Vendetta Final Proposal Part 1 (3.4 MB) - Cal Poly

and fly out of the threat area quickly. After retiring the aircraft in 1996, the Air Force decided a new aircraft was neededto drop precision weapons from remote airfields with minimal support.F-15E - “Strike Eagle”The F-15E Strike Eagle (Table 1.III) partially filled the role of the F-111A after it was retired. Although the F-15E airframe was designed for fighter type payloads, it is capable of both air superiority and ground attack missions.Superior maneuverability was achieved with the F-15E due to its high thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading.F-117 – “Nighthawk”The F-117 Nighthawk (Table 1.III) also aided in the replacement of the F-111A. However, it has a much lowerpayload capacity and a limited range. The F-117 is also not capable of supersonic speeds and is thus more vulnerable ifit were detected. If a supersonic aircraft were detected, the window of opportunity for an attack is relatively small.Thus, faster aircraft have a tendency to be less vulnerable. Due to the small payload and high maintenance of the firstgeneration stealth technology, the F-117 is a poor replacement for the F-111A.B-1B – “Lancer”The B-1A was designed as a replacement for the B-52. It could carry large nuclear payloads supersonically withan intercontinental range. The SALT treaty limited the B-1 to subsonic speeds and led to the creation of the B-1B. Themission of the B-1A was not unlike that of the RFP proposed mission; however it was performed with the aide of anafterburner in supersonic flight. More information is provided in Table 1.III.B-2 – “Spirit”The B-2 (Table 1.III) is very new to the U.S. inventory. It has intercontinental range unrefuled and carries largeconventional and nuclear payloads. The B-2 is a large aircraft that is very costly to operate.3