fd_ski, The F-18E's have ended up far different from what they were originally proposed. Quite literally they were intially proposed as mere up-sizing of the C/D model. In the end though they were almost total re-works. The internal structure, wings, elevators, nose, winggloves and central fuselage box were almost totally new. Only the tails were upsized version of the old plane, and even they were different internally. There were some advantages though, a lot of aerodynamic testing had been done on the shape, as well as flight software that needed to only be tuned, not completely re-written. Of course, the wing drop issues at high AoA and some weapons seperation problems appeared that weren't expected and delayed (cost $$) to the program.
The actual cost, not including development aircraft, for a new build F-18E is actually quite a good deal. I heard a price in the range of 35 million a copy, or within 10% of the price of a new F-18C. *Note: this number could be misleading since initial production E models will not have the full avionics, ECM, or definitive radar packages. Other aircraft in production compare well in price to this with Rafale and Eurofighter costing significantly more for what is likely similar performance. Then again, those two are not expected to enter service in their planned final configuration either so electronics costs will mostly likely be higher. The US would never buy an aircraft not designed and build in the US of A... national pride wouldn't allow it. Only the Harrier is an exception and it's pretty clear the Marine versions are siginificantly US now in design.
I really think the Navy got screwed with the cancellation of the A-12 attack plane. They scavenged what they could and tried to quickly make a decision about what to do. they'd already committed to retire the A-6's, half were already artifical reefs (ok, that's an overexageration
). Why not address the range problem as the Mig-29, F-15E, or F-16 block 60 have done, conformal fuel tanks. The only reason I can think of is bring back weight would have been even worse. Looking at it that way it makes you wonder if there wasn't just a desire to get a production line running again and starting making airplanes. While everyone else is looking at producing the next generation of fighters the F-18E is mearly a warmed over design based back to the 70's.
Be glad the Navy isn't buying naval F-22's, those would set you back 200+ million per copy, the prototypes closer to a billion apiece. that would mean Canada could afford an airforce of 2 F-22's... though maybe only 1 pilot.
-Soda
