F-35 Can't Fly on Warm Fuel

[Nefaro]

Cue Star to tell us it's supposed to be a purely BVR fighter  ::)

There have historically been problems with engaging BVR.  ROE, positive visual ID requirements, etc, causing BVR & low-RCS advantages to be nullified to varying extent and resulting in close-range engagement.

If we were gonna just gonna have some multi-role bomb truck like this, we could've saved a huge amount of money, time, and effort by producing more (updated) F-16s.  The same 'ole reliable kind that ate the F-35's breakfast & lunch, prompting these reports.   Should've continue creating F-22s for the air superiority role.

The biggest problem with the F-35 program is that it's attempting to be everything to everyone.  Carrier do-it-all, VTOL for Marines.. many countries wanting their own details.  It was a damn buggy cost overrun mess before they started coming off the lines.

[mirth]

Don't talk all sensible ;)

[GDS_Starfury]

Im still somewhat surprised they put a gun on it.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

After God knows how many hours of Falcon 3 plus lesser of 4, I still love the F16. Why couldn't they have morphed that design into some squarehead looking stealth plane at low cost?

[Staggerwing]

Stop making sense.

[Nefaro]

After God knows how many hours of Falcon 3 plus lesser of 4, I still love the F16. Why couldn't they have morphed that design into some squarehead looking stealth plane at low cost?

Since the F-35 will primarily be for ground attack (for the USAF at least), the low RCS stealth won't be worth much of a damn when it's toting a bombload anyway.  That's why I've been  ::)

[Staggerwing]

Why, oh why can't we have nice things?

[OJsDad]

Could have built and maintained a bunch of A-10's for the cost of a single squadron on F-35's.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

After God knows how many hours of Falcon 3 plus lesser of 4, I still love the F16. Why couldn't they have morphed that design into some squarehead looking stealth plane at low cost?

Since the F-35 will primarily be for ground attack (for the USAF at least), the low RCS stealth won't be worth much of a damn when it's toting a bombload anyway.  That's why I've been  ::)

That part is ok. In my simulated missions I always got jumped returning home, when i was low on fuel. Low rcs is good there.

If you need low rcs going in, you need a real bomber, or cruise missiles.

For regular bit of everything in low threat (cleaned) areas, why do you need such an expensive plane?

[Nefaro]

After God knows how many hours of Falcon 3 plus lesser of 4, I still love the F16. Why couldn't they have morphed that design into some squarehead looking stealth plane at low cost?

Since the F-35 will primarily be for ground attack (for the USAF at least), the low RCS stealth won't be worth much of a damn when it's toting a bombload anyway.  That's why I've been  ::)

That part is ok. In my simulated missions I always got jumped returning home, when i was low on fuel. Low rcs is good there.

If you need low rcs going in, you need a real bomber, or cruise missiles.

For regular bit of everything in low threat (cleaned) areas, why do you need such an expensive plane?

For mostly moving mud, they probably should've just invested in proper stealth bombers with sizable internal bays, to retain stealth en route, and built more F-22s for air superiority. 

I wonder if a newer derivative of a smaller B-1, or a larger F-117, would've been cheaper and more reliable as a whole.  Then let the Navy look for their own custom tailored next gen multi-role aircraft that doesn't have to be everything for everyone.

[MIGMaster]

I wonder if the F-35 will be the US version of the Avro arrow or TSR-2 - a great idea that went sideways from a technical and financial perspective.

Regardless - I think Canada should be looking at the Super Hornet or cheaper alternative - we're not going to be able to afford to purchase and operate the 3 the budget will allow for ;-)

[GDS_Starfury]

After God knows how many hours of Falcon 3 plus lesser of 4, I still love the F16. Why couldn't they have morphed that design into some squarehead looking stealth plane at low cost?

you mean like this:

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Which variant is that? The fuselage looks round from that angle.

[mirth]

F-16 XL

[Staggerwing]

F-16 XL

AKA the 'Cranked Arrow'.