Can the 5EX Eagle Compete With 5th-Gen Fighters?

   Honestly, this doesn't surprise me all that much. Even trying to ignore my inner F-15 fanboy, I think the Super Eagle is an important piece of the American defense puzzle.

(I refuse to use the extremely nonstandard designation "Eagle II." It's not an Eagle II. The A-10 is the Thunderbolt II. The F-35 is the Lightning II. The EX is not a different aircraft named after an older aircraft. It's an upgrade--like the Super Hornet. IT'S THE SUPER EAGLE.)

   It can fly higher and faster than either of our stealth fighters. It's got longer range and can carry nearly 30,000 lbs. of ordnance. We are never not going to want a high, fast, long-legged, maneuverable fighter with a big-ass radar--even if it's just serving as a missile truck. (And this is not even to mention EPAWSS...) Stick some AIM-174s on that baby and bring on the Might Be Draggin's...

   But it's sounding like the EX might not be relegated to the missile truck role...: