According to this story, the DoD is going to try to see if it can equip F-15Cs with an air-launched version of our most advanced surface-to-air missile, the PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3). This is a sort of spin-off idea from the days of the anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon. Instead of shooting at satellites, the flying tennis courts will now shoot at incoming ballistic missiles.
As most of you know, F-16CJs missions are primarily suppression of enemy air defense, and we refer to our missions as "Wild Weasel" missions.
I propose we refer to these absurd (yet potentially useful) missions as "Wild Walrus."
It’s hard to believe the F-15C community is going to have to shoulder this. I can’t wait to rub it in!
How is it that Lockheed Martin ends up getting a contract to integrate a Raytheon missile on a Boeing airframe? The F-15 radar is made by Raytheon. That’s about the only pairing that makes sense in this endeavor.
I certainly don’t see this going onto an F-22 or F-35. At least there will be some work for the legacy aircraft well into the future. Then again, I’m surprised they didn’t try to throw this contraption onto a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk.