Darn! We bought F-15s for RSAF
- Thread starter Zplus
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Maybe was attracted by the offer of smart bombs.
SG is looking for a Fighter to replace RSAF aging A-4, which are used mainly for ground-attack role.
To get another multi-role fighter, eg F-16, Rafale, will not fully fullfill the missing gap RSAF will be having after the retirement of A-4.
That's why F-15 is chosen. It is more of a Fighter-bomber than a fighter for close-range.
Read from some forum, SG will get stand-off weapons as a package, which is satellite guided bomb(up to 70km range). This is further than most SAM's reach. The F-15 can fly outside SAM's range & drop these bombs without endangering our pilots.
And with the larger weapon load compare with F-16 & Rafale, it delivers more damage per sortie.
In short;
F-15s go for ground targets, while F-16s fly over them, covering them. A perfect combination.
Just my view.
To get another multi-role fighter, eg F-16, Rafale, will not fully fullfill the missing gap RSAF will be having after the retirement of A-4.
That's why F-15 is chosen. It is more of a Fighter-bomber than a fighter for close-range.
Read from some forum, SG will get stand-off weapons as a package, which is satellite guided bomb(up to 70km range). This is further than most SAM's reach. The F-15 can fly outside SAM's range & drop these bombs without endangering our pilots.
And with the larger weapon load compare with F-16 & Rafale, it delivers more damage per sortie.
In short;
F-15s go for ground targets, while F-16s fly over them, covering them. A perfect combination.
Just my view.
LazerLordz
New Member
Garion said:
T version.The most powerful version so far.With the AESA radar which the K version lacked.
And with the F-15s, we will have a dedicated deep strike bomber wing.
evq said:SG is looking for a Fighter to replace RSAF aging A-4, which are used mainly for ground-attack role.
To get another multi-role fighter, eg F-16, Rafale, will not fully fullfill the missing gap RSAF will be having after the retirement of A-4.
That's why F-15 is chosen. It is more of a Fighter-bomber than a fighter for close-range.
Read from some forum, SG will get stand-off weapons as a package, which is satellite guided bomb(up to 70km range). This is further than most SAM's reach. The F-15 can fly outside SAM's range & drop these bombs without endangering our pilots.
And with the larger weapon load compare with F-16 & Rafale, it delivers more damage per sortie.
In short;
F-15s go for ground targets, while F-16s fly over them, covering them. A perfect combination.
Just my view.
Ah... its packaged with the JDAM and JSOW then... which is good. Launch from far and gets guided via GPS. But those are rather expensive. Basically a satallite guidance system hooked to old Mk82 free fall bombs.
Yes, the Strike Eagle does have an impressive payload... guess we'll be using it as a bomb truck....
Sjourn said:
A-10 is mainly a Tank-killer. A seating duck against anything else. This role already covered by Apache.
Look at RSAF's list of aircrafts;
F-16 = Multi-role. Good close-range, probably replacing F-5 in long run. Too small to carry enough bombs for gound targets per sortie.
A-4 = General fighter, RSAF uses it mainly for ground-attack, since F-16 arrival.
KC-135 = Tanker & transport, mainly for F-16, which uses diff refilling probe, not compatitable with C-130
C-130 = Transport cum tanker
Apache = attack heli, tank-killer
CH-47 Chinock = Heavy lift heli
Super puma = mid lift heli
Almost a all-rounder. Now what RSAF lacks is a bomber, but to purchase a bomber will be seen as an aggressive geature by the surrounding neighbours. Hence, a fighter-bomber is a better choice.
Though I prefer the newer Rafale, but it does not fits in the RSAF. No point buying another pairs of newer, better chopsticks, while u already have one. Should get a spoon:bsmilie:
evq said:
Actually, RSAF bought newer F-16Ds lately with the avionics dorsal spine, helmet mounted sights and conformal fuel tanks. These are even newer then the ones used in the USAF. This increased its range and also its capabilities. I believe they are used in the Wild Weasel role of SAM hunting. I guess the increased range would also go in line with the F-15's range. You might say that the F-15 was already chosen even before the announcement.
Zplus said:
The weapons include 200 AIM 120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); 50 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) with 500-pound warheads; 30 AGM 154A-1 Joint Standoff Weapons with 500-pound warheads; 30 AGM 154C Joint Standoff Weapons; and 200 AIM 9X Sidewinder missiles.
The way I see it, it does not need to be the "best" aircraft, but only a "good enough" aircraft for our needs, considering the potential threats we face in the region. These shiny new toys cost a whole lot of moolah, and if the RSAF can build an effective capability around these without breaking the bank, so much the better. After all, its YOUR tax money that's going into this. I heard an RSAF pilot once say, every time he took to the air, he was using up 1 average Singaporean's tax money for that year, that's how costly it is to operate and fly these toys.
I suspect inter-operability with the F-16 is a major factor. Each time you take on a whole new aircraft type, you need to build a whole new logistics and maintenance supply for it. I think the F-15 and F-16 even share the engine, IIRC. IMO, I think it is the right choice.
I suspect inter-operability with the F-16 is a major factor. Each time you take on a whole new aircraft type, you need to build a whole new logistics and maintenance supply for it. I think the F-15 and F-16 even share the engine, IIRC. IMO, I think it is the right choice.
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