15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 23 Dec 2016 3:41 p.m. PST |
Apples and oranges of course, but the latest Twitter shenanigans of the PE should at least make Lockheed-Martin a bit more cautious in projecting future profit margins: link |
Risaldar Singh | 23 Dec 2016 4:48 p.m. PST |
The Fleet Air Arm is not amused… |
Mako11 | 23 Dec 2016 5:18 p.m. PST |
Throw Gripens or Eurofighters into the mix, to really shake them up. Hell, I'd even ask Putin for a quote on those lovely Sukhois too, just for grins. I suspect all of the above might get some peoples' attention. |
gamershs | 23 Dec 2016 5:43 p.m. PST |
I love the comparison that was made (an old jeep to a Humvee). The only problem is that both can do the job and you can buy 15+ jeeps for the price of one Humvee. What good is any aircraft or ship if it is too costly to loose. |
zoneofcontrol | 23 Dec 2016 6:56 p.m. PST |
The other side of that coin is the news story out (again) today that the US Air Force is bleeding pilots and other personnel. They may end up having to go to amazon dot com and ordering a bunch of drones instead. |
aegiscg47 | 23 Dec 2016 9:07 p.m. PST |
While you can definitely argue about the price, from all indications the aircraft is as advertised. When coupled with F-22s and drones, it's an unbeatable combination. I get to watch them almost every day and the reports are that the aircraft is pretty good at what it's supposed to do. Definitely pricey, but if you can afford it the F-35 is the way to go. |
Mako11 | 24 Dec 2016 12:02 a.m. PST |
Yep, and those inexpenaive "jeeps" can carry a lot more missiles than the F-35 too. |
David Manley | 24 Dec 2016 3:24 a.m. PST |
No doubt Mr Pres (desig) will recompense all those countries that have provided technology and design effort into the F35, amd who have bought into F35 infrastructure, ship design and build etc….. |
paulgenna | 24 Dec 2016 7:57 a.m. PST |
All those countries should be asking the same question of why they are so expensive. We need to keep men and women in uniform and if that means 1500 F-35 or even less then do it. At this point the F-35 is not shown to be that much better than other aircraft. Lower the numbers or quit making them and get those that work. |
David Manley | 24 Dec 2016 8:08 a.m. PST |
"get those that work" Looking forward to suggestions for alternative carrier capable STOVL aircraft that would suit the UK, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the USMC….. |
grtbrt | 24 Dec 2016 8:39 a.m. PST |
no recompense needed . Think of it as a large scale kickstarter |
paulgenna | 24 Dec 2016 8:45 a.m. PST |
David, If the F-35 is the only option for a STOVL then that is what they have to get. It is sad if that is the sole solution since it does not have the ability to carry a large volume of weapons. Having served in the Corp, when we need air support we wanted something that could lay down weapons. Can the current F-35 even use the machine guns yet? Sorry, all of you F-35 huggers but it is a platform that currently does not provide the best solution. |
Andrew Walters | 24 Dec 2016 9:43 a.m. PST |
I wonder if this isn't just classic negotiating. "That's your best offer? Okay, I'll take it under consideration, let me just talk to this other guy and see what he says." Same thing with the Taiwan phone call. Let the other side know you're talking to other people, that you have options. Even if they *know* that's what he's doing he's still demonstrating that he can make this hard and maybe kick their stock price around, too. It's a totally different approach that we're used to. Who knows if it will work. I wonder if you couldn't build an air force around the F-22 andF/A-18 nearly as well as the F-22/F-35. Stealth is essential for some missions, not for others. |
SouthernPhantom | 24 Dec 2016 9:45 a.m. PST |
I suspect that you could, although you would need larger numbers of F-22s for the SEAD/HVT strike role. The idea of reopening the F-22 line is being seriously considered, though. |
Mako11 | 24 Dec 2016 9:48 a.m. PST |
Last version of the SHARs. A pity those were scrapped. |
Andrew Walters | 24 Dec 2016 12:55 p.m. PST |
We have drones and long range missiles that could also combine with the F/A-18 to replace the role of the F-35. Maybe the only thing the F-35 gives us is SVTOL, and that's only with a light weapons load. |
Risaldar Singh | 24 Dec 2016 4:41 p.m. PST |
@David Manley "No doubt Mr Pres (desig) will recompense all those countries that have provided technology and design effort into the F35, amd who have bought into F35 infrastructure, ship design and build etc…" Sure, Her Majesty and Her Majesty's PM will both get a complimentary 2-nights stay at the Trump Hotel of their choice… |
David Manley | 25 Dec 2016 2:43 p.m. PST |
Of course as it turns out no one is talking about cancelling anything. |
grtbrt | 26 Dec 2016 8:19 a.m. PST |
Of course they are not . Politicians talk tough up until the time 2 things happen a) They are told the factory/base/site in their district is the one being closed /mothballed b) the lobbyists have a private dinner with them (or usually a family member of theirs) outside the US (or which ever country the politician represents . Then money changes accounts and lo an behold now the politician is a supporter of giving that system/weapon/etc. a chance "to take our country into the future " Its all about the money and not what is best for the armed services. |
paulgenna | 26 Dec 2016 4:26 p.m. PST |
Not at this point. Trump needs to have his own evaluation done. Hopefully, it will be a thorough one and not driven by politics. |
Lion in the Stars | 26 Dec 2016 5:26 p.m. PST |
The problem is that Stealth is bloody expensive. Building a new fighter is expensive and time consuming. The F35A (USAF version) is doing pretty well. They still get eaten alive by the A10 drivers in dogfights, but that's not a fair fight for anyone. The A10 is unearthly maneuverable, it can usually eat F16s in a dogfight. If you allow BVR engagements, it totally changes the fight, the F35 will win most battles. |