the F-15 is 1960s technology - F-22 Raptor is 1980s tech - will therebe a NEW air-superiority fighter?

The F-15 Eagle was designed in the 1960s.

The Advanced Tactical Fighter, YF-23 and YF-22, were developed in the
1980s.
The F-22 Raptor is simply the production version of the YF-22.

Worse, some of the specifications and capabilities that the ATF was
supposed to have, as of the 1980s, was dropped from the YF-22 and
final F-22.

Worse still, the watered-down F-22 came into service 5-10 years later
than originally planned.

Worse yet, instead of 750+ or even 380+, the Air Force is currently
slated to get less than 200 copies.


The F-35 JSF is newer than F-22, but is really a low-end solution
optimized for ground attack and only modest (even if decent) air-to-
air capabilities.

F-22 / F-35 is another high/low mix like the F-15/F-16. But
unlike the F-15, of which there were a decent number (many hundreds),
there will be precious few F-22s. Sure the F-22 can win against 5-
to-1 odds or even 10-to-1 odds. But what about 20-to-1 odds, if the
USAF is pitted against Russia+China within the next 10-15 years?

Also I feel the F-15 was more advanced for the 1970s than the F-22 is
this decade, relatively speaking. Obviously I am not saying the F-15
is more advanced than the F-22, I am saying the F-22 is not as state-
of-the-art now as the F-15 was back then. The F-15 was a
tremendous leap beyond the F-4. Is the F-22 really that much of a
leap beyond the F-15? Maybe in sensors and low-observability
"stealth". The F-22 carries almost the same weapon systems and
weapons load as the F-15. Sure there have been some improvements to
the AMRAAM and Sidewinder, but not a revolution.

I know there will be those that disagree with me, and maybe some who
agree.

I do not believe that unmanned aircraft will take over the air-
superiority / air-supremacy / air-dominance role as quickly as some
think. Not by 2020-2030 anyway. Maybe I am wrong but I don't think
so.

The F-22 is finally in service now (as of a couple years ago). Back
in 1981 and early 1980s, the USAF came up for the requirements for the
ATF, what would, about 25 years later, be in service as the F-22.

What, if anything, is the USAF thinking about in now 2008 for the
future of the air to air mission, as it was in the early 1980s with
the ATF?

I'm thinking of not only the needs of the USAF, but services that
depend on the USAF, such as the U.S Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
The U.S. Navy seems to have given up on advanced high-end fighters.
There is no true direct replacement for the F-14 Tomcat. The Naval
ATF / F-22N was canceled over 15 years ago. I don't believe the Super
Hornet nor the F-35 are going to be able to provide air dominance.

Unless something changes, the entire U.S. armed forces will depend on,
give or take,
183 F-22 Raptors.