Posted on 07/17/2010 6:51:52 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Development of the next generation of warplane is already over budget and behind schedule. Hidden in a hangar at the US Navy's Patuxent River Air Base, in Maryland, away from prying eyes and shaded from the intense sun, US and British ground crew made the final preparations before the plane took to the clear blue skies. RAF and Royal Navy personnel are already working alongside American crews as they conduct the final trials before it goes into production. There's nothing particularly unusual about the Lockheed Martin JSF's appearance. It looks like a modern jet fighter. It's what you can't see that makes it so special - its software and intelligence-gathering capabilities. Squadron leader Steve Long is the first RAF pilot to fly the single-seat plane. He says he can't believe his luck. He's like an enthusiastic boy who's just been given a very expensive toy. Sitting in the sleek cockpit he explains the plane's uniqueness. He says the obvious advantage of the aircraft is its stealth - or low visibility. It's like a well known brand of lager - it can reach parts of the world that others cannot. But there's much more. The JSF is also a spy in the sky. It can gather information from space, land and other aircraft - and then transmit that information to commanders on the ground.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Ping
I really like your pictures! Keep up the good work
:)
“The US’s costs are greater because they are ordering three different versions of the plane - one for the US Airforce that can land and take off on a conventional runway, one for the US Navy that can be catapulted off their large aircraft carriers, and one for the US Marine Corps that - like the British version - will have a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability.”
I’ve suspected that to be the case for some time. Trying to make one design meet three very different service requirements is a pricey business. It can be a risky one too, as it can lead to design compromises that make for a plane that doesn’t overwhelm in any particular role (though my gut feeling is they’ll get the F-35 done right, if not cheaply).
I agree
When it is all said and done, this fighter will do a lot of things well, but will not be best in class in any of it’s roles.
It is impressive.It is a fifth generation, single-seat, single-engine stealth multirole fighter that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions.
I wanted to post the video but could not figure out how to do that.
I tried to post the F35 but the size was either to large or to small. LOL
I love these beautiful airplanes!
I encourage you to post more.
Have to disagree with that.
This thing is top of the line.
It is the most advanced fighter in the world hands down.
The beauty of it..is its recon and undetected modes.
That means more than having firepower these days so far
as a military craft goes. Its all about spying, recon etc. Not alot of actual firing going on. We have the gunships and h/w for that.
I like the F-35 and I always have liked it. It must be a totally amazing aircraft to get in and fly and I believe it has great performance potential.
Better than a F-22 Raptor ?
But can we afford to build and field meaningful numbers? The thing people miss about Chinese and Indian economic growth is that scientific advance and military might will follow.
I think we can. As more jets are built and sold, the cost of the jet will fall down.
This is the “Hot Rod” of jets in the 21st century.
F-22 has some advantages but overall F-35 has technical superiority in its h/w and s/w packaging.
I think the F-35 is cheaper also.
And that means alot when two items are comparable.
I am just a general aviation driver and retired EOD so will trust your experience yet from my read(s) on such, including but not limited to that the USAFA has recently produced. I have to say I am a fence sitter on the pro versus con. I will make my bet on the F-22 in best of breed competition. Many good and bad on both sides but this was most honest I have found thus far.
http://www.afa.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/IssueBriefs/F-22_v_F-35_Comparison.pdf
Hope yer well Sir !
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