Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
I believe that the US Navy now has a bunch of expensive bird farms running aound with, in some ways, a much less competent air wing embarked. The attack component is now mainly the Super Hornet with fleet defense also being on the shoulders of the Hornet. The attack capabilities of the FA18 in some ways are not nearly as great as that of the A6 and the Hornet is not nearly as competent as the F14 was at fleet defense. Grumman had a proposal for an upgraded Strike Tomcat which would have had all the electronic and infrared targeting abilities of the Super Hornet, would have had a longer range, greater load carry, much higher performance, 0 WOD capability, could have launched W/O burner and the only advantage the Super Hornet would have had was more stealthy. Plus an upgraded F14D would still be able to deliver the Phoenix and still out perform most enemy A/c. Anyone else share my concern?
One of my best friends was involved in the electrical design of the X-35 and is now working on the first F-35. The lift fan is revolutionary. I got to see the first conventional flight as well as the first hover and I was thoroughly impressed. According to what some of my friend's work counterparts said in the hover mode, the X-35 was easier to fly than the Harrier and an RAF pilot flew her as well with the same opinion.Flyboy, how do you feel about the "hover" requirement for the Marines in the JSF? Has the Harrier been a competent and cost effective a/c for the US?
Don't underestimate the F-18 platform. You will see this bird on the books for the next 20-30 years at least.
Much obliged to all of you well informed gentlemen. Not that it matters but I now feel our carriers are much more capable. "If you want peace you must prepare for war."