RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,184500,00.html
I`d like to see and to know more about this aircraft F-35 .

NKAWTG, yet we're still refueling with the same old tired, antique tanker.

This jet had been in the works long before the thought of a new tanker. The actual JSF development contract was signed on 16 November 1996. Dont worry im sure we will spend the money on a new one. We are going to keep lockeed and boeing in business a very long time.

How dumb can it be to go back to a single engine jet military aircraft? Can someone please explain to me the logical motivation for this besides money? Which if that is a reason, is even a more dumber decision.

I hope this gets past President Obama's DOD cuts. We need this type technology inn our air power

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Originally posted by 17095547:
I hope this gets past President Obama's DOD cuts. We need this type technology inn our air power

The Electronics yes, but not a single engine aircraft. We steered away from those years ago because of safety reasons now they are going back to them? Makes no since.

mercy, F35, jack of all things, master of none?
Hope this is not another f-111 poopster.

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Originally posted by crackerjacks61:

quote:

Originally posted by 17095547:
I hope this gets past President Obama's DOD cuts. We need this type technology inn our air power

The Electronics yes, but not a single engine aircraft. We steered away from those years ago because of safety reasons now they are going back to them? Makes no since.

The F-16 is a single engine fighter and it is still in production and in use all over the world. It has also been the workhorse for the USAF.

The JSF is about the only thing the USAF has done right in recent years.

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Originally posted by AFRet91:
mercy, F35, jack of all things, master of none?
Hope this is not another f-111 poopster.

Im afraid you are right. This aircraft is over 4 years behind schedule, is twice its original cost projections and is not near as stealthy as it was claimed to be. It only performs marginally better than the F-16 block 50 and has nowhere near the payload capacity.
Still over a year away from having an operational squadron and the Russian S-400 SAM already has its specs pre-programmed into the system to minimize the risk of missing its target. Might as well nickname the F-35 "target" right now because thats all its going to be for the enemies.

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Originally posted by FlankerFlyer:

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Originally posted by AFRet91:
mercy, F35, jack of all things, master of none?
Hope this is not another f-111 poopster.

Im afraid you are right. This aircraft is over 4 years behind schedule, is twice its original cost projections and is not near as stealthy as it was claimed to be. It only performs marginally better than the F-16 block 50 and has nowhere near the payload capacity.
Still over a year away from having an operational squadron and the Russian S-400 SAM already has its specs pre-programmed into the system to minimize the risk of missing its target. Might as well nickname the F-35 "target" right now because thats all its going to be for the enemies.

The S-400 system is a huge target, the F-35 combined with the JASSM would make short work of any S-400 batteries. The F-35 is a delivery system, the improvements in ordnance negate any enemy improvements in SAM technology.

Both Kosovo and Iraq were supposedly well defended with air defenses and the USAF vut through them like butter. The current HARMs and their replacements will keep the USAF with the edge.

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The S-400 system is a huge target, the F-35 combined with the JASSM would make short work of any S-400 batteries. The F-35 is a delivery system, the improvements in ordnance negate any enemy improvements in SAM technology.

Problem is the S-400 would hit the F-35 80+ miles before the F-35 driver even knew the SAM batteries were there. The ONLY aircraft in existence with a fighting chance is a clean F-22 which could get off 2 simultaneous shots and then sprint back out of range and to a new course. The S-400 is well ahead of the missile it replaces, the S-300PMU2 which is just now seriously being offered abroad in past 10 years and to India and China & Vietnam. Even Iran and Venezuela have only been offered the PMU1 types which is not quite as good as the latest Patriot PAC3

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Originally posted by FlankerFlyer:

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The S-400 system is a huge target, the F-35 combined with the JASSM would make short work of any S-400 batteries. The F-35 is a delivery system, the improvements in ordnance negate any enemy improvements in SAM technology.

Problem is the S-400 would hit the F-35 80+ miles before the F-35 driver even knew the SAM batteries were there. The ONLY aircraft in existence with a fighting chance is a clean F-22 which could get off 2 simultaneous shots and then sprint back out of range and to a new course. The S-400 is well ahead of the missile it replaces, the S-300PMU2 which is just now seriously being offered abroad in past 10 years and to India and China & Vietnam. Even Iran and Venezuela have only been offered the PMU1 types which is not quite as good as the latest Patriot PAC3

How would the F-35 not know the S-400 is in the area, the launcher is as big as a house and with RJs and JSTAR support it couldn't hide. It still relies in radar which shows off its position like a spotlight. The JASSM has a range over 200 miles and should be able to effectively neutralize any SAM threat.

