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Retired in 2006... yet still in use in 2098.

And the Coalition uses them in the 24th century.




So don't cry, Juicer-Mak. I have a feeling the Tomcat will be around for a long, long time...

I wasn't able to read the story. The usatoday end was dead. But what are they replacing it with?

The 'Cats used in those eras were salvaged from museum units that had their lethal ordinance deactivated/rendered inoperative so the planes could be displayed safely. It doesn't take much to get them back to active status, which was one of the main strengths of the Tomcat (& a blueprint for it's decendants).

The 'Cat will be around for a long time. You don't mess with what works. Each modern fighter can trace it's lineage back to the proving grounds that the 'Cat helped trail-blaze.
The 'Cat isn't obsolete, it's in retirement. And we all know that retirement is temporary.

The F-14 is being repalced by the F/A-18E/F Super hornets - enhaced capability F/A-18s with more speed, payload and range than their predacesors. They will eventually be replaced by the F-35 JSF.

Jefffar wrote:The F-14 is being repalced by the F/A-18E/F Super hornets - enhaced capability F/A-18s with more speed, payload and range than their predacesors. They will eventually be replaced by the F-35 JSF.

I don't think the F-35 will entirely replace the F/A-18E/F/G's, as it isn't suited for the interceptor roll.

The F-35 will replace the F-16, A-10 (huh?), AV-8B, and F-18A/B/C/D.

Actually, the A-10 is scheduled to be replaced by the F-16 (even more huh?) - though this has been delayed to the point that the JSF will probablly succeed them both directly.

As for the JSF not having interceptor qualities - it depends on the model you choose. Not all the models have the V/STOL capability and thus have more room for fuel (extending range) and weapons.

Many would argue that the Hornet (even the super Hornet) doesn't realy have interceptor capabilities either.

Jefffar wrote:Actually, the A-10 is scheduled to be replaced by the F-16 (even more huh?) - though this has been delayed to the point that the JSF will probablly succeed them both directly.

.

I was under the impression that the Air Force already attempted to replace the A-10 with the F-16, and that the whole thing fell flat. This was back in the late 80's and early 90's IIRC.

Are they trying again?

Dustin Fireblade wrote:

Jefffar wrote:Actually, the A-10 is scheduled to be replaced by the F-16 (even more huh?) - though this has been delayed to the point that the JSF will probablly succeed them both directly.

.

I was under the impression that the Air Force already attempted to replace the A-10 with the F-16, and that the whole thing fell flat. This was back in the late 80's and early 90's IIRC.

Are they trying again?

They never gave up. They almost get it agree to and then the A-10 prooves it's worth again.

They used to be trying for an F/A-16 project back in the 80's invloving a 3 or 4 barrelled 30 mm cannon - but this fell through for them.

As the F-16 is now hte primary tactical gorund attack aircraft in the USAF anyway, they are positiing that it will gradually take over the CAS role (which it already does in part) from the A-10 when the A-10 needs to be retired. However the Army basically forced an uprade that will more or less mena the A-10s will still be active until the JSFcomes on line (providing they don't wear out).

I think the Air Force is scared that if they bench the A-10, the Army will go to Congress and get permission to operate fixed wing combat aircraft (ie the A-10). The Air Force fears that if the Army regains the right to fixed wing combat aircraft, that the Air Force will disappear as a seperate service.

So the Air Force is basically trying to find a way to replace the A-10 without ticking off the Army - no luck yet.

Jefffar wrote:Many would argue that the Hornet (even the super Hornet) doesn't realy have interceptor capabilities either.

While the F-14 was designed to be an all out interceptor, only later was it modified to carry out attack/strike missions.

In today's age of multi-role the F/A-18E/F probably doesn't have the interceptor qualities capabilities the Tomcat has/had, but doesn’t need to be modified for the attack/strike role.

Yup, and the JSF will have all those qualities plus greater stealth and the possibility of V/STOL operations built in.

Jefffar wrote:

Dustin Fireblade wrote:

Jefffar wrote:So the Air Force is basically trying to find a way to replace the A-10 without ticking off the Army - no luck yet.

Ironicaly the best way to replace the A-10 is to build an armored bathtub with wings, and a honkin big gattling gun.

Kind of like the A-10.