Doesn't like warm fuel, doesn't dog fight well, still has all sorts of software issues, can kill any underweight pilot trying to eject, etc, etc.

By the time it is ready, we will all be carrying jetpacks and shooting down aircraft with handheld lasers.


http://www.foxnews.com/opinion...deo&intcmp=obnetwork

yes. And this is the aircraft Australia has comitted to to replace the Hornets

They didn't buy the Apache either, but the Eurocopter Tiger!

We should have just stuck with the upgraded F-16, the upgraded FA-18 and the F-15SE Silent Eagle. In a few more years, we will have attack UAVs that are far more capable than a manned aircraft.

The F-35 was a mistake and it's going to cost three to four times more than was originally budgeted.

It has a very strange original mission intent.

It isn't really set up to replace the super hornet. The super hornet is the last dog fighting aircraft with that intent.

The F-35 is built to sneak in, blow stuff up and sneak out.

It should actually be called the A-35.F/A-18E/F's will be around for a long time.

The F-35 is the last manned fighter.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
We should have just stuck with the upgraded F-16, the upgraded FA-18 and the F-15SE Silent Eagle. In a few more years, we will have attack UAVs that are far more capable than a manned aircraft.

The F-35 was a mistake and it's going to cost three to four times more than was originally budgeted.

As I understand this dilemma, The cost over runs of the F-35 program have put a stop to the production of the F-22s. These F-22s would fill the need for dogfighting and LR intercept capability that the F-35 is preforming so poorly in those roles!

So the F-35 is a catch 22!!! LOL

The F35 seems to be following the F111 pattern. A supposed do-all aircraft for all branches of service. Robert McNamara would be proud! I predict that if it survives it will be a single mission aircraft. From a previous post it appears that it is filling the role of the old F111. That's exactly what it ended up doing - sneak/streak in and blow stuff up. For the Marines sake I hope the VTOL version survives.

The F-35 fulfulls a strange roll. The Marines need it for the A-10/Harrier roll Close Air Support.

The Navy needs it for a replacement for the F-18 super hornet. But that is a long way off.

I work in the aerospace industry in the mojave desert. The aircraft looks cool, has great weapons, great communication and has tons of maintenance worker nightmares. Changing an aircraft engine requires 2 CVN hangar bays.

The F-22 is awesome, along the same lines, but we consistantly beat them in dogfighting with F/A-18s. So technology isn't everything. Especially when it is a gun to gun fight.

The F-35 is an up and commer.

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
We should have just stuck with the upgraded F-16, the upgraded FA-18 and the F-15SE Silent Eagle. In a few more years, we will have attack UAVs that are far more capable than a manned aircraft.

The F-35 was a mistake and it's going to cost three to four times more than was originally budgeted.

As I understand this dilemma, The cost over runs of the F-35 program have put a stop to the production of the F-22s. These F-22s would fill the need for dogfighting and LR intercept capability that the F-35 is preforming so poorly in those roles!

So the F-35 is a catch 22!!! LOL

Yet apparently the USAF has money in the bank to let a bid on the Bone replacement:

http://www.defensenews.com/sto...ht-funding/74836976/

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:


The F-22 is awesome, along the same lines, but we consistantly beat them in dogfighting with F/A-18s. So technology isn't everything. Especially when it is a gun to gun fight.

Interesting..........

That is not what I've heard from active F-22 pilots or active F-18 pilots.

Inside visual and/IR range, all that money spent on stealth goes out the window...

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Inside visual and/IR range, all that money spent on stealth goes out the window...

Except that an F-22 has a grossly superior performance and maneuvering envelope than any of the current front line air superiority fighters. The F-35....Not so much.