[ad_1]
As part of the next budget, the Pentagon has cut plans for the purchase of modern F-35 anti-radar fighters from Lockheed Martin from 94 to 61 aircraft, to transfer funds to the purchase of classic F-15 fighters, the latest version of the F-15. 15EX.
The change was presented in the last report and casts doubt on the air force’s confidence in the F-35 program that has had previously been criticized and contested.
The F-35 is one of two modern American anti-radar aircraft along with the elite F-22, but now it seems that their efficiency seems to be no greater than the heavy classic F-15 model, which has flown for the first time. first 50 years ago in 1972, writes the weapons network MilitaryWatchmagazine.
The latter is the oldest fighter whose model is still produced.
The increase in interest for it comes after the production delays of the F-35 which has reached the power of performance only in recent years.
Although the F-35 still has a lot of potential for modernization, the F-15EX has the advantage of operating with limited capacity, mission duration, and greater armaments capacity.
The advantages of the F-35 are the ability to not be seen quickly by radar and relatively low operating costs.
But the F-15EX looks set to once again be the main US and NATO fighter in case of war. The future of the F-35 program thus remains unclear and could be affected by the start of war in Eastern Europe in late February.
Former United States Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller referred to the program as “a monster with a failed defense system.”
The Pentagon has often cited the low reliability of the F-35 and operating costs which according to them make it unaffordable in the figures that were previously required.
top channel
[ad_2]
Source link
