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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| US set to sell F-35s to Israel |
| 2008-10-01 |
| The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved the sale of 25 F-35 fighter jets to Israel with an option for another 50. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Too complicated by half. the next rendition of a 'one size fits most' aircraft. Thought we learned that lesson with LawnDart v. 1.0 and 2.0. while the composites and stealth parts are really groovy, I think the added burden of the lift fan for the STOL/VTOL