5th generation jet fighters

[Raellus]

The F-15E was/is a very capable low-level strike fighter. In terms of payload, speed, and range, it is inferior to the F-111. But, the Beagle ("Bomb Eagle"), can defend itself against aerial threats as it's air to air abilities aren't really that diminished compared to its devoted air-superiority cousin*.

Don't get me wrong, I like the F-111. In the Twilight War, the U.S. for one would be pulling scores from storage, refurbishing them, and sending them to Europe.

*On a related note, there's an episode of Dogfights in which an EF-111 Raven "shot down" a pursuing Iraqi fighter during a low-level chase by leading it into a low hill. I'll have to watch it again to refresh my memory.

EDIT: Just rewatched the episode. The Iraqi fighter was a Mirage F1. It chased the Raven for a while and missed it with a radar-guided missile. An F-15C came to the rescue. It didn't get a chance to fire on the Mirage. The Iraqi pilot probably spooked and flew into a low hill. The Raven pilots got a DFC out of the engagement.