F35 and Myths

One has to wonder just exactly WHO that video is intended for: congress, pilots, or the manufacture's own engineers?

I dont have any buddies on the project so all I've heard is poor....I wonder if any of the negative is justified

Different point of view:

AAA THE F-35 IS A LEMON PIERRE SPREY (RUNAWAY FIGHTER) FIFTH ESTATE

he had no problem trashing it

I don't know where the truth lies.

But, I do know that designing a tool to perform multiple functions demands compromises in performance.

it reminds me back in the 70's when Congress wanted to be smart, they wouldn't buy fighters "or" bombers they wanted fighter bombers so the F111 was born...not good at much of anything.seems the lesson wasn't learned.

Let's for a brief moment step back in time to Nazi Germany in WWII. Der Fuhrer kept delaying the deployment of the Me-262 because he wanted it to do more than fighter/interceptor work. He wanted: CAS, attack capabilities, etc. all of which increased the cost of the project, delayed tactical deployment until the Allies had all but bombed Germany back to the stone age (a pile of bricks).

A little contrast: The F-35 carries more payload further, and a hell of a lot faster (fully loaded) than the F-18 Hornet (not taking anything away from the Hornet, it is simply put, one great airframe). The stealth capabilities, and advanced target tracking capabilities of the F-35 make it more lethal at longer stand-off from target. The projected cost of the F-35 is the first time the entire cost of a project has been projected for the entire projected lifespan until retirement, including all design, production, fuel, maintenance, and weaponry costs. The estimated cost of maintaining present fleet of F-18's and F-16's and F-22's runs ~10X the ~$840 billion over the life of the F-35.

It is reasonably safe to say that the F-35 will prove to have a great deal of value in the arena of combat, and I salute the engineers, production companies, the Marines, Navy, and Air Force of the United States of America for choosing the winner of the competition to be the "go to" aircraft of our 21st Century military. The F-35 will not be the entire spear, but it will surely be the sharp pointy end of the spear. Pity the fools that actually do attempt to paint this bird with LW radar, because they will be the first to be taken out.

<S> Over and out.

I'm not an aerodynamicist, but that thing looks just plain idiotic.

I'll bet the designers of the Maginot line, and Mark 14 torpedo had wonderful presentations for their peace time developed weapons.

What computer voice? I heard a normal voice. Maybe you need a new computer?

Forget busting (selected) myths, let's talk about busting budgets.

It's curious but the Air Force wants this high-tech fighter to replace the low-tech specialized A-10 Warthog in close air support, to combat troops on the ground. It even fought to scrap the Warthog in the belief that F-35 was all-sufficient for both the role of a fighter, and for the low-tech of close air support role.

/If I was a commander in the field, I would be very fearful in deploying (and losing) such an expensive jet in a close air support role.

Just goes to *prove* the old addage that "...money can buy ANYTHING, including STUPIDITY..."