‘The OSINT Bunker’ – Season 2 Episode 8

Lots of speculation on CSG 22, but nothing on the possibility of USS Ford’s maiden deployment in 2022. Perhaps if there’s anything known about that, it might be nice to hear it in the next podcast (unless the war has stared).

Perhaps its just me, but I think there is a gap in Western air power since the long legged F-111 retired. Lets face it, the USA will not export B-2 or B-21 even to its closest allies. In 1995, a big wing version of the F-15E was proposed, with a projected combat radius 10% greater than the F-111. This would have been ideal for Australia, Israel, Japan, etc. It could even been a great Tornado GR4 replacement for the RAF. As the F-15 is still in production in its EX form, you could create a version incorporating big wing for extra range, the silent Eagle canted fins for a tiny bit of stealth & the latest EX avionics/weapons.
An alternative would be a big wing, new engine, long range strike F-35E. Or perhaps a dedicated long range strike version of Tempest. The EJ200 on Typhoon had a bypass ratio of 0.4 to 1. Great for an agile fighter, but the latest Russian TU-160 bomber has afterburning engines with a bypass ratio of 1.36 to 1. Much better for long range missions. Hostile nations are gaining better radars, SAMs & precision long range strike munitions. China is said to be building advanced electronic warfare facilities on its artificial islands to negate the Western technological advantage. These are some of the reasons why Western combat aircraft need greater range, so their carriers/bases can be further away from danger.