The Future of the F-35 Italy cuts back

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

the F35s at Eglin have finally been cleared to fly

http://defensetech.org/2012/02/28/eglin-f-35as-cleared-for-flight/

does anyone remember this level of scrutiny for the F16 or F18 as it went through its initial development and production?

I don't even remember this level of scrutiny for the Longbow Apaches...

I'm not up on the politics or testing procedures so I can only speculate - perhaps no other plane has ever cost so much? Or maybe the tech is so bleeding edge we need to triple check it?

I will add my speculation based on the idea that modern, twitchy, maneuverable aircraft are unstable in flight with the computers moving the control surfaces to keep it from becoming a boomerang.


Therefore they must check for bugs like never before.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I was thinking more like Superhornet as the transition would probably be smoother given our current "installed base" (if you will) of Hornets

2nd that!

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I like the idea of a longer-range air superiority fighter.  We have a long-range nation.

To my little mind the F35 has only 1 real advantage. That is for strike missions into other countries against heavy air defences. Is that a Canadian mission in support of NATO or UN mandates? I would think missiles would do it better, cheaper, safer.


For Canadian defence the F35 is a gold plated turkey.

[MIGMaster]

And the saga continues:

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/f-35-program-to-get-overhaul-after-scathing-ag-report

[Shelldrake]

It is looking more and more like Ottawa will back off on the F-35 purchase.

[Windigo]

It is looking more and more like Ottawa will back off on the F-35 purchase.

Our airspace is too big to buy fewer and fewer of the more expensive toys. And being able to perform up in the arctic is not a nice to have.

[MIGMaster]

This paper provides some really good background info on the F-35 program:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL30563.pdf

[MIGMaster]

Fun little follow-on to the whole F-35 affair - One thing is for sure the F-35 is defintely getting some attention now  ;)

http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/81118-f-35-fiasco-no-lipstick-helps-pig

[Windigo]

OK... so what are the contenders?

Follow India's lead?

[Centurion40]

OK... so what are the contenders?

Follow India's lead?

SU-30MKI's??!!



and Mirage's??!!

[Centurion40]

Fun little follow-on to the whole F-35 affair - One thing is for sure the F-35 is defintely getting some attention now  ;)

http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/81118-f-35-fiasco-no-lipstick-helps-pig

Great headline!

F-35 fiasco: No lipstick helps this pig

[MIGMaster]

I think we should be looking at something already in service - if the F-22 is not obtainable then there is the Rafale, the EF 2000, Gripen, Super Hornet, F-15 SE (Silent Eagle) - I think these are all considered 4.5 or 5th generation fighters.

[Windigo]

I think we should be looking at something already in service - if the F-22 is not obtainable then there is the Rafale, the EF 2000, Gripen, Super Hornet, F-15 SE (Silent Eagle) - I think these are all considered 4.5 or 5th generation fighters.

But which one???????????????????????????????

Details my friend (so we can at least mock you in the choice you made a little)

[Centurion40]

I think that the choice be made according to which one looks the coolest at an airshow.

[Windigo]

I think that the choice be made according to which one looks the coolest at an airshow.

absolutely..... the Ruski planes are contenders too then