Originally Posted by
ryan1234
Fairly interesting article by Mr. Sprey on the F-35.
Could it end the same as the F-22?
I would think it has a better chance of survival because it is being marketed to a number of countries, something the -22 was never allowed to do. There is some rumbles that Japan, long a potential customer, is going to rattle some cages with North Korea banging the drum and China fielding lots of new fighters. But the -22 is probably already toast.
Note that Sprey has the -35s wing loading at or more than the -105 which was a good machine but NOT a fighter. The next thing you know they will say all future engagements will be with
long range weapons. Said that after WWII. Said that after Korea. Said that.. well, you get the idea.
I did read where some wag said it would probably be cheaper for us to just buy Flankers from the Chinese and Russians. In fact, an outfit did recently buy a few Flankers from the Ukraine and are being refitted with US cockpit instruments.
What do you think a relatively low time Flanker goes for now?
