Time to end funding on the "rathole" F-35?

[Stikpusher]

I don’t see the Thunderbirds getting F-35s anytime soon. They received the F-16 fairly early in that aircraft’s career only due to their mass loss of T-38s during a tragic rehearsal accident, and subsequent stand down to rebuild the team. When the F-16 is truly at the end of its active duty service life, and the line squadrons have all replaced them with F-35s, then you’ll see them on the Thunderbirds. The Air Force does have a F-35 demonstration team that makes the round of air shows and does sporting events flyovers, so that is the main current public exposure.

[Medicman71]

Well that may happen. The very early block F-35's are slated to go to an aggressor squadron because it would cost WAY too much to upgrade them to the current standards. It's not out of the realm of possibilities that the T-Birds could get some. It's not like they have to have combat coded jets.

[BlackSheep214]

I don't see F-16 Thunderbirds being replaced by F-35s in the near future. If anything, maybe something other than the F-35.

[Medicman71]

The only other aircraft would be the T-7A and that would be a very long time away.

[Stuart]

Woah!!! What in the hell is that thing?

[Stikpusher]

I don't see F-16 Thunderbirds being replaced by F-35s in the near future. If anything, maybe something other than the F-35.

There are no other possibilities in the current USAF inventory. Unless perhaps you’re considering a trainer type again, like the T-38. Yawn. The F-15s are all old and high hour airframes. There are not enough Raptors to even consider that type. The early block F-35s are more useful for now as introductory type trainers at Luke, or elsewhere.

[Medicman71]

Woah!!! What in the hell is that thing?

That's the T-7A Red Hawk. It's the replacement for the T-38 trainer.

[Stuart]

Thanks Mike - It's not a type I'd heard off so I've just had google. I knew that a new trainer was in the offing but I didn't know one had been selected - looks interesting.

I don't see F-16 Thunderbirds being replaced by F-35s in the near future. If anything, maybe something other than the F-35.

There are no other possibilities in the current USAF inventory. Unless perhaps you’re considering a trainer type again, like the T-38. Yawn. The F-15s are all old and high hour airframes. There are not enough Raptors to even consider that type. The early block F-35s are more useful for now as introductory type trainers at Luke, or elsewhere.

I do think your government screwed the pooch a bit in regards to the F-22 in regards to not ordering enough and not being able to re-open the line, especially now it's turned out to be quite a good recon bird and bomber as well. It says something that they're going to have order yet more F-15s (it's the X isn't it?) to supplement them.

I hadn't quite considered how old the fighter fleet in the US is getting,

[Medicman71]

Yes the Air Force is ordering the F-15EX. It'll be equivalent to the Eagles that Saudi and Qatar. They want to order 144 but I don't see that happening. They would replace all of the F-15C/D's in service.

[Modelcrazy]

As ugly as it was, The Boeing X-32 offering was faster and more maneuverable. They just has to overcome too many issues during the testing period such as a wing design change and compressor stall during VTOL, which was addressed and fixed.

I'll be all over that T-7 once someone makes a kit of it. That is a sexy looking plane