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originally posted by: C0bzz
a reply to: mbkennel
I can't exactly blame the foreign operators. Other than UK who needed the B to replace harriers
Italy will also operate the F-35B.
I can't exactly blame the foreign operators. Other than UK who needed the B to replace harriers, everybody else wanted an updated Viper for good air defense and some interdiction capability.
Do you have any evidence that this is the case at all?
The Canadian decision was by politics, my understanding was the RCAF preferred the F-35. In Australia the RAAF sticks with the F-35 claiming that it is the only aircraft that meets requirements, and in fact in many cases it leads the doctrine of the ADF.
The real problem with the F-35 is it is innately extremely complex. An extreme amount of technology is integrated together very tightly, across 3 different variants. If a part is redesigned that means regression testing must occur, across all variants to differing requirements. And often a redesigned part will require other parts to be redesigned as well. You get the picture.
That's not necessarily the fault of Lockheed, although perhaps they screwed up as well. That's the fault of the US Government for creating the JSF program that way. They seem to be stressing affordability for LRS-B and risk mitigation, so clearly they've learned from JSF.
A weird ‘metal butterfly’ which buzzed a father and son as they left a restaurant in Ohio this week is among the clearest UFO pictures ever taken.
But some UFO fans say it’s a fake - possibly created using CGI software.
Local men Tom and Christopher claim that the weird, butterfly-like craft buzzed them - then they saw two black, military helicopters following it.
If a stealthy F-16 replacement were available, they'd take that. When millions of people buy a Civic it's likely they want a better Civic, not something very different.
F-22 also has internal stores and it's fine.
What missions are the F-35 really good for? Significant bombing at fairly short range & with high tempo. That means large numbers and a major logistical base. I.e. a Soviet armored invasion of Eastern Europe scenario. What other operators really have similar needs? Poland? Maybe Israel?
I understand the point about internal stores, it's inevitable to some degree, but I have read that the accomodation of the lift fan in the structure led to significantly suboptimal aerodynamic shaping & performance in A and C variants.
In the Pacific theatre, woudln't most people prefer something with longer range & speed if it were available? More of a new F-14 type craft?