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Not before time-It has only taken them eighteen years.
Good job they weren't required ungently.
Now if we can get a few hundred more then whats budgeted we can be in pretty good shape.
No its not - the development schedule to go from prototype to production aircraft is planned and well thought out, and even still there are delays and other factors that contribute to long implementation periods. Bottom line, you want the aircraft to go into service without any problemsRush the F-35 into service. It is crazy how long they drag these things out for.
Speaking of the F-35, shouldn't it be the F-24?
Rush the F-35 into service. It is crazy how long they drag these things out for.
I forget the number USAF is going to be getting as of now. Its somewheres in the neighborhood of 180 or so isn't it?
And while I agree with your basic premise DoD by no means do I believe that air dominance should suffer because we need more special OPs forces and equipment. I remember when the Soviet Union broke up how many were predicting there would never be a major war again. If anything the breakup of the Soviet Union will cause more wars then it prevented, most of all with Russia being a major seller of High Tech fighter bombers and Air Defense networks.
The Old communists didn't trust other nations with their high end weaponry. Now? The Russians will sell to anyone. So Im afraid the need for a large Raptor force has never been greater nor has the importance of air dominance ever been greater.
Did Russia sell any fighters to Iran? or to Libya? Even so, both the Su-30MKX and upgraded MiG-29SMT ,which are currently the only fighters that Russia offers are certainly no match for a Raptor. So USAF doesn't need more than 200 fighters of this type even. And the development of the PAK-FA seems endless even a funding isn't a great problem in Russia anymore
Oops I just saw we are talking about Lybia and not Syria.
But still the point remains. Russia has allways supplied Lybia with equipment and aircraft. There is no reason to believe they will not in the future.
In fact according to GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information Lybia is looking into the prospects of buying the Mig-29SMT and the Su-30MK.
just as long there was no sanctions.Russia has allways supplied Lybia with equipment and aircraft.
BTW, should we actually continue to consider Lybia as a nation which is still hostile to the USA? I mean they're really get much more cooperative on a various issues, AFAIK there're diplomatic relations restored between two countries. So I wouldn't much wonder if for example French sell them their stuff in the nearest future.
Ramirezzz said:just as long there was no sanctions.