canada. AFA the Super Hornet being obsolete, only the fanboys believe that nonsense - certainly the USN doesn't believe it as evidenced by its purchasing decisions.