Upgraded F-15Cs to protect F-22s

[Rubicks13]

Interesting read on the F-15 and F-22.

Beefing things up with the F-15. (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a39df4196-72dd-4601-b2ec-7784bff0ffc6&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest)

[cornish-stormrider]

Maybe instead of tiffin we should have bought some F15's. say 8sqns to replace the F3 and another 6 Echo's or so for jag, harrier etc. Then just buy more when the mods are good.

We talk nicely to the americans about software etc (don't tell me it cannot be done) and give Mr Ohhhhhhhhbammmabaaa a few quid.

wham bam instant kickarse force. RAF crew in superior hardware.

[Double Zero]

Something tells me if F-22's are seen with any other aircraft, it's so that their radar / IR signature cannot be measured accurately...

[E-Spy]

So the F15s soak up all the radar locks and/or missiles, whilst the F22s sit relatively undetectable?

Adopt the callsign 'Pin-cushion 1'......

[cornish-stormrider]

or bulletcatcher.....

[Jackonicko]

"wham bam instant kickarse force."

Only in that it would be a force whose arse could be kicked by anyone lucky enough to have bought a more modern fighter - Spanish Typhoons, French Rafales, Aussie Super Hornets, etc.

[Double Zero]

As I think you know, I was referring to F-22's having a 'shadow' aircraft - F-15 seems ideal - to mask the 22's signature in peactime - should a real war happen, they presumably could well do without the F-15's except as a mask or decoy...

[incubus]

DZ: surely some kind of radar reflector or IR source to be used in peacetime would be a more economical solution.

[Graybeard]

At $350 Million each, the F-22 is too valuable to fly unescorted...

What a squander of resources.

GB

[McDuff]

Maybe instead of tiffin we should have bought some F15's. say 8sqns to replace the F3 and another 6 Echo's or so for jag, harrier etc. Then just buy more when the mods are good.

We considered the F16, after Whisky Walker put down his preferences when CDI in the mid-90s The cost of re-equipping with new tankers made it prohibitive.

But the Americans don't let us have their secret stuff. Any fighters we bought would be emasculated in several ways, including the ECM/ECCM in the radar and the weapons fit and integration. I gather they got very miffed when Scandinavian country upgraded their F16s' RWR gear without permission from Big Brother over the Pond.

[Gainesy]

wham bam instant kickarse force."


That is at Coningsby, Cornish.:)

Jacko forgot all the sexy Sukhois by the way

[Gaz ED]

Having "talked nicely" to the Americans about the internal workings of AIM 120 C5, the response was:-

"We're not telling you....."

Special relationship, when it suits!:suspect:

[Ewan Whosearmy]

DZ

The F-22 carries an external transponder and RCS enhancer in peacetime (although, not all the time), so no need to have an F-15 escort.

[brickhistory]

At $350 Million each, the F-22 is too valuable to fly unescorted...


A) It would be very interesting to see from where you derived your cost estimate.

B) Anyone informed the $2B a pop B-2's that they shouldn't be doing their job solo?


What a squander of resources.


And where would you put those resources?

[Rob Courtney]

Tom Clancy came up with the idea of using F15Es to mask F22s in "Word of Honour" that was also the book that had the 747 crashing into congress.

Clancy really must have had his crystal ball out then cos he wrote it back in 1994

[Thelma Viaduct]

Updated F-15s will detect targets with their new radar and handoff via datalink to the F-22s which will be the shooters and a lot closer to the target. The Amraams from the F-22s will receive target info & updates from the F-15s and the F-22 will never have to use their own radars and so emit no tell tale sign of their own so they can get well within the no escape zone.....simples :ok:

No doubt Typhoon will act in the same fashion for the RAF when JSF is on line and equipped with a stubby meteor variant .

[Willard Whyte]

"Word of Honour"

Debt of ...

but who's counting?

Apart from UKPLC?

[McDuff]

Updated F-15s will detect targets with their new radar and handoff via datalink to the F-22s which will be the shooters and a lot closer to the target. The Amraams from the F-22s will receive target info & updates from the F-15s and the F-22 will never have to use their own radars and so emit no tell tale sign of their own so they can get well within the no escape zone.....simples

No doubt Typhoon will act in the same fashion for the RAF when JSF is on line and equipped with a stubby meteor variant .

I doubt very much that these supposed tactics are necessary. Rather I should expect that the scenario is posed to persuade Congress to fund the "Albino" upgrades: that they are a necessary adjunct to a reduced F-22 force. The "signature" stuff is probably bollox as well ... the aircraft can alter their RCS with external gizmos as necessary. This has been done for a while with LO aircraft in the US.

McD

[Thelma Viaduct]

I doubt very much that these supposed tactics are necessary. Rather I should expect that the scenario is posed to persuade Congress to fund the "Albino" upgrades: that they are a necessary adjunct to a reduced F-22 force. The "signature" stuff is probably bollox as well ... the aircraft can alter their RCS with external gizmos as necessary. This has been done for a while with LO aircraft in the US.

McDIt enables the spams to thinly spread their stealth assets which will be required due to the 187 iirc limit on F-22 production.

It's providing value added to a legacy platform as well as enhancing the capability/lethality of F-22, it makes total sense and is the next evolutionary stage in A-A combat.

The updated F-15s with data-linking technology will suddenly become a deterrent, instead of a legacy platform, it'll be a true force multiplier for the F-22 community.