NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.--An F-22A Raptor and F-15C Eagle from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's 433rd Weapons Squadron fly in formation over Lake Mead, Nev., on July 16, 2010. The 433rd WPS is the only Weapons School squadron that operates two different types of aircraft. The Weapons School began in the late 1940s as the U.S. Air Force Gunnery School and teaches graduate-level instructor courses, providing the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)
Dave Majumdar, National Interest: The Air Force Is Asking a Big Question: How to Replace the F-22 and F-15
The United States Air Force has budgeted $500 million for its Penetrating Counter Air program to study a next-generation successor to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the Boeing F-15C Eagle.
The idea would be to ensure that whatever comes after today’s air superiority fighters can ensure America’s command of the skies in the post-2035 environment. However, until the Air Force completes an analysis of alternatives (AOA), it will not know what exactly the PCA will look like.
“As far as next-generation air dominance, which is what Penetrating Counter-Air relates to. We have about $500 million in the budget this year to finish an analysis of alternatives,” Carolyn M. Gleason, Deputy for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, told reporters at the Pentagon on Feb. 12. “As far as Penetrating Counter-Air, that decision really hasn't been made.”
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WNU Editor: So much for the F-35 being the solution. As for the F-16 .... it is going to be around for a while .... Why the F-16 will be around long after it 'retires' (Harold Hutchison, We Are The Mighty).
