As drones rise, a manned fighter falls (F-35 program and cost overruns, versus UAVs)

[FarCenter]

SYDNEY - The world's biggest international defense project, the United States-designed F-35 strike-fighter aircraft, was put on probation by international partners at a formal meeting held this month in Sydney, Australia.

Responding to the latest in a series of cost increases and delivery delays, representatives from the Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and the United Kingdom have all threatened to pull out of the project unless the Pentagon and lead private contractor Lockheed Martin can deliver the fighter plane more quickly and cheaply.

The trouble started on February 13 when the US Department of Defense's Comptroller released detailed projections of future Pentagon spending which revealed cuts in planned US purchases of the F-35 fighter as well as related cost increases in the fiscal period spanning 2013- 17.

The 2012 price of the US Air Force version of the F-35 aircraft is almost US$197 million, three times the plane's original projected cost. By postponing the ramp up to mass production, the Pentagon in effect confirmed that the F-35 will not be available in the near-term at a cost allies are willing to pay.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/NC28Dj03.html

[msongs]

1. 3 times the original cost = government + war parasites screwing us all every chance they get nt

[TheWraith]

2. Here's hoping that the F-35 gets tossed.

It was always a not-very-good compromise between ineffective stealth, just bad enough to be exported, and dubious mission capabilities.

[dutchcanuck]

3. F35 is the worst fighter ever.

Last edited Wed Dec 12, 2012, 10:46 AM - Edit history (3)

I would like you to look at the following blog put out by Australians very knowledgeable about fighters.
http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-NOTAM-191010-1.html
Scroll down to F 35 JSF Can it meet Canada's needs.
Suggest you read the many articles.
Lacks range only 600miles. ( Our country is 5000 miles long and 4000miles wide. Duh!!!
Single engine flame outs in cold weather. Canada Hornets had also 200 bird strikes . All jets returned safely due to having a second engine.
Short wing size has multiple problems
Can not carry heavy loads,
Needs a longer runway to enable it to land at high speed (Yes just like the Starfighter coffin)
Less than 1 mach speed unless it turns on the gas gussling afterburners.
Very poor maneuverability due to small wing size
Overweight
Small weapons load (space and small wing size
Radar short range
It IS NOT STEALTH . The exhaust nozzles are exposed thus weak link negates all.Stealth is really a non issue today because modern Russian and Chinese radar with the variable band width will pick it up in one second and will have it destroyed in 5 seconds
Russian Sukoi 35 and 37 and the supercruiser T50 will blow us away. The Chinese version is in testing.
T50 is a true stealth supercruiser. meaning it can go to mach 1.8 without use of afterburners and achieve altitude of 55000.
In conclusion I would rather be in the F18 Super Hornet in production right now for the Ausies and US Navy than an F35.
Please read the many analysis given including weaponry, radar.

[hrmjustin]

4. Welcome to DU!