[freedumb2003]

>>That statement assumes that the F-35 actually enters service.<<

The F-35 JSF is the perfect example of the old adage that a camel is a mouse built to government specifications.

It was a great idea — combine the F/16 and F(A)/18 into a single low cost homogeneous platform — basically make a Southwest Airways maintenance model. Make it better than the rest but not the best of the best (that was supposed to be the F-22).

And I was its biggest fan.

They screwed that up so badly that the F-35 being built doesn’t even resemble what was envisioned. Billions of dollars thrown away with no discernible ROI.

As I said before, the stalwart F/16 and FA/18 are good for another 20 or 30 years until the US Government decides it really wants a real MRF platform. I don’t think this “search” will result in one.

[GonzoGOP]

The F-35 JSF is the perfect example of the old adage that a camel is a mouse built to government specifications.

Unfortunately the government never wanted the F-15, F-16 or F-18 in the first place. John "40 seconds" Boyd forced them on the desk pilots. He is unfortunately no longer around to focus the minds of the procurement pencil warriors. The F-15's motto of "not a pound for air to ground" made it the best fighter in the sky for nearly 30 years. The F-35 is a Ferrari dumptruck. It can't do any job well and costs too much to buy in the first place. Heck it costs more per plane than the F-22 and that is better than the F-35 at both air to air and air to ground.

A good fighter can still drop bombs, especially with the development of JDAMS. But there isn't much you can do to turn a bomb truck into a fighter.

[riverdawg]

I would add to your excellent post that the F-22 line should be re-started. There is simply nothing out there or in the planning/development stages that comes close to it.