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Our Air Force needs new planes badly. We need new F-16 block 70 fighters.

Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:24 pm
Posted by LSUPilot07
Member since Feb 2022
8450 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:24 pm
This is the smallest and worst state our AF has been since we became a superpower. Yes, F-35 production needs to increase but with export orders waiting as well as our own forces, buying brand new F-16 block 70 fighters from South Carolina. We are a 5th gen force and soon to be 6th generation but buying 100-120 brand new Vipers would go a very long way to filling the gap in capability that we are currently fighting. Some units on any given day only have 30-35% operational on the flight line with the rest needing some form of maintenance. The new F-16s will age very well with the advanced sensors and targeting, EW, etc pods it carries as well as missiles and ground attack munitions. It would be a great 2nd line and multirole CAS aircraft behind the 5th and 6th gen aircraft. We also have training and logistics lines already in place. Outfitting active duty units with new aircraft would also let older airframes to go to Air Guard units or to the boneyard for parts.
This post was edited on 4/18/26 at 12:36 pm
Posted by METAL
Member since Nov 2020
2280 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:27 pm to
Don’t forget about the EX
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
76133 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:31 pm to




Although it is not expected to be as survivable against the latest air defenses as the fifth-generation F-22 and F-35, the F-15EX can supplement the former in air superiority missions by performing homeland and airbase defense, enforcing no-fly zones against limited air defenses, and deploying outsized standoff weapons in support of stealth fighters at the frontline.[14] In July 2020, the U.S. Defense Department ordered eight F-15EXs over three years for $1.2 billion.[15][16] The F-15EX made its maiden flight on 2 February 2021






The newest F-16 variant is the F-16 Block 70/72, often called the F-16V Viper. It is the most advanced 4th generation F-16 ever produced, featuring an AN/APG-83 AESA radar, enhanced avionics, a new cockpit with a Center Pedestal Display, and an extended structural life of 12,000 hours. The Block 70/72 is currently in production with multiple international orders





F- 16 VIPER
Posted by Techdave
Laffy
Member since Apr 2014
616 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:34 pm to
Most of the Air Guard is already upgrading to the F35 or F15EX. Pretty sure Louisiana is getting the F15EX if they haven’t already upgraded, which is an extremely capable and advanced air frame minus the stealth capability.

This post was edited on 4/18/26 at 12:36 pm
Posted by rmnldr
Member since Oct 2013
40286 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:34 pm to
Big facts, OP
Posted by jp4lsu
Member since Sep 2016
6691 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:35 pm to
Currently the push is for 200 F35's a year. That's a lot but the F16 fleet is aging and the expectation was that replacement would be happening sooner.
I agree, getting cheaper fighters to get the numbers up for the AF is something that needs to happen. We can add the advanced tech, sensors, data links that the F35 has.

A healthy combo of stealth and cheaper non-stealth fighter is what is needed.
Posted by OchoDedos
Republic of Texas
Member since Oct 2014
39759 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:36 pm to
The tech is beyond the Block 70/72. Start thinking 80/82 , and the cost per unit, and operating cost per hour begins to approach the F-35. The production line in South Carolina is already operating at capacity from foreign 70/72 sales.
Posted by terd ferguson
Darren Wilson Fan Club President
Member since Aug 2007
114881 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:38 pm to
Bring back the F-14
Posted by LegendInMyMind
Member since Apr 2019
74727 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 12:52 pm to
Well, they have damn near a trillion dollars this year, and they're begging for another 200 billion whilst they are already pandering for a bump to 1.5 trillion next year.

I believe they can figure it out.
Posted by OchoDedos
Republic of Texas
Member since Oct 2014
39759 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:02 pm to
quote:

I believe they can figure it out.

Everything revolving around Air Force Inc is concerned with greasing the skids of the MIC , and assuring golden parachutes upon retirement from Government to Private Sector board rooms or Upper Level Management.
Posted by LSUnation78
Northshore
Member since Aug 2012
14219 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:05 pm to
I’d rather 1,000,000,000 drone interceptors for the same price.
Posted by FlySaint
FL Panhandle
Member since May 2018
2521 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:07 pm to
Obama shut down F-22 production far too early, crushingly bad decision.
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
76133 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:11 pm to
quote:

A healthy combo of stealth and cheaper non-stealth fighter is what is needed.


Well this and the Loyal Wingman program is exactly what is happening. The Air Forse knows it needs lots of platforms not a few dominate airframes at a high cost.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
24126 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:14 pm to
Seems to me like we should be building more F-22 type aircraft and compliment them with more drones. These F-15s and F-16s are just not going to have good survivability with modern missile and anti air systems.
Posted by OchoDedos
Republic of Texas
Member since Oct 2014
39759 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:16 pm to
Obama got sold a bill of goods by AF Inc, and Lockheed Martin, claiming the F-35 would solve all of the Military's ills by providing the end all be all of 5th Gen fighter jets, at a laughable cost per frame that ballooned quickly out of proportion.
Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
88068 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:20 pm to
We need drone superiority
Posted by METAL
Member since Nov 2020
2280 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:23 pm to
Obama
Gates
And Nordy Schwartz

Thanks jackasses.
Posted by OU Guy
Member since Feb 2022
28631 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:23 pm to
Posted by OU Guy
Member since Feb 2022
28631 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 1:55 pm to
My old squadron 8 minute flight show Oceana

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Posted by TigerFanatic99
South Bend, Indiana
Member since Jan 2007
35739 posts
Posted on 4/18/26 at 2:46 pm to
quote:

In July 2020, the U.S. Defense Department ordered eight F-15EXs over three years for $1.2 billion.


$150M a pop feels expensive for an F15 at this point, especially when you're only getting two and a half or so a year
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