Article

2010-02-25 Science & Technology

USAF to hang bombs on F-15C "Golden Eagle"

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Posted by gromky 2010-02-25 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11137 views ] Top

#1 The USAF actually considered this idea in the mid-80s, but it led to the F-15E Strike Eagle (aka the Beagle). However, the idea of 'not a pound for air to ground' is going to die hard in the Eagle community.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2010-02-25 05:13|| 2010-02-25 05:13|| Front Page Top

#2 I watched a prgoram about the A-10 which said they were good until 2025 (?).

I believe it also said the A-10 was a halfway- decent ground-attack platform.

Posted by Bobby 2010-02-25 05:39|| 2010-02-25 05:39|| Front Page Top

#3 Anyone who has ever watched an A-10 work will attest that it is much more than a "half-way decent ground attack platform." However, if there are no enemy fighters, the MQ-9 can precisely deliver GBU-12 laser guided bombs and GBU-38 JDAMs as well as AGM-114 Hellfires. The advertised external payload is 3,000 pounds. The AF is buying Reapers as fast as General Atomics can build them.

Posted by rwv 2010-02-25 12:38|| 2010-02-25 12:38|| Front Page Top

#4 there may be a shortage of tactical aircraft that can deliver air-to-ground weapons

The A-6 makes a good bomb truck. I know where you can get a bunch of them, but you'll have to scrub off the saltwater stains.

Posted by SteveS 2010-02-25 13:10|| 2010-02-25 13:10|| Front Page Top

#5 The A-6 makes a good bomb truck. I know where you can get a bunch of them, but you'll have to scrub off the saltwater stains.
Posted by SteveS 2010-02-25 13:10

The A-7E Corsair II is also a great Light Attack Bomber. And there are plenty of them at the bone yard.

Posted by Secret Asian Man 2010-02-25 14:19|| 2010-02-25 14:19|| Front Page Top

#6 WTHeck? They already had a F-15 that carried bombs called the Strike Eagle. It flew in Desert Storm and Allied Force (Kosovo). Are they recycling stories?

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2010-02-25 15:11|| 2010-02-25 15:11|| Front Page Top

#7 The Strike Eagle was the E series of the F-15, and most were new builds or remanufactures of the latest Eagles off of the line. This is just a stopgap of upgrading the C series until it can be replaced by the F-35, or in the worst case scenario for the Air Force, as the interim air system to replace those F-35s that will not be built.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2010-02-25 19:30|| 2010-02-25 19:30|| Front Page Top

#8 Also the Air Force is playing a political game : if they order 100-160 new Strike Eagles, people are going to look at the cost of the Eagles vs the F-35s and wonder why the Air Force needs any F-35s. This way, they get a not-as-good interim replacement and can still argue that they need the F-35s.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2010-02-25 19:33|| 2010-02-25 19:33|| Front Page Top

#9 only about 35 of the A-6s are resting in the Atlantic, and they all had the old wornout metal wings. There are over 100 in 'war reserve' status out in the desert, and most of them are the composite wing upgraded version, a few new build metal ones are also there. and don't forget the KA-6Ds, for organic tanker support.

And an entire maintenace and ready room contingent out here ready to go play with the SkyPig.

Posted by USN,Ret. (in Michigan) 2010-02-25 23:14|| 2010-02-25 23:14|| Front Page Top

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