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Old 13th May 2004, 23:39
  #18 (permalink)  
Jackonicko
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Just behind the back of beyond....
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The original target dates for both aircraft are irrelevant, since the end of the Cold War allowed both programmes to be restructured and realigned. Depending on which figure you use, either aircraft could be claimed to be 'more late' than the other. Recent slippage has been broadly the same, however.

The F-22 may eventually be a great piece of kit. At the moment, however, it's royally plagued by unreliability (having only just achieved the modest MTBF goal set for it) and unserviceability, and is missing key capabilities, while the unit cost is still shooting through the roof.

All of the F-22 operators I've spoken too are extremely enthusiastic about the aircraft's potential and promise as a weapons system, but not one of them has offered any praise of the aircraft as it is today as a flying machine.

At least we agree on the JSF for Australia. It's not too late to change horses and buy a Typhoon or two, and by the time you get them, they will be a superb aircraft and weapons platform.
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