I used to think the same thing...until I heard about the F-15's breaking in half and full of airframe cracks, and the expected airframe life of the F-22--not good.

I think the F-35 is valid but only for the Air Force. They should do away with the VSTOL version and the Navy/Marine Corps use Super Hornets.

I had the privelage/misfortune of driving underneath a Harrier at about 150ft landing at BTL for an airshow with my sunroof open.... let's just say that my ears were ringing about twice as long as they were after the Family Values Tour 98.... and that was a huge difference in exposure time....

So why is the F-35 only valid for the Air Force? I will agree that VSTOL is not needed, however the USMC is not and will not buy Superhornets so, they need the aircraft. Why isn't it a valid or viable platform for the Navy? F-35 brings a lot of capability to the table that isn't resident in E/F. To say this airplane has no use for Naval Aviation is really saying that Naval Aviation doesn't belong in the fight after E/F.

If the city gets their way - the approach will keep the F35 from flying overhead...that will shut down AFSOC and the Test Wing. There go a hell of a lot of jobs.
That or the F35 schoolhouse...or just DEAL with the noise??!?! It's one or the other. I am thinking this isn't a done deal yet. I have a little info on these issues since I have worked this.

Ok, so lets buy more of F-15s and F-16s. They're much cheaper and still viable. Yes, they aren't the newest and badest, but they sure would save us a lot of cash we don't have.

Is there anyone who truly believes the F-35 program stands a chance given the current economic climate?

Our country is broke and with record deficits and national debt, I can't imagine the O admin would go for this.

-Fatty

Agreed....it is doubtful a done deal as many thing keep changing on a daily basis - and not just for the future F-35 program!

USMCFLYR

The Locals around Eglin are just wussies... Loud is working the Ramp at RAF Lakenheath during the late 80s early 90s F-111s has to be the loudest aircraft ever developed... up till then I didnt think than anything was Louder than the F-4G.. oh how I miss Spangdahlem...

First of all there are many things F-22 and F-35 bring to the table that Eagles/Vipers/Hornets don't, there's reason #1. Reason #2, why support cuts for a program that already has so much invested, what you're collectively saying is, yep we can write off the billions already spent, and shift that money to new spending? Are you serious? I suppose you're a proponent of cutting out carriers as well just because they are the single biggest line item in the DoD's budget?

Let me ask you this. What cost benefit(long term) is gained by cutting F-35 at this juncture? Will this platform not be needed at some point down the road, only at a much higher price? What do you say to all the countries who have paid billions for portions of JSF as their platform of the future? Thanks for playing/paying, but we're done with it.? This platform is not just going to be utilized by the US as F-22 is.

Noise? At SJAFB with F-4's and Buffs, JET NOISE was (and IS) the SOUND OF FREEDOM!!