미공군이 예산부족으로 운용기체 종류를 줄이기 위해서 F-15C/D를 퇴역시키고 AESA업글한 F-16으로 대체하길 희망한다고 한다는게, 미 하원 국방위 청문회에서 밝혀졌습니다.
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/8560/usaf-looks-to-retire-f-15c-eagle-and-replace-it-with-upgraded-f-16s
USAF Looks To Retire The F-15C Eagle And Replace It With Upgraded F-16s
The news came as a shock to the committee and will reverberate throughout the USAF, Washington and beyond in the coming days.
This startling news came during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the current state of the U.S. Air Force. Chairman Joe Wilson asked right out of the gate about a previously unknown USAF plan to retire the F-15C/D Eagle fleet and replace them with F-16s.
In the F-15C/D's place, the USAF wants to put upgraded F-16C/Ds sporting their own, smaller AESA radars. The generals at the hearing stated that the plan is a tough choice that would lead to fewer types of aircraft to support overall, thus freeing up funds for other priorities. The service could make the final decision as early as this year for the 2018 fiscal year budget, or more likely it could inserted the plans into the next budget cycle.