People wonder why we call the F-35 a flying tin can. Matt Gaetz proves precisely why that is indeed the case:

X ^ | 5/1/24 | Matt Gaetz

[hardspunned]

Only 29% are mission capable despite costing $100m each.

[jimwatx]

The rampant corruption in this country has put America on a downward spiral. Corrupt money grabbing politicians are only out for themselves. I don’t see any of this changing any time soon. We are headed for economic collapse just like the Soviet Union did in the 90’s.

[hardspunned]

It’s all about profit margin on building and maintaining systems. The fact that ten more Ford class carriers are funded tells it all. They are nothing but obsolete targets now but we’ll continue to build them.

[Jumper]

I believe that the Israelis don’t have the poor maintenance related people or unflyable aircraft.

The F35 needs Elon Musk to review the program;)

[gundog]

Exactly. The Air Force was blown away when the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Homestead AFB won the prestigious Daedalion Award for aircraft maintenance in ‘82(?), keeping the arguably obsolete F-4 C/D flying.

It wasn’t always fun or pretty, but we could by-damn get a job done when we had to.

Today, I can picture some poor schlub telling a SMSgt that a plane is on hold while they wait for a sustainably sourced gasket to be procured from a minority or woman-owned business.

[hardspunned]

Nearly all that $1.58T will be spent on MIC contract work with typical MIC profit margins. If the Air Force were doing the work you could probably half the cost.

[roving]

You can watch his questioning of the Air Force on YouTube. The Air Force is in trouble if war broke out.

[Chode]

somewhere, PukinDog is laughing...

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Well, I fear we will find out how good the F-35 really is soon. Is it as good as the Mig-35? We shall soon see in the greatest test of them all—combat. Real War—the greatest test of them all.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

—> Not a plane in the sky can shoot it down.

Since 2/3 are not flying, I rate this as TRUE

[Jonny7797]

Oh ok so forever condemn the guy because he got that wrong. Are you another Republican purist who holds the moral bar so high no mortal can reach it?

[gundog]

Yup. Goals are nice to have, but...

A jet that can’t fly isn’t necessarily a waste of time and money. A newish system requires new training.and there’s always an inflow of new troops that need training. A jet may be grounded, and at the same time, people are learning to pull and install engines, change tires, overhaul any number of complex systems in all weather, dealing with dark, bugs, and the clock. That’s a luxury afforded by peace-time.

These jets are designed to fly and deliver ordnance, and sometimes systems need to be designed around those priorities. . I can remember some fairly minor parts that occasionally needed to be replaced. However, that might require pulling an engine out so that it could be accessed. Oh, well....

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

In a war situation a lot of precautions are negated.

Personally think anything that gets within 100 miles of the thing can be shot down.

I don’t trust our military leadership though to do anything right. I don’t think a Schwarzkopf, Patton, or Ike will be allowed to run it unless Trump is elected. Trump would let a General lead it. Biden’s team would micromanage it to pieces.

[vonHarpo]

I got out in 98 so I’m not privy to current information. Historically every fighter had problems when it first became operational. The Eagle had engine problems. The F18 had trouble guiding semi-active radar missiles to the target. F-16 fly-by-wire flight control system failed in a nose down position when it failed earning it the moniker of “lawn dart”. Hopefully they are working the bugs out of the F35. The only complaint I remember about the aircraft when it was being developed was it had to fill multiple rolls for multiple customers. Because of the expense they wanted one fighter designed for the Navy, Air Force and Marines. Which left an aircraft that was multi-functional but a master of none. The only question between the time I was in and now is that the people working to fix the problems may not be hired based on merit.

[Carriage Hill]

Thanks.
From what I’ve seen over the past years, that ‘Swiss Army Knife’ is badly engineered and broken.
Why does the USMC need a plane, if air support comes form the USAF and/ or USN?
DoD styill trying to get 10lbs into a 3oz jar.

[bert]

They killed the Iranian military leadership in Syria

They conducted successful missions in IRANIAN!!!

So bitch and whine.

[SaveFerris]

Marines had Harriers for CAS

Marines have flown F-4 Phantom II and F-18 I think

[SaveFerris]

USMC needs VSTOL fighter capability

[bert]

Be. Pure unadulterated and ignorant BS

[doorgunner69]

“Not a plane in the sky can shoot it down.”

Military aircraft knowledge not your thing, is it?

[doorgunner69]

Good summation for the technically illiterate here.

Might mention that if it is carrying a meaningful load of ordnance (which means externally), it is not stealthy

It was never intended to be an air superiority fighter like the F-15 and 22. Just a bomb truck.