tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post4178614207679788238..comments2023-07-11T09:57:54.828-03:00Comments on BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA: Plan B.Doug Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-74178261657201888442013-10-31T08:29:20.770-03:002013-10-31T08:29:20.770-03:00I'm feeling a little targeted by the "raf...I'm feeling a little targeted by the "rafale enthousiasts" thing :-D<br /><br />Well, I agree Rafale doesn't seem the best choice for the highly specialized USAF, which not really needs an omnirole Rafale. But to make things clear, weapons compatibility is a easier issue for USAF than RCAF, because of the huge order USAF can make : even with a 1 billion $ program to integrate US weapons, if 1000 Rafale are ordered, that's only 1 million $ per aircraft, not so much.<br /><br />As you pointed out, going foreign is highly unlikely. Not mention going French (I bet I will never see in my entire life USA purchase a major defense equipment from France).<br /><br />The Harrier was an incredible victory for Europe industry, but the "special relationship" between UK and USA probably played a role.<br /><br />More recently, there was the tanker competition between Boeing and Airbus, finally won by Boeing in a rather unclear context... but that's pretty clear for me : choosing Airbus wasn't an option.<br /><br />The interesting thing is that :<br />- USA : going foreign is outrage<br />- Others : mass foreign orders but that's normal<br />- France : we make ourselves but everybody think we're stupid<br /><br /><br />For all these reasons, I think the most probable plan B to replace F16 would be... F16. Existing F16 block 60 design is very advanced : conformal fuel tanks, AESA, more capable EW suite, powerful engines... That seems more than enough, even for USAF. And at the end of day, I don't think LockMart decides : If Pentagon WANT f16 and not f35, Pentagon will get f16.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The navalized A10 seems a long shot.Doug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.com