Quote:
Originally Posted by Panther Al
Another thing to factor in is life span:
The F16 has proven to be simple enough to allow a range of upgrades and enhancements that is mind boggling, and the F15 has proven to be the same, with the added enhancement that its actually rather large - shockingly so when you consider its a pretty good (and formally excellent) dogfighter even in today's ACM conditions - with loads of internal room that isn't filled with anything. After all, they didn't have to change any structure or move any equipment to add a second seat to the design, and thats not the only empty space designed into the airframe.
This attribute is something I haven't seen much of in the Eurofighter - not saying its not there, but the stealthy design features hint that it isn't. Which means I think we will see the 15 and 16 running around quite a long while.
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I think upgrades in engines, software, radars and weapons will keep the F-15 and F-16 flying very competitively for a long time, especially when you look at what's replacing them; the prohibitly expenisive and now no longer built F-22 and the possibly uncompetitive F-35.