Posted on 02/26/2010 6:45:03 PM PST by GOPGuide
I hope I didn’t sound too harsh, didn’t mean to. Just asking a question.
Developmental programs rarely go smoothly. The primary reason programs before the ‘90s went as smoothly as they did is the lack of advanced technology as compared to today or they were classified and had no oversight so we don’t know.
There are problems, that cannot be denied. But there are efforts being made to correct them. It’s not like folks are sitting back letting this thing fail.
However, there are many who’re already trying to bury the program under an avalanche of bad press and doomsday scenarios. That’s what torques me off.
Give the plane a chance to prove itself.
Give me a bloody break.
Only reasons that programs during that time didn't get sh**canned was the lack of dumba$$ democrats occupying the White House and a corresponding reduction in the REMF's running procurement programs and/or backshooting the deal on the side.
Ever hear of the B1A? Program started in the late 60's, swing-wing, fly-by-wire, every tekky bell and whistle you can think of and all the public heard about the bird was EXACTLY THE SAME LINE OF CRAP THEY'RE GETTING RIGHT NOW ABOUT F-35.
While I was working at Rockwell during the early 70's, it used to be almost comical; Senator Whatisface or Representative Blowhard would come through El Segundo for a VIP Tour, drop off the latest list of Products From My Big Donors That Damn Well Better Be On This Airplane, rush to make it back to the TV studio where he'd bitch and moan about the cost and how it was "going to be obsolete before it ever flies" and then fly back to DC so he could gut the funding in favor of some feelgood BS for his next election campaign.
When I first saw this thread and the bit about cannibalizing the production lines, I almost ROFLMAO, because after Carter took office, some very cold calculations took place in B-1 Land so that right after we got AV4 (the last prototype) moved down the production line, we were stripping every tool, jig and fixture out to mothball them out in the desert for the hoped-for time when some adults would take charge in DC.
Wouldn't surprise me a bit if L-M hasn't doing that very thing themselves, and, for that matter, the F-22 line hasn't been cocooned since last January.
Yeah, I'd like to see someone "Give the plane a chance to prove itself", too. Only problem is we've got an awfully entrenched apparat inside The Beltway and around the country that: 1) Doesn't like industries in general and defense contractors in particular; 2) Doesn't lack for anything but principles and concern for the country in their opposition.
Best things to hope for is the full-scale production of the F-22 and F-35 **BRAVO** models starting up in February 2012, and the answered prayer that we don't need them before that date.
I’m still unclear as to the reasons for that particular house-cleaning.
You are right. I was being overly simplistic, sorry about that.
Look at the Presidential helicopter program and you will see a modern example of exactly what you’re talking about.
I don’t recall PD ever supporting Rudy or RINOs in general. He used to not give a flip about illegal immigration, but he came around on that topic.
Absolutely correct! Too much consolidation!
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