Canadian NFA

[Aussie Digger]

to put it simply, range range range... the F18s just dont cut when it comes to range, period. try finding a picture of a F18 without drop tanks. thats the reason why I rule them out every time.

Range is not the F/A-18A/B/C/D series fighter's strong point, but there's no denying that the F-18 series has been one of the most successful of all modern combat aircraft.

It is correctly recognised as being the first genuine "multi-role" fighter in-service, (even F-16's took a long time to gain a similar level of capability and STILL don't possess the F/A-18's maritime strike capability).

The F/A-18E/F series is the fighter that the F/A-18A/B/C/D fighters should have and many of the aircraft's alleged flaws would never have existed...

Whatever our respective opinions of the aircraft, they will be operated by the USN, CAF, RAAF, Malaysian Air Force, Kuwaiti Air Force, Swiss Air Force, Finnish Air Force, Spanish Air Forces for years to come yet. And will do so with distinction...

 

[Pursuit Curve]

Range is not the F/A-18A/B/C/D series fighter's strong point, but there's no denying that the F-18 series has been one of the most successful of all modern combat aircraft.

It is correctly recognised as being the first genuine "multi-role" fighter in-service, (even F-16's took a long time to gain a similar level of capability and STILL don't possess the F/A-18's maritime strike capability).

The F/A-18E/F series is the fighter that the F/A-18A/B/C/D fighters should have and many of the aircraft's alleged flaws would never have existed...

Whatever our respective opinions of the aircraft, they will be operated by the USN, CAF, RAAF, Malaysian Air Force, Kuwaiti Air Force, Swiss Air Force, Finnish Air Force, Spanish Air Forces for years to come yet. And will do so with distinction...

What may have been true for the early series CF18 or F18A or C is not the case with the F18E. However, purchasing Strike Eagles would only be a stop gap measure due to the age of the aicraft now, and a new build Strike Eagle may not be economical for Canada to pursue. I would still like to see Canada do a serious requirement and compare the F35, Eurofighter, Rafale, F15E, F18E to see what is the best trade off for Canadian needs.

The CF18 has served canada well and while it is not perfect, it gave the CAF a true all in one strike, air superiority platform that was the envy of our NATO allies at the time.