PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
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Old 8th Aug 2013, 17:47
  #3081 (permalink)  
WhiteOvies
 
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LO,

Interesting points, although it does rather shaft the UK, which as a Level 1 Partner does not send a positive message to the rest, especially those who are already wavering.

It also shafts the Marines and Navy in a way that the USAF would probably love, but the politicos would not allow (given significant lobbying).The Marines do not want lots of shiny Rhinos, they want lots of shiny F-35s and the US Navy still see F-35 as future proofing.

A lot of people in the USN were not initially in favour of the Rhino, when comparing it against the much loved Tomcat it replaced in the Fleet Defence role. However, the wheel turns and the Rhino is now a mainstay of naval aviation.

My personal view is that whilst a slowing is likely, legacy aircraft will be sacrificed for F-35 in the US, in the same way the UK did. Elements of the USAF would love an all Stealth strike force with B-2, F-22 and F-35 operating together.
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