03-06-2003, 07:53 PM
Actually, the F-15 was built off the lessons learned from the Vietnam era. The trouble is, the F-15 turned out to be a damned expensive and needy machine. So the Air Force began asking for a lighter, shorter-ranged, and cheaper aircraft to fly alongside it, to do some of the same stuff the F-15 was meant to do, but in a "junior varsity" capacity.
The Air Force chose the F-16 (over the F-17) because, among other things, the bird uses the same GE F-100 engine as the F-15. This way they could take advantage of the common supply chain and spare parts.
The Air Force chose the F-16 (over the F-17) because, among other things, the bird uses the same GE F-100 engine as the F-15. This way they could take advantage of the common supply chain and spare parts.
Political Correctness is the idea that you can foster tolerance in a diverse world through the intolerance of anything that strays from a clinical standard.