Originally Posted by
UAL T38 Phlyer
I still believe this program is on life-support, waiting for the plug to be pulled. Highly-touted as "the most expensive weapons program in history," and "The Last Manned Fighter," it has a huge policial lobby.
But for what purpose?
With Congress hamstrung over how to reduce spending and the deficit (let alone debt), how would replacing F-18s, Harriers, F-16s, and A-10s with F-35s help over the next 20-30 years fighting Toyota Terrorists? (ie, insurgents in a 4WD).
I honestly think it wouldn't.
I think one of the services, probably the Marines, will pull out, and the whole house of cards will collapse.
"Oh no, what to do?" For the wars we are likely to fight over the next three decades, A-10s, F-16s, F-18s, and both flavors of Eagle will work just fine. (New F-16s are one-third the cost of an F-35).
I think I'm with you, as of today.
We have to send a message to the mil-industrial machine...they need to plan realistic projects and the execute them in a disciplined manner. Actually the submarine navy has gotten pretty good at that...they went through a parallel process like the F-22/35. Built a super-sub (F-22) optimized for cold war sub-to-sub but terminated that program early and transitioned the technology to a smaller cheaper boat with a wider capability set (F-35). The SSN-74 class subs are coming in early and under buget. Granted it's not a joint project.
CANX the F-35.
Re-start the F-22 line (better hurry, it shuts down today).
Buy more 15, 16, 18E/F as needed.
Start a clean slate strike-fighter program with fiscal controls built in. I think we still have time to beat the PRC and the russians to the draw.
The marines might lose out, not sure how long they can keep the AV8's going (although they did just buy ALL of the UK's fleet for spares).