Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Not really, and this is the problem with this country. Let's try to think further than 5 minutes into the future.
Sure, March 1, 2013 manned aircraft are superior.
We aren't at war right now.
The F15 is doing a fine job right now.
The nature of war itself is changing.
Technology is changing the way in which the U.S. wages war.
Logically and cost effectively, the combination of F15s and putting money into further developing drones is the right way to go.
Or you can blow our tax dollars on a plane that will be obsolete. Sure, they're really cool, imagining all the dogfights they'll be in, shooting down our enemies. That's awesome! So much better than a guy sitting in a room in Virginia with a control board and some joysticks. Certainly worth the expense for a plane we don't need. You will be entertained!
Who is the enemy they are designed for, and when?
Wasting tax dollars is fun, isn't it.
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Do you believe that a fully unmanned air power is the proper way to go? I am unaware of any unmanned vehicles currently providing close air support. Fighting wars from a video console sounds like the perfect method, but there is no substitute for boots on the ground. And when there are people on the ground, sooner or later they will need air support.
With that being said, F-15s, F-16s, F-18s, A-10s and the rest cannot fly forever. As far as F-15s doing a "fine job," it wasn't THAT long ago that their wings were cracking/failing in flight. They will need to be replaced at some point in the future, and combat airframes can't be slapped together in nine months like the olden days.
If we are going to talk obsolescence, you could argue that everything in the military inventory is obsolete from the second it is fielded due to the gestation period of that product and the rapid advance in technology. What are you comparing the F-35 against when you call it obsolete?
Now with that being said, I do find the cost of the program appalling. I believe the fact that they made this one airframe be the ultimate "jack of all trades" has led to this grotesque cost, but unfortunately it is too late now. The best we can do is minimize the damage and learn from the mistakes.