F-35 Cancelled, then what ?
Turbine D:
The JSF was a political beast from its inception, thanks to Goldwater-Nichols and "one size fits all" attitudes among the politicos. We agree on that. Also on the strategic acquisition decision to spread the vendor base across many constituencies.
If we go back 30 years or so to F-18 acquisition (*and Tip O'Neil's support of a controversial program ... local vendor driven) the Hornet program had its share of detractors and bile when it came out, eh? (Don't we all remember the infamous cracks in the tail?)
A pretty popular book called "Pentagon Paradox" was made possible by the donnybrook the Hornet caused. Here we are three decades later, and the Hornet is a workhorse. It didn't turn out to be the F-111, but it did not get through acquisition unscathed.
But no, we cannot seem to agree on the facts: there is not unlimited money in the DoD budget. I suggest you take a gander at "sequester" from the past year or so and recalibrate your rangefinder.
Not sure if you are still linked to/involved in things that are DoD contracts.
It may be the case now (as it was when I was last on active duty) that with the limited dollars the priority spending leans in a particular direction. (Hey, V-22 thread over on rotary forum, go have a look at the both of them!
) A decade ago JSF ate amazing piles of dough, and the current choice was just getting selected and basing was being ironed out. (Environmental Impact Statements, how I hate thee!) It still eats piles of money but it doesn't have unlimited money.
Nothing in DoD does. That's reality, not hyperbole.
Does it get "more than its fair share" is a valid question. Given my own bias, I'd say the answer is yes. I am not an objective observer given the various programs (that I cared about while still serving) getting pushed about by its programming bow wave.
The JSF was a political beast from its inception, thanks to Goldwater-Nichols and "one size fits all" attitudes among the politicos. We agree on that. Also on the strategic acquisition decision to spread the vendor base across many constituencies.
If we go back 30 years or so to F-18 acquisition (*and Tip O'Neil's support of a controversial program ... local vendor driven) the Hornet program had its share of detractors and bile when it came out, eh? (Don't we all remember the infamous cracks in the tail?)
A pretty popular book called "Pentagon Paradox" was made possible by the donnybrook the Hornet caused. Here we are three decades later, and the Hornet is a workhorse. It didn't turn out to be the F-111, but it did not get through acquisition unscathed.
But no, we cannot seem to agree on the facts: there is not unlimited money in the DoD budget. I suggest you take a gander at "sequester" from the past year or so and recalibrate your rangefinder.
Not sure if you are still linked to/involved in things that are DoD contracts. It may be the case now (as it was when I was last on active duty) that with the limited dollars the priority spending leans in a particular direction. (Hey, V-22 thread over on rotary forum, go have a look at the both of them!
) A decade ago JSF ate amazing piles of dough, and the current choice was just getting selected and basing was being ironed out. (Environmental Impact Statements, how I hate thee!) It still eats piles of money but it doesn't have unlimited money. Nothing in DoD does. That's reality, not hyperbole.
Does it get "more than its fair share" is a valid question. Given my own bias, I'd say the answer is yes. I am not an objective observer given the various programs (that I cared about while still serving) getting pushed about by its programming bow wave.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: The Great Midwest
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There isn't unlimited money, however, the DoD will have to reduce/scrap other, possibly critical, programs to support the F-35. In addition, the international portion of the program make it "to big to fail".
http://www.military.com
Congress is now weighing the purchase of more F-35 Lightning II aircraft as part of the 2016 defense budget. The Government Accountability Office warned Tuesday that it may be a risky move due to the large amount of testing still needed to be completed to field future variants. Many lawmakers are frustrated with the delays, cost overruns and technical problems but believe the 5th generation fighter jet is needed to retain American air superiority in the coming decades.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., said some critics have called for the costly development project to be scrapped. "However, we are past that decision point. We just need to make this program work," she said.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., said some critics have called for the costly development project to be scrapped. "However, we are past that decision point. We just need to make this program work," she said.
Originally Posted by Bevoandmildotcom
Many lawmakers are frustrated with the delays, cost overruns and technical problems but believe the 5th generation fighter jet is needed to retain American air superiority in the coming decades.
The placing of nearly all eggs in one basket ... more
In addition, the international portion of the program make it "to big to fail".
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, New York, Paris, Moscow.
Posts: 3,632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not being "disingenuous" Glad Rag but it's your opinion, which you're entitled to.
I think I've been quite honest as to what the limitations are in the CAS mission at the moment as well as being clear when I think it's likely to see improvement (Block 4/5) with increased weapon clearances across the US Services and International partners.
Please be specific in calling me out and I'll be only too glad to explain my reasoning to you if appropriate.
I think I've been quite honest as to what the limitations are in the CAS mission at the moment as well as being clear when I think it's likely to see improvement (Block 4/5) with increased weapon clearances across the US Services and International partners.
Please be specific in calling me out and I'll be only too glad to explain my reasoning to you if appropriate.
Attention to the details must be maintained despite a natural, but overwhelming, belief in what the mind thinks despite the evidence that is right in front of you.
Ask any FJ pilot/nav if you don't believe me.
best rgds
gr
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, New York, Paris, Moscow.
Posts: 3,632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: The Great Midwest
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force were fired by Gates, in part, because the kept asking of more F-22s. Gates wanted lower tech items for the war in Afganistan. In his far sighted view he saw no need for more F-22s. 
Air Force's top leaders are ousted - latimes
Top Air Force Officials Fired - ABC News
Gates has been critical of Air Force officials' calls to build more F-22 fighter jets, an advanced but expensive plane. He also has been frustrated over what he sees as insufficient deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles over Iraq and Afghanistan.
Loren Thompson, a defense policy analyst at the Lexington Institute in Arlington, Va., said although the "formal reason" for Moseley's and Wynne's departure was the Taiwan shipment, the forced resignations were actually the result of a growing "accumulation of grievances."
"In the end, what it came down to is the feeling of the secretary of the Defense that the Air Force just wasn't on the policy page he was on, that it was pursuing its own policies," said Thompson, who is close to Air Force officials.
Loren Thompson, a defense policy analyst at the Lexington Institute in Arlington, Va., said although the "formal reason" for Moseley's and Wynne's departure was the Taiwan shipment, the forced resignations were actually the result of a growing "accumulation of grievances."
"In the end, what it came down to is the feeling of the secretary of the Defense that the Air Force just wasn't on the policy page he was on, that it was pursuing its own policies," said Thompson, who is close to Air Force officials.
The official also pointed to statements of a top Air Force general that directly contradicted what Secretary Gates has said about spending on Air Force F-22s.
Top Air Force Officials Fired - ABC News
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: crewe
Age: 77
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
“In the America, the very time-consuming piece is going inside the ship and dropping lighting and ventilation and piping wiring and everything down far enough so you can install new material and weld it in place and then restore all that stuff,” Rear Adm. David Gale, program executive officer for ships, said during the roundtable.
About a dozen modifications are needed for the ships to house the -F-35Bs, he says.
About a dozen modifications are needed for the ships to house the -F-35Bs, he says.