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2011-08-12 Home Front: WoT

Entire U.S. Stealth Fighter Fleet Grounded

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Posted by Steve White 2011-08-12 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Looks like we'd better hang onto our F15s, 16s and 18s for a while.

I know where we can get a bunch of Intruders. But you have to scrub the salt water stains off.

Posted by SteveS 2011-08-12 00:09|| 2011-08-12 00:09|| Front Page Top

#2 Not a problem. It can be solved and this is why western technology is far superior to many others attempts.

Posted by Kojack 2011-08-12 01:56|| 2011-08-12 01:56|| Front Page Top

#3 It's long past time to just do X-45 & X-47 types for fighter bombers. Keep A-10s for close support until robotizing them too.

Posted by Water Modem 2011-08-12 02:23|| 2011-08-12 02:23|| Front Page Top

#4 "because of a valve problem" Kojack just an upgrade you are correct. I'd bet it's related to oxygen concentrator valve switching from one cylinder to another to give continuous flow of oxygen. Some possible electrical issues related to switching process. Valve problem tells me one unit fills as another empties. They should have a warning indicator should oxygen percentage output drops to prevent pilot issues. We have available 21% normally. Back back in the day it was around 35%. That's why (one reason) I believe dinosaurs may have got so big.

Posted by Dale 2011-08-12 07:06|| 2011-08-12 07:06|| Front Page Top

#5 I was very much a skeptic of the V-22 OSPREY program too but it has become a real lifesaver now. It took far more cash than it should have but as it turns out it has become a priceless gem in our wars.

The F-22 is probably better than that F-35 by far. I read that the F-35 only delivers 40% of what was promised. Is that true?

And what is with these replacement engines for the F-35?

Posted by newc 2011-08-12 10:14|| 2011-08-12 10:14|| Front Page Top

#6
The F-22 is probably better than that F-35 by far. I read that the F-35 only delivers 40% of what was promised. Is that true?

Ever since the F-22 line was closed and the F-35 became "IT" we've been subject to a never-ending deluge of information about how horrible the F-35 is. For all I know some of this may even be slightly true.

And maybe it's the F-35 advocates who are standing in the way of the contractors whipping up a better plane for a measly couple billion dollars and six months of development once we cancel this as-horrible-as-an-F111 lemon.

------------------------------

People forget that the F-111 went on to serve for twenty years as a hell of a penetration strike aircraft and then was only retired because we decided to throw away half the air force in the 90's.

At the moment cancelling the F-35 would basically mean cancelling the recapitalization for the half of the air force we have left.

I have no idea where the "40%" figure comes from. I think someone pulled it out of their nether regions somewhere along the line.

The whole replacement engine thing was that GE was upset about losing the contract for the engine, and wanted Congress to buy their engine anyway. If they can't get that they'll see if they can cancel the plane instead, they live in a fantasy world where they think they'll actually GET the funding put in for their stealth version of the F-18Z (which will be built by Boeing but have GE engines).

(I remember when the F-18 follow-ons were the lemon. Hell, as far as I can tell, they still are, we just have diminished expectations).

I guess actually putting engines as good as the ones they say they can put in the F-18Z into the everyone-knows-they're-underpowered but they decided to live with it anyway F-18E/F/G _today_ somehow is beneath their dignity or something.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2011-08-12 12:21|| 2011-08-12 12:21|| Front Page Top

#7 Thanks Snowy.

Yes, that triggers my memory. I certainly am no fan of GE at all. They are the most corrupt political corporation there is behind Goldman Sachs.
I am glad they cancelled the engine.

I wish I had time to find all the articles in my archive.

Posted by newc 2011-08-12 12:52|| 2011-08-12 12:52|| Front Page Top

#8 This reminds me of Arthur Clarke's story Superiority.

Posted by James 2011-08-12 18:42|| http://idontknowbut.blogspot.com 2011-08-12 18:42|| Front Page Top

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