Originally Posted by
Kasserine06
But wouldn’t it be possible to put those same avionics and targeting systems into a cheaper airframe? Or in the sense of standardization, why not design an avionics, weapons, and targeting package that are the same for all fighters. Of course there could be minor modifications of software and hardware for specific cases.
That is basically what the F-35 will be. It is replacing much more than just the F-16 that you mentioned earlier. As far as a cheaper airframe - you are already seeing that. Many of those sensors and avionics and targeting systems are going into a variety of UAVs. In other situations, if you want the capability that will be brought to the battlefield with these new system then no.....you can't get them necessarily on older, cheaper airframes. The US military likes the idea of smaller, sleeker, more capable forces. We rely on our technological superiority over the mass numbers of less capable aircraft. the question you pose about a fewer number of more expensive aircraft versus the large number of cheaper aircraft is as old as weapons themselves. Aren't you wanting to go ito the military soon? Maybe you will find yourself in the acquisition field. We could really use some good, smart people who actually know how to manage capability and money at the same time. IMO.
USMCFLYR