davparlr
Senior Master Sergeant
I think the plane will do its job. I don't think dog fighting is a big issue. Information netting should be a game changer. Long time in development, but three versions must have taken a toll.
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Since the F-35 was and IS being sold as strike-fighter, I'd say it had better be able to be a fighter. If it can't ... we have bought a turkey, pure and simple. I have no idea where you were 14 - 17 years ago when the F-35 was being hyped, but fighter was at the top of the list ... it was a STRIKE-FIGHTER and is still being marketed as such. That means fighter when the strike part is done.
If it can't, we've been sold a load of crap and have been lied to. If that is the case, stop making them now, scrap what we have, and start over with some decent leadership. If that is not the case, then make that fact public with proof from an international war game with non-restrictive ROE and a public outcome.
Don't TELL me; SHOW me or quiet down about it. As amply stated earlier, make your case. Not with development crap; with combat success or combat war game success ... with decent ROE. Since we have 100+ of them; they SHOULD be able to perform NOW. If they can't, stop the expense NOW. If they can, then full speed ahead.
I have no preference but hate the not knowing part of it. Meeting test milestones is meaningless. Success against modern enemies looking for you and knowing you are coming makes your case easily. I think the British or French could easily field a force of modern enemies. So could India, Russia, Japan, Spain, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Korea, etc. Try a war game with Brazil or South Africa or others.
See what it can really do and go with what you find out. If we're good to go, then GO. If we're not, regroup and make a new plan.
Simple and easy ... unless you already know the outcome will be bad and are desperate to spend the money while you can and nobody knows better. I don't claim we're there, but am getting closer to thinking it every day we don't know for sure while I cringe at the money we are expending.
Spare me the "we're on track." It's been 14+ years. Put up or shut up. I'm not in Congress but, if I were, my patience would be wearing VERY thin and Eurofighters would start to look mighty good about now. So would Sukhois.
Prove it or cancel it, and do it immediately.
Instead, we'll probably see more delays and phased-in capability expansion ... other words for more of the same delaying tactics. It makes a potentially good aircraft seem like a bad one, and nobody seemingly wants to really find out.
I think the plane will do its job. I don't think dog fighting is a big issue. Information netting should be a game changer. Long time in development, but three versions must have taken a toll.
I wouldn't call it a 'cash cow', you might offend all the honest and hard working cows around the world or any other anymals, it not being a called cash xxxx...or Lockheed Martin!
Back to my Morgan's!
I have just been told that the Govt have signed up to a 40 year contract for parts, upgrades and updates to software and hardware.
I hope that the UK never has to renogiate the contract because spares arent going to be available off the shelf. Lockheed Martin have a wonderful cash cow and I bet they are going to milk it hard.
Apparently both of you don't realize that you make more money off by post production support than you do by actually building aircraft. Imagine how much money was made supporting the B-52?!?!?
A lot of development will happen in 40 years and how much can be added to F-35, or is it....don't buy anything else, or...?
....any of them there famous thumbscrews?
Right...who's round is it?
Yep! And that's the beauty of it all as all the "winners" we've seen in fighter aircraft in the past 40 years all "grew a couple of sizes" or had some type of upgrades after entering service. During this time we've seen no "dogs" or "lawn darts" from western manufacturers, I doubt we're going to see one now!Very true my good man, that's why she did a 'Hornet' and grew a couple of sizes!
It's interesting to see the ongoing problems and political backlash the F-104 had, but in spite of it's shortcomings, it was a beast and remained in service nearly 50 years.Very true! Hopefully with a lot less incidents than with the '104!