Again we need to look at the era and the Services and enviroment that they operated in. What threats and design improvements were made during their service years.
F4 was used by both the USAF and the USN/USMC. They began Primarily as a AirSupremacy Fighter with the First BVR Concept. Aim 7 Sparrow "Great White Hope."
This aircraft Progressed to Bombing, RECCE, SEAD and other uses. As the Missions and warfighting concepts involved. Any time an advesary fields a new threat, all systems that are affected by that require threat investment deterence.
Because of the shortcomings and limited technology, systems upgrade path the F14,F15,F16,F18 were developed as follow on replacements.
F14 is a "Fleet Defender" Provides a Fighter Screen around the Naval Flotilla and or Escorting other Naval Fighters through their taskings.
F15C and F14 are comparable in there roles and "Mission Statement"
F16 and F18 are comparible in there roles and " Mission Statement"
Now also bear in mind, Budget defenses dollars, Changeing Geopolitics and threats. Evolveing warfighting and defense strategy by differnt administrations take affect.
Systems that were predominent before these systems slowly get edged out or replaced all together.
Some Case in points.
A-6 intruder, F111, OV10, A1E, F4E/G,
A-6 Intruder Navys premier BombTruck Eventually edged out by refined NAvy Marinecorps aviation asset streamlining and Aged Airframes. Replacement "F-18"
F-111 old 60's era replaced by F16C lantirn,F117A, F15E, B-1
EF-111 Jammer, C130 Special Mission, Portable Jammer PODS, EA-6b Prowler, S-3 Viking
Ov-10 FAC, replaced by A10 Community adding to its mission F16/F18 Secondary take up.
F4E/G SEAD-Replacement: F16CJ, Ea6B, AGM-88 becoming a common standard Upgrade to Multirole Aircraft. F16, F15E,F18C,F18E,Ea6bProwler, S-3 Viking ETC.
Now we also add into account the Joint operational doctrine and the campaigns that have taken place in the past 20 years. Secondly we add in our NATO or regional defense strategy partners that have their own unique capability. This adds more reduction and changes.
Now we add in Financial Politics. After a while the Pentegon has to please the GOP and define in detail what they need and what they can do without.
Edited by - MrMudd on Aug 18 2003 05:38 AM
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