The F-22 is expensive, but it's way beyond anything we or anyone else has (now). It's a complete package, so we are not buying simply an advanced airframe and equally advanced engines, but also all the advanced electronics and software along with support. Considering how long we keep these assets in our inventory and the decades of use and abuse they receive, not to mention how well they do their jobs and bring their pilots home, I'd say we more than get our money's worth.
Our aircraft have not had to go up against any air force of consequence, so we swagger about sure in the knowledge our early 70s airplanes are the best in the world and more upgrades will keep them omnipotent for another 30 years. Too bad it's not true. Recently, F-15s have been grounded after structural failures and due to structural cracks found during inspections. The F-117 is now obsolete and retired. The latest from Sukhoi are more than a match for the F-15.
Pre-Pearl Harbor thinking killed a lot of Americans as it meant we were completely outclassed with our cute P-26s and out matched F4Fs and P-40s when we really needed them. Failing to take our enemies seriously meant that "inferior" MiG-17s shot down quite a few USAF and USN pilots in Vietnam. That kind of history doesn't have to repeat itself unless we choose it. Any new airplane has to be designed to handle any current or potential threat along with those we have no way of predicting and then survive decades of extreme service. You don't buy that at K-mart.
Absolutely!
This nation must always maintain an arsenal far superior to that of any other nation or we will be guilty of abandoning our responsibility to ensure this nation's survival.
I don't know if the F-22 is a boondoggle or not. I leave that to experts. I do know that the money we spend on the military pales in comparison to that spent on clearly useless social programs.
Well stated.
Wish I read your post before I said about the same thing in my earlier post.
Very well said.