Originally posted by Low Observable:
The F-35 business case involves eliminating every other tactical aircraft except the F-22.
Exactly correct. In the business world there is such a thing as "Truth in Packaging". The essence of any investigation is to get to the "truth" of that packaging matter. That is what has been lacking throughout the entire F-35 program. Ask the right questions as Martha McSally did takes the wraps off a faulty packaging claim by the DoD.
Originally posted by Lone_Wolf: Contra Turbine D's assertion, no, there isn't an unlimited credit card account
Wrong. There are Senators and Representative from 47 of the 50 States who's industries contribute, in some form or another, to the F-35 program. These folks including the Texas contingency where it is assembled will assure all the money, whatever amount it takes, to build the F-35 no matter its lack of capability. Simply put, it is a political aircraft with an open ended budget. Forget the apple & oranges scenario, just think of your tax money being flushed down the toilet.
Originally posted by MSOCS:
Will the F-35 be a capable CAS platform? Yes, I have no personal doubt that it will! It is already performing well in the CAS environment, even with its limited number of cleared weapons.
The F-111 was advertised as the phenomenal complete package as well. Was it? I didn't realize the F-35 had been deployed to a war zone, demonstrating real time CAS. When did that happen? IOC is scheduled for late summer, this year or next.
