NATO Meeting

National politics will undoubtedly play a part in the future roll-out of the aircraft. I know Canada has wobbled over the last few years. Even in the Uk there are discussions in Government about buying the cheaper CTOL version once the current commitment to purchase 48 of the STOVLs is complete.

Interesting.

Presumabley, the money Uncle Scam wasted developing and purchasing these aircraft is included in the 4% of GDP defence spending.

fatcat posted:

Interesting.

Presumabley, the money Uncle Scam wasted developing and purchasing these aircraft is included in the 4% of GDP defence spending.

Probably.

how much have they spent on hypersonic misiles and hypersonic anti-misile systems ?

thebigfredc posted:

National politics will undoubtedly play a part in the future roll-out of the aircraft. I know Canada has wobbled over the last few years. Even in the Uk there are discussions in Government about buying the cheaper CTOL version once the current commitment to purchase 48 of the STOVLs is complete.

48 x F-35B's (STOVL) makes sense,  RN will use 12 per carrier in a peace time role,  & up to 24 per carrier in conflict,  so 48 is the correct number for RN requirement.    Apart from cross service flexibility,  STOVL is not required in an RAF role.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 is supposed to replace two very successful and aging jets, the Air Force F-16 Falcon (flying since 1978, 4,588 built) and the Navy's F-18 Hornet (flying since 1983, 1,480 built). The program is the most expensive military weapons systems in history, running by 2014 $163 billion over budget and seven years behind schedule. The F-35 (Model I) was used in combat for the first time in May 2018 by the Israeli Air Force.

It's also replacing the A10 and Harrier in the US hence savings with economies of scale.

thebigfredc posted:

It's also replacing the A10 and Harrier in the US hence savings with economies of scale.

SAVINGS

The $163 billion over budget is costing every US citizen over $700.

Yep I used and meant the word ....savings (not free) as the F35 will replace at least 4 types of existing, aging aircraft in the US. To replace each with a new, specialist type of aircraft would be kin expensive.

Somebody came up with a budget to make a 4 in 1 plane, assuming it would cost less then 4 different planes. Well, it appears the cost of the 4 in 1 plane cost more than anticipated, to the tune of $163bn. There’s no evidence 4 separate/less complex designs would cost more than the F35.

But, the real point is this. Why do the USA need the F35, it’s not as though they have ever failed to gain air superiority with their present fighters.

Why does Isreal need F35’s, sureley their previous planes where quite capable of attacking Palastinian/Lebanese civilians or Iranian drones.

fatcat posted:

But, the real point is this. Why do the USA need the F35, it’s not as though they have ever failed to gain air superiority with their present fighters.

 

 

The key word is 'stealth technology' which the other older jets completely lack.  

Three months ago an Israeli F-16 was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles (dozens were launched). Flying an F-35 the crew would have had a much better chance to evaded the SAMs.

Haim Ronen posted:

The key word is 'stealth technology' which the other older jets completely lack.  

Three months ago an Israeli F-16 was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles (dozens were launched). Flying an F-35 the crew would have had a much better chance to evaded the SAMs.

With 27 SAMs in the air and worse manoeuvreability it’s likely an F35 would equally have been hit.

Eloise posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

The key word is 'stealth technology' which the other older jets completely lack.  

Three months ago an Israeli F-16 was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles (dozens were launched). Flying an F-35 the crew would have had a much better chance to evaded the SAMs.

With 27 SAMs in the air and worse manoeuvreability it’s likely an F35 would equally have been hit.

I don't think so, read please:

https://defense-update.com/201...th.html#.VYisUsIw8dU

Haim Ronen posted:

Eloise posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

The key word is 'stealth technology' which the other older jets completely lack.  

Three months ago an Israeli F-16 was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles (dozens were launched). Flying an F-35 the crew would have had a much better chance to evaded the SAMs.

With 27 SAMs in the air and worse manoeuvreability it’s likely an F35 would equally have been hit.

I don't think so, read please:

https://defense-update.com/201...th.html#.VYisUsIw8dU

Interesting article.  If the manufacturers are to believed, the Syrian air-defence wouldn't have known the F35 was there and, even if they did, they wouldn't have been able to target it. Impressive.   

German air force in dire straits, quite embarrassing:

https://www.reuters.com/articl...-staff-idUSKBN1JN318

https://www.thelocal.de/201805...ofighter-jets-report