The Strike Eagle reborn as the F-15EX is being purchased by the US instead of as many F-35 planes (down from 1,700 to 1,000 units). Buying instead some 144-200 F-15EX for of its speed, cruise distance and missile load capacity. This does point to some of the shortcomings of the F-35, specially its inability to carry large standoff missiles.
The F-15CX/EX is an ideal 1 seat interceptor/ 2 seat fighter for over your own territory in a national defense role like Canada needs.
Can carry 30,000 lbs (5 times as much as the F-35)
Low maintenance costs (half that of a F-35)
Extremely long life (ideal for Canada)
Ferry range (one way, no weapons) 3,000 miles
Combat radius 1,200 miles (680 miles for the F-35)
Ceiling 60,00 feet
Speed mach 2.5 (mach 1.6 for the F-35)
US is having to replace its older planes. The original plan was the F-35 could fill all the roles of all the planes it was to replace. This short sightedness however, has been seen and is being addressed with a cutback of F-35 orders. No one plane and variants are capable of filling the diverse amount of roles facing the American air force and navy. Stealth does not help you when you have run out of missiles and you now face a more agile opponent that has closed on you, still has IR/optical guided missiles and you cannot outrun him.
image sources
- F-15EX: pqgw CC BY-NC-SA2.0