Suhiir actually gave me something to think about as I haven't got near as far into that side of the question of EW. I only bring it up because the F-15E Strike Eagle has/is getting a major electronics suite upgrade now. They have had some minor work done to reduce their radar and heat signature, but the advantage here is the fact it's a big plane that is capable of "warehousing" a lot of electronics in this case EW. So I was surprised to see there's already an
F-15E UNIT 561 in the game with a EW that high, the only issue I see
without having looked at it is might it be appearing to soon is all in the game. The USAF under pressure from Congress has already conceded the need for a new
CAS (A-X Program.) platform. I see the F-15E/F-22 being the major players in "
deep strike" capability for the USAF. I think the F-15E will be just as good as the F-35 (
USAF decision still pending if it'll compete against the A-10 and F-35A in the CAS competition.) in a CAS role as well until the dedicated plane is chosen to replace the A-10 in that role. But in this era of precision stand off weapons the point is almost mute anyway even the newest AC gunship will have somewhat of a standoff capability with it's ability to carry "
VIPER STRIKE" and others onto the battlefield.
I believe those EW numbers are about right were they need to be the F-22
should be and is rightfully so the EW standard bearer for that type of plane/or class. Only a bomber should be higher and I believe the B2 is already. The B1B and B-52H are and have had
significant improvements made to their electronic suites and EW also. I will not forget the Russians as they can't be out of this discussion with the
Tu-160 BLACKJACK which many sites feel is on par with a per-current model B1B. I specified the last only because I haven't yet seen or given a "DEEP LOOK" into whether or not they've received any recent electronic upgrades.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/tu160/
But like the F-22 above, the
B2 is the standard bearer in EW for bombers without a doubt.
Is there not an F-35 with internal bomb load in the game? I thought there was but not listed above unless I missed it.
As a reminder I've posted several articles in here on the new updated electronics suite the F-22 is already flying with. As this is ongoing I would bet the ones with that suite already installed are the ones that've hit targets in Syria who never knew they were there using some of Russia's newest SAM systems.
A little something I've been talking about for years now is going to finally get it's day in court, after the USAF released their numbers a short time ago the Congress isn't buying the conclusions reached (After all they have full access to that and their own data sources.) anyway there'll be another look...
http://www.janes.com/article/59675/p...uction-restart
Regards,
Pat
