For reference, may I suggest folks read these comments about Drop Tanks from the E3 Trailer Discussion:
Also, disclaimer, I’m a Naval Aviation enthusiast and Open Source analyst so the following is public knowledge but only of interest to certain audiences; the Rhino (FA-18 E/F) is slowly being equipped with an external infrared air-to-air sensor mounted on the nose section of the centerline tank. That was the fastest and least aerodynamically disruptive way to give it one. This let’s it find and track aerial targets passively.
So it’s not going to be jettisoned under most circumstances because of cost and loss of new transformational “kinetic” (i.e., combat) capability.