Technological Advancement is only one parameter, and arguably not the most important. One must remember that all aircraft including fighters have a finite life, measured in flight hours or cycles. Everything about these aircraft has a limited life. It takes decades to develop and introduce a new fighter. In the meantime, the existing aircraft get older. The current use of our fighters is burning out our fleet at a higher than rational rate, IMO.
As an example, our civilian passenger aircraft have an average age of something like 15 years. We donβt come up with new designs exactly, but we do have to continue the manufacture of new metal. Time and flight hours march on. Navy aircraft live a tough life. Carrier landings (as well as catapult launches) are stressful. >From the web: The U.S. Navy is extending the service life of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours through the Service Life Modification (SLM) program . This extension adds roughly 4,000 flight hours (or 13+ years) per aircraft, allowing them to remain in operation alongside the incoming F-35 Lightning II. Key details regarding the F/A-18 service life include: * Initial vs. Extended Life: The original design life was 6,000 hours, but SLM upgrades are raising this to 10,000. * SLM Program: This process involves inspections, repairs, and upgrades, including converting older Block II jets to Block III capabilities. * Growler Fleet: The EA-18G Growler (based on the F/A-18F) is also undergoing, or expected to undergo, life extension initiatives. * Older Hornets: While the "legacy" A-D models are being phased out, some were previously extended to roughly 8,000 hours. Bob Ditchey From: Jack Keady via Mifnet <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 11:21 AM To: David Wardell via Mifnet <[email protected]> Cc: Jack Keady <[email protected]> Subject: [Mifnet π° 75268] new fighter? keady: how do we feel about this? is it that much more advanced than the expensive F-35? <https://mzpjmp.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjk5MTQyMCxcImxcIjoxNzc5NTUzMjIyODM5NTE4NzgsXCJyXCI6MTc3OTU1Mzc2NzAzOTk3MDg0fSIsInMiOiI2MjJkZGQyYjM2Y2YzMGFjIn0> U.S. Navy CNO Warns F/A-XX Must Launch Now to Face Future Air Defense Threats 2026-01-29 <https://mzpjmp.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjk5MTQyMCxcImxcIjoxNzc5NTUzMjIyOTEyOTE5MTIsXCJyXCI6MTc3OTU1Mzc2NzAzOTk3MDg0fSIsInMiOiIwYmNlYmIzZjRhMjBkZjVjIn0> Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle warns F/A-XX must launch now as Iran and other adversaries field advanced air defenses, ending the era of flying with impunity. The U.S. Navyβs next-generation carrier-based fighter, known as F/A-XX, appears to be still stuck in a limbo, almost a year after Boeing was selected to start building [β¦]
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