Even current SEAD packages would be able to knock out S-400 defenses. The system is likely to be effective against forces that don't have the ECM and recon assets that US forces have available, but against the US with assets ranging from Predators to spy satellites something the size of the S-400 doesn't stand a chance.

Ground-based air defense systems have never been able to defeat air power.

I live in the Valparaiso area, and I want to say to all of my neighbors who are whining and crying about the jet noise...SHUT UP! If you don't like the sound of freedom, pack your crap up and get the hell out of here! Having to deal with jet noise and bombs going off on the ranges is just part of living here. The jets are coming, they're here to stay...GET OVER IT ALREADY, I'M TIRED OF THE WHINING!!!!

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Originally posted by Motive25:
Ground-based air defense systems have never been able to defeat air power.

Its not meant to. An effective ground based air defense system is meant to thin the numbers to prefect an advantage by the defensive interceptors of those who survive.

By using AESA radar AR and optical scanning abilities, the S-400 system takes advantage of many optional configurations and does not use a single missile and these configurations, and using 2 types of missiles(soon to be 3)it can be combined to form a layered defense. (this happens to be the forward deployment scenarios that saw an F-18 downed by Patriot among other software glitch so its not the safest environment for friendlies either)

The advantage is this system is effective against many different threats, from aircraft, to the missiles they fire as well as ballistic defense and cruise missile defense.

Contrary to what you have been led to believe, the F-35 is nowhere near the F-22s league, has an easily identifiable RCS signature and a very small effective payload.

The USAF needs to build 200 more F-22s and forget the F-35 The Navy is better off with super hornets with AESA and TVC engines. Im not even sure what the Marines think they can use it for. This should be an export only aircraft.

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Originally posted by nspreitler:

quote:

Originally posted by crackerjacks61:

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Originally posted by 17095547:
I hope this gets past President Obama's DOD cuts. We need this type technology inn our air power

The Electronics yes, but not a single engine aircraft. We steered away from those years ago because of safety reasons now they are going back to them? Makes no since.

The F-16 is a single engine fighter and it is still in production and in use all over the world. It has also been the workhorse for the USAF.

The JSF is about the only thing the USAF has done right in recent years.

Good point on the 16s. Must have just been a NAVAIR thing for carrier based squadrons then. Least that's what I always had heard. Good as long as it's not another wasted defence program. Like the Navy going to the 18s just to get rid of them and go to the Super 18s which is what they needed in the 1st place to replace the 14s and A7s.

I dont understand why we are going through with the F-35 project in the first place. Rather than this, we should be expanding the fleet of f-22 Raptors. Currently we are at approx. 120 and deffinately need more. I also dont understand why the majority of these planes in the end will be going to the Marines and Navy. I for one have never actually understood why the Marines need planes in the first place

Im in Arkansas working in ASM. Im really hoping to get into Mcdill AFB, FL
Just hoping theyll move some F-35's down there.
Seeing that its a great spot to have them at.
Mabey theyll send me there,.. just mabey

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The F-16 is a single engine fighter and it is still in production and in use all over the world. It has also been the workhorse for the USAF.

The JSF is about the only thing the USAF has done right in recent years.

The F-16 is also the undisputed leader in Class A mishaps. Thats why its called the lawn dart.

install RCS coatings on the F-16 block 60 and you have an F-35 and save 40 million a copy

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Originally posted by FlankerFlyer:

quote:

The F-16 is a single engine fighter and it is still in production and in use all over the world. It has also been the workhorse for the USAF.

The JSF is about the only thing the USAF has done right in recent years.

The F-16 is also the undisputed leader in Class A mishaps. Thats why its called the lawn dart.

install RCS coatings on the F-16 block 60 and you have an F-35 and save 40 million a copy

UAE is paying $80 million each for its Block 60s, although that also includes a lot of development costs. That the S-400 is even capable of hitting an F-35 is just a wild claim by Russia anyway and is very unlikely. Even if it could see it, it would be far too late to engage against US SEAD systems. The F-35 is just one piece of the puzzle that includes AWACS, JSTARS, RJs, and Global Hawk. The USAF has always been able to penetrate any air defense at will.