F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - Brit's to bail out?

[kach22i]

http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007838.php#more

Senior Ministry of Defence officials have confirmed to The Sunday Times of London that Britain is considering its options and contemplating a pullout from the multinational, multi-billion dollar F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program (JSF). It's a 10-nation program: USA, Britain, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey); but Britain is the program's only Tier One partner with the USA. They've invested about $2B to develop the F-35B STOVL version that was intended to fly from Britain's future Queen Elizabeth Class carriers - and will also form the future backbone of US Marine Corps aviation.

Do we need the UK?

[Seahawk]

My wife was a charter member of JSF (she did all of the avionics work during source selection).
It is a boondoggle. Who in gods name are we fighting? I have posted in other threads my thoughts on the need for anti-submarine warfare...but JSF, F-22 and any other super planes are folly.
We are just like the German building Tiger tanks...great tank, but...

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Seahawk
My wife was a charter member of JSF (she did all of the avionics work during source selection).
It is a boondoggle. Who in gods name are we fighting? I have posted in other threads my thoughts on the need for anti-submarine warfare...but JSF, F-22 and any other super planes are folly.
We are just like the German building Tiger tanks...great tank, but...

Except for the ASW part, you are absolutely right. ASW done for defense of America should be passive intercept devices.

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by fastpat
Except for the ASW part, you are absolutely right. ASW done for defense of America should be passive intercept devices.

Except for the ASW part, you are right...passive intercept devices no longer work.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Seahawk
My wife was a charter member of JSF (she did all of the avionics work during source selection).
It is a boondoggle. Who in gods name are we fighting? I have posted in other threads my thoughts on the need for anti-submarine warfare...but JSF, F-22 and any other super planes are folly.
We are just like the German building Tiger tanks...great tank, but...

We will alway need something to say we are top dog, even if we don't have to use it - a political thing.

The JSF allows smaller quicker forces/deployments closer to the action. This is something we will need more of in the future.

Don't forget the A-10 Warthog has stayed in service longer than many wanted or thought. There are many reasons for this, being able to hang out over the action longer than the typical "hit and run" is only one reason.

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by kach22i
We will alway need something to say we are top dog, even if we don't have to use it - a political thing.

The JSF allows smaller quicker forces/deployments closer to the action. This is something we will need more of in the future.

Don't forget the A-10 Warthog has stayed in service longer than many wanted or thought. There are many reasons for this, being able to hang out over the action longer than the typical "hit and run" is only one reason.

A couple of points. The Harrier is rarely used as was intented, "close to the action", i.e off unprepared surfaces. The reasons are many, but mostly because of maintenance and the infrastructure involved...to include weapons loading, etc. This will not change with the STOVAL version of the JSF.

Secondly, we are still building brand new F-15, F-18's, F-22's, etc., all of which are incredible, multi-role aircraft. What most folks don't realize is the fact that accurate, stand-off weapons (air and ground) are a reality and for most missions these aircraft don't go, "downtown".

The key to any discussion concerning JSF is stealth...which the F-22 is. I simple don't think we need yet another multi-billion dollar aircraft program. And remember, the Navy is also looking at an unmmaned, armed bomber as well!

I could go on and on: my hope was that the recent Quadrennial Defense Review would put some reality back into the acquisition of multiple aircraft programs essentially performing the same mission. Oh, well.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Seahawk
Secondly, we are still building brand new F-15, F-18's, F-22's,

I think South Korea and Japan are making their own F-15's and F-18's now.....................just a mater of time before we stop making manned interceptors here at all.

Where is the national security in that?

Sometimes it's a matter of doing it because we can, can't take the politics out of having the biggest baddest stick in the world.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Seahawk
A couple of points. The Harrier is rarely used as was intented, "close to the action", i.e off unprepared surfaces.

And neither is the Sweedish stuff. I mean they don't take off of roads, but can incase the Russians ever decide to take them out.

Always good to keep your options open.

You don't get into a fight thinking you will scratch someones eyes out, or kick them in the balls, but knowing you can and will if pushed too far makes you less of a target to the bullies.

[IROC]

Originally posted by kach22i
I think South Korea and Japan are making their own F-15's and F-18's now.....................just a mater of time before we stop making manned interceptors here at all.

Where is the national security in that?

I don't think this is true. We are selling F-15s to other countries, but we're still making them. As a Boeing employee, I would love it if we just kept on making F-15s and F/A-18s. And C-17s for that matter. :>)

Gotta love those old McDonnell Douglas planes!

Mike

[kach22i]

Originally posted by IROC
I don't think this is true. We are selling F-15s to other countries, but we're still making them. As a Boeing employee, I would love it if we just kept on making F-15s and F/A-18s. And C-17s for that matter. :>)

Gotta love those old McDonnell Douglas planes!

Mike

I did a quick search and only found a US/Japan joint venture on a F-1 to F-2 contract with Japan.

I know I read somewhere that Japan and perhaps S. Korea were to make the F-15 E or K or something like that. This was to squeeze out the French and address the long term North Korean threat at the same time.