F-35 - Necessary Modernization or Boondoggle?

[Richard]

F-35 by the numbers.

And so it goes...

Richard

BY THE NUMBERS: The Most Expensive Jet Ever Built
BusInsider, 17 Mar 2013

http://www.propublica.org/special/th...#ixzz2No7GcWVl

[longrange1947]

While I am all for updating and modernization, and having come from a family that worked with McDonnell Aircraft Company, then McDonnell/Douglas, this is a boondoggle that has gotten out of control.

I will admit that part of it, as always, is the services not being able to make up their mind on specs. However, the technology was not where they thought it was and thus this sucker has grown legs and hair. I would put it on the chopping block and put up notice that this type of BS will always result in a dropped project. That notice needs to go to not only the industry, but the services as well.

Just my 2 cents.

[The Reaper]

The problem is that given the lead time, we have no alternatives, and current airframes are running out of service life/options.

The Harriers are at the end of their lives. They don't make them anymore, and even the Brits are dropping them.

What do we propose to replace them with? Same for the Super Hornet, F-15 and F-16 replacements.

The program should have been more closely supervised, penalties assessed for missing milestones and cost goals, and alternatives developed years ago.

Of course, given the pitiful Osprey, I guess the pattern has been set.

TR

[Dusty]

Make drones bigger.

[UWOA (RIP)]

I vote: boondoggle. From what I've read, there are no other nations close to matching us in air power or its associated technology. IMHO this is just another example of empire ... boys with toys ... building. It's not the result of threat analysis.


And before someone makes the argument that we need to preserve the defense industry -- after Pearl Harbor we re-tooled and produced a massive amount of armaments in less than two years. Given today's technology and infrastructure, that timeframe would be reduced. We are an insular power; it is why our strategies are based on power projection -- and it is also why we continue to enjoy a lag time before a response is required (obviously excluding MAD scenarios).

[UWOA (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Make drones bigger.

And make them para-drop capable .... Can you jump a drone?

[MtnGoat]

I never knew how much was spent on this plane. Fricking CRAZY!!!!

As far as the fact that we have no alternatives, and current airframes are running out of service life/options; I call BS on that. Yes, on paper and .ppt shows it is true. But like UWOA no one can touch us currently or for the last 20+ years.

The F-22 Raptor is the world's first stealth air-to-air fighter and was/is developed to replace the F-15C in the air superiority role.

History as I know it. Boeing Corp designed and built the X-32 prototype and Lockheed Martin team developed the X-35. The X-35 was selected as the winner. Both were built to replace the F-16 and the A-10 for the USAF. USN and USMC have their variant for aircraft carriers and SVOT.

So with all of that, the F-22's main task is to get air superiority, while the F-35's/JSF's main task is to attack ground targets. Well having being supported by all of the replacements, A-10, F-16, F-16, F-18, ETC; we don't need to change them. IMO I feel we should stop the funding of the F-35 ASAP. F-22 is in production, so fix the small issues with it. I feel we need something slow to replace the A-10. IMO I don't think we need to replace the A-10. Just take the currently air frame and update it and all the electronics and guidance systems. They are great, flying in slow and low and what they bring to the battlefield.

My niece’s husband is an F-22 pilot and says that the F-22 smokes the F-35 and DoD should have dropped the whole program back in 2006 or 2007. Everyone knows it is a money pit, except for the people in our government that are getting all these kickbacks.

As far as the states and all these workers; I get that many will lose their jobs. With the way things are now, even more will than if this program would have been stopped back in 2005. 2005 is when it was known that the plane cost too much.

I'm not one to know about how stuff works in the Air. But talking to in-laws I know many say what is the slack time to develop a different fighter for ground troops support? What would be less expensive and better at this point? New line of F-16/F-15's? Well how much does the F-15T cost, I know it's a lot and comparable to 2 JSFs, not including research which has already been done? How much would a new line of F-16's with uber upgrades cost? Also a lot and how long to make?? Ok, another option is a new plane. Well, you have to do all the research on that new plane again?? New prototypes AGAIN!! You know those congressional people types want their state monies and all that. Even the F-16/F-15 may have to retire by then, because the USAF keeps saying their soooo ooooooooooold, anyway. Now because of "rules" we can't produce more F/A-22's to fill the gap. I've read and been told that there's the FB-22 Strike Raptor option but again, more R&D and more time than we have. Then you have the ONE Company making every service AC or every mission. CORP America will bitch to their congressional people types again. You run into the F/A-18 C/D and F/A-18 E/F problem again as far as it not being able to be built along with the Harrier. Soooooooooooo, let's look at solutions that those congressional people types are looking at, likely (NOT). All in the $$$$$.

The US DoD can produce the F-35 or we can spend more time we don't have making and developing another type of Prototype or aircraft. So what other options do we have open??

Is it a Boondoggle or not?? All on what side you’re on.

We keep selling F-16 and F-15 to other countries and these countries are not helping out on funding of the F-35. But they all want it once it is in full production. WHATEVER!!

I find it VERY FUNNY on how back in 2002 the F-35 was more cost effective. Ha-ha ROTFLMAO now!!

[ddoering]

I agree. Look at the B-52. Still flying. I wonder how many times they were said to have reached the end of their service life.

[Pete]

Depends on who's district you live in

[Lars]

Originally Posted by Pete

Depends on who's district you live in

Bingo!

It doesn't matter if you're talking about Republicans or Democrats. Its all about the money, for them and their cronies. Every time we talk about budget cuts to defense spending its the line units who get affected first and the most. I can't go to the range for the rest of the year because we are "out of ammo", but programs like this keep getting funded. I also wonder how many general officer positions are going to be cut with the proposed troop draw down. My guess is none.

[BMT (RIP)]

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/dod-r...HvyYAw.twitter

BMT

[MK262MOD1]

That last article is a bit misleading. The restrictions on the jet are not because of the jet but rather the local complaints about things like noise etc. At least that's my understanding. I know a bunch of the current crop of 35 pilots and can ask them next week.

[Roguish Lawyer]

http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/the...-a-garbage-can

[SF18C]

Well this follows the contractor motto…a problem NOT solved today is worth money tomorrow!

[longrange1947]

I will say it again, it is a boondoggle.