The F-35: Throwing Good Money after Bad

National Review ^ | July 22, 2015 | Mike Fredenburg

[C19fan]

The F-35 program could cripple U.S. defense for decades to come. “You could argue it [the F-35] was already one of the biggest white elephants in history a long time ago,” stated former U.K. defense chief Nick Harvey in a May interview. Harvey then doubled down, saying there is “not a cat in hell’s chance” the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) would be combat-ready by 2018. While it is noteworthy that a person of Harvey’s stature would level such harsh criticisms, his statement merely reflects the conclusions of reports by the U.S. Defense Department’s Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional Research Service, and various independent air-power analysts: The F-35 program is a mess; it is unaffordable and will not be able to fulfill its mission.

[Diogenesis]

Happy Thoughts in the White Mosque:

Range of F35A - 750 n.miles check
Range of Iranian Silkworm - 1400 n.miles check
Carrier Group Usefulness and Safety - zip check (and laughs)

[GBA]

Fwiw:

U.S. Marines nearing F-35B combat readiness declaration

[GBA]

For those who like pictures:

F-35 Lightening II seen in many different ways, from various angles, but always one shape – a photo report

[GBA]

Lots of interesting info, progress reports and pics at the company website:

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

[GBA]

Of recent interest:

Joint Program Office Response to “War is Boring” Blog
July 01, 2015

No, The F-35 Was Not Beaten by an F-16
U.K. Defence Journal // July 01, 2015

[Raymann]

Thanks.

[for-q-clinton]

It’s a shame the F-22 was cut.

[DesertRhino]

So far the flying moonpig literally costs more than the international space station.
Its a national embarrassment and a monument to corrupt procurement practices.

[DesertRhino]

For every F-35 you could have 2 to 3 F-15s. And the SE variant is freakin amazing.

[AFreeBird]

That is one damning article.

[Lower Deck]

It’s a shame the F-22 was cut.

It wouldn't help the Navy and Marines.

[for-q-clinton]

Right so let’s cut off our nose to spite our face.