RAAF releases jet fighter back-up plan

rec.aviation.military added.
"Brash" wrote in message u...
They should lease 24 F-15E's until JSF come on-line.

JSF = F-35?

The Air Force should lease F-16Es (http://tinyurl.com/2vdm7) as a
replacement for the F/A-18 until the F-35 is ready for production,
which may take a decade longer than anticipated based on the F-22
experience.

To replace the capability of the F-111, simply lease F-15Ts, which is
a vastly more capable long range strike aircraft than the F-35 anyway.

Any concerns over range are immediately dispelled now that we are
getting refuelling capability.

These aircraft are proven, modern and cheaper.

As always, we won't get the best, most cost effective solution as ego
and politics intervene.

A really good analysis of the JSF is located at
http://tinyurl.com/yvxkn