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Description
The FB-22 was met with a series of setbacks during its development phase, with one camp pushing for a F-111 class machine, and the other wanting a simpler frame ala F-15E. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman was discreetly offering a "low cost solution" to the USAF's next-gen strike requirement. The F-28D "Strikecat" was simply a clever repackaging of the EF-28B with parts of the F-28C for Air Force requirements. Weight reduction by the removing carrier equipment, an expanded electronic suite and reworked engines (with 3d thrust vectoring) were considerable selling points.

Of course, nothing substantial came from NG's proposals for Air Force Cats. The USAF politely declined the "Strikecat" and its Strike Raptor proceeded as planned, albeit five years late and over-budget (the F-28D was projected to be $20M cheaper than the base FB-22).

Description
The FB-22 was met with a series of setbacks during its development phase, with one camp pushing for a F-111 class machine, and the other wanting a simpler frame ala F-15E. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman was discreetly offering a "low cost solution" to the USAF's next-gen strike requirement. The F-28D "Strikecat" was simply a clever repackaging of the EF-28B with parts of the F-28C for Air Force requirements. Weight reduction by the removing carrier equipment, an expanded electronic suite and reworked engines (with 3d thrust vectoring) were considerable selling points.

Of course, nothing substantial came from NG's proposals for Air Force Cats. The USAF politely declined the "Strikecat" and its Strike Raptor proceeded as planned, albeit five years late and over-budget (the F-28D was projected to be $20M cheaper than the base FB-22).