According to the Air Force Association Daily Report, the Air Force is now briefing non-U.S. operators of the F-15C/D Eagle concerning the structural failures that have grounded a large portion of the fleet since December:
As far as can be determined, none of the other Eagle operators have grounded their forces. Most of their aircraft are newer than those in USAF service, and with the exception of the Israeli and Japanese aircraft, have fewer flight hours. The Israeli and Japanese aircraft have all been extensively modified (most Japanese F-15s were actually built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), which may mitigate any structural weaknesses in the forward longerons. If the problem were widespread, it would create considerable vulnerabilities for the U.S. and its allies in two critical and volatile regions. On the plus side, tests have revealed cracks in only nine of 162 affected USAF Eagles, which means that at some point the fleet should be cleared to fly again. It is doubtful that USAF will bother to repair the damaged aircraft, but rather will probably reinforce the longerons in the remaining aircraft as a precautionary measure. As noted elsewhere, USAF had always planned to retain a “golden fleet” of some 180 F-15C/Ds as a backstop to its planned force of 381 F-22 Raptors. Operating in an air defense capacity over the Continental United States and friendly airspace, the Eagle, when provided with much of the avionic and sensor technology being installed on the F-22, can perform the interceptor/air superiority mission almost as well as the vaunted stealth fighter, at a fraction of the cost. This then frees the available Raptors for operations over “Indian Territory” (hostile airspace), where its stealth, supercruise capacity, and thrust vector controls will provide a decisive edge over advanced air defense missiles such as the S-300PMU and Su-30 Flanker, both of which are entering the Chinese inventory. With Venesuelan president Hugo Chavez expressing an interest in spending some of his oil revenue on these advanced weapons, we may face an increasing threat level within our own hemisphere as well. However, the Bush administration has capped F-22 production at 181 aircraft, which is insufficient to meet the threat posed by advanced fighters and air defenses in Asia, the Middle East, and even our own backyard. The Eagle force is aging much faster than anticipated, replacement is inevitable, and the Raptor will be the only available option for the next president.
