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2008-10-01 Israel-Palestine-Jordan

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Posted by Fred 2008-10-01 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Question:
For those that know about this aircraft, what is your opinion of the F-35?

Posted by return of LHR">return of LHR 2008-10-01 02:17|| 2008-10-01 02:17|| Front Page Top

#2 Too complicated by half. the next rendition of a 'one size fits most' aircraft. Thought we learned that lesson with LawnDart v. 1.0 and 2.0.

while the composites and stealth parts are really groovy, I think the added burden of the lift fan for the STOL/VTOL versions are going to prove a maintenance nightmare in the forward operating areas. The weight penalty imposed by that equipment eats into payload; the only good part is that the airframe doesn't need the strengthening necessary for cat shots ( for the USN version) More F22s would have been preferable and then plow the JSF bucks into UAVs. THe USAF has been mossasses-like in recognizing the value of the UAV ( don't want to give up their ascots)

Meanwhile tanking and cargo capacity is declining. C5s and C-141s being grounded / restricted due to airframe problems, only (finally) funded a few more (5 i think) C-17s.

Next up is Bomber 2018, aka B-3. That aircraft willl impinge on cargo and CSAR Helo funds.

Posted by USN, Ret. 2008-10-01 14:38|| 2008-10-01 14:38|| Front Page Top

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