Posted on 01/20/2011 8:12:16 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Only two years after Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ decision to end production of the F-22 Raptor at 187 aircraft, the program may be poised to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. When Gates made his decision, it was on the assumption that other countries -- notably Russia and China -- would not develop their own fifth-generation fighters for at least another decade or more. Yet, even as the Secretary met with his counterparts from the Chinese military, that institution announced the first test flight of the J-20, their entrant into the fifth-generation fighter competition. In addition, Russia has announced a cooperative program with India to build a similar aircraft, currently known as the T-50. Today, Secretary Gates’ threat projections look woefully wrong.
The emergence of the J-20 is but one example of China’s broad and deep investments in advanced military capabilities. Admiral Willard, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, recently informed the world that China’s anti-ship ballistic missile system had reached its initial operating capability. This is a system with no parallel in the world; the U.S. has nothing like it. In addition, the defense department’s annual report on China’s military activities paints a darkening picture of increasing investments in nuclear and diesel-electric submarines, mine warfare, advanced surface-to-air missile systems, ballistic missiles, space surveillance and cyber warfare.
(Excerpt) Read more at defpro.com ...
Ping.
No.
It was made on that ignorant assumption, AND the assumption of his Socialist masters in the White House and elsewhere (i.e., Soros, etc.), that they need to whack as much military (easy since they LOATHE the military) spending as possible so they'd have more to WASTE on their UN-AMERICAN social-engineering, gerry-mandering, micro-managing, authoritarian, Nanny/Police-State "fundamental transformation" of our Republic.
“The incident involved Airbus Military employees refueling a Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighter with a new A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport.”
Flying a tanker “owned” by the Australian Air Force. If this isn’t a strange set of affairs I don’t know what is... contract civilian pilots flying an Australian airplane fueling a Portuguese fighter... What next, American fighters made in Russia or China and flown by French?
Posted wrong place. Had two open, slow server and confused operator.
Well, I thought Dr. Gore was wrong on the F-35C future (easily repaired he said and still a useful airplane he said). I noted my disagreement and so should now note my agreement but we need to drive a bit harder deal with Lockheed to get some more F-22s built. If they don’t want to get more reasonable on the price we need to take the drawings and facilities we have paid for and put the manufacture of the airplanes up for bid or take up Boeing on the offer for F-15SE to supplement the F-22 fleet. Oh, and also cancel the F-35 while at it and buy more upgraded F-15E with the SE upgrades.
Just me, or has Gates been surprised by way too many things?
Don't ask. (Don't tell?)
Yes, bring it back.
ASAP
Amen to this. I do honestly believe that, next budget (or election at the most), the Raptor will make a comeback. Either upgrades or more airframes, but it will come back. Hopefully both upgrades and airframes.
Either upgrades or more airframes, but it will come back. Hopefully both upgrades and airframes.
—
And the elimination of the Obey Amendment to allow overseas sales... allowing the price per to dramatically drop.
Article conclusion:
“Ultimately, war has always been a numbers game. At some point, technologically inferior but numerically superior opponents will simply overwhelm the side with the better weapons. In conflicts between technologically equal adversaries numbers will determine the winner. While the F-22 is likely to be a better airplane than the J-20, 187 are not going to be enough to deal with a Chinese Air Force that is numerically superior and closing the technology gap with the U.S. Air Force. Before it is too late, the Obama Administration needs to resurrect the F-22 program and buy a couple hundred more.”
Don’t we need to prove to the world that the US is a nice guy? Relinquishing our Air Superiority doctrine is a good way to do that. Then the rest of the world can relax and stop manufacturing higher tech arms and threatening neighbors because they will know that America is a Nice Guy and finishing last will be perceived as less of a threat to those already-nice-guys in Russia and China and North Korea and Iran and Venezuela and and and
I’ve got a HUGH copy of that photo on my hard drive.
SIMPLY FANTASTIC.
Just about as awesome as any imaged Star Wars or Star Trek craft.
I've heard something like that before....Ah, Yes, the B-1
I think the word favored by the regime is “unexpected”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.