[rdcbn]

The F-35 program is not one program. It is several. Its products are three different aircraft and several brand-new, and highly innovative, technologies.

Therein lies the problem, trying to force fit one airplane into missions that are vastly different for three services.

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That's assuming the aircraft are not superior aircraft.

The F-35A is an outstanding strike fighter and the STOVAL F-35B is a breakthrough aircraft technology that so outclasses the AV-8B it replaces that there is no comparison.

The jury is still out on the F-35C Navy variant but it should be much better than the F-18 it replaces.

[DesertRhino]

The F-35b is not what the Marines need. It’s a platform basically designed and optimized for everything -except- CAS.

This will cause it to be peeled away by a theater commander for deep missions, SEAD, and numerous other duties than have nothing to do with CAS. It’s gun exhausts it’s entire 180 round ammo load in 3 seconds.

Bottom line, the 35B wasn’t meant to help grunts, it was designedto help the USA and Lockheed on the unit price. That’s it.

Grunts

[freedumb2003]

>>That’s assuming the aircraft are not superior aircraft.

The F-35A is an outstanding strike fighter and the STOVAL F-35B is a breakthrough aircraft technology that so outclasses the AV-8B it replaces that there is no comparison.

The jury is still out on the F-35C Navy variant but it should be much better than the F-18 it replaces. <<

I hope your grandkids appreciate it.