quick solution to usaf downwards spiral
DESCRIPTION
US aircraft procurement is on obvious downwards spiral - huge increases in spending have resulted in equally huge decreases in procurement. Most numerous tactical aircraft in US service is still F-16, and is likely to remain so for next few decades. Here is solution.TRANSCRIPT
Quick solution to USAF downwards spiral
Saving USAF from itself
USAF - current● 183 F-22A: 46 665 000 000 $ (95 s/d)● 254 F-15C/D: 29 210 000 000 $ (290 s/d)● 1245 F-16C/D: 87 150 000 000 $ (1494 s/d)● 221 F-15E: 27 846 000 000 $ (221 s/d)● 345 A-10: 6 900 000 000 $ (1150 s/d)● TOTAL:● 2 248 tactical aircraft for 197 221 000 000 $● 3 250 sorties per day
USAF - current plan
● 183 F-22A: 46 665 000 000 $ (95 s/d)● 2 443 F-35A: 489 650 490 000 $ (1585 s/d)● 221 F-15E: 9 781 460 000 $ (221 s/d)● TOTAL:● 2 847 tactical aircraft for 546 096 950 000 $● 1 901 sorties per day
How to solve this?● possibilities:
– buy already existing aircraft abroad– design new aircraft
● designing process must be under heavy Government oversight, and with clear goals, while leaving designers with maximum freedom of work - fly before you buy
– unlikely in current political climate– takes time– best long-term solution
Quick fix● Restart production of old aircraft
– F-15 too large– F-16A good with upgrades; F-16C
overweight– A-10 and F-15E still capable
● Buy and produce foreign aircraft– Gripen an optimal choice
● single engine● low cost and maintenance requirements● road and dirt-strip capable
– politically unacceptable
My proposal● F-16A with PIRATE IRST and DRFM
jammer (“F-16G”) for AtA– use SAAB's help to reduce maintenance– 32 000 000 $ per aircraft; est. 1,8 - 2,18
SDA (sorties per day per aircraft) - round to 2
● A-10 for CAS– 20 000 000 $ per aircraft; 3,3333 SDA
● F-15K for ground attack / SEAD– 100 000 000 $ per aircraft; 1 SDA
My proposal
● fighter force for 100 billion USD– 3 125 F-16G; 6 250 sorties/day
● CAS force for 50 billion USD– 2 500 A-10; 8 333 sorties/day
● ground attack force for 50 billion USD– 500 F-15E; 500 sorties/day
Aircraft procured
Air superiority Ground attack CAS
CurrentCurrent planMy proposal
Sorties per day
Air superiority Ground attack CAS
CurrentCurrent planMy proposal
Comparision - total
Tactical aircraft Cost Sorties per day
CurrentCurrent planMy proposal
● Picard578● 16 February 2013● http://defenseissues.wordpress.com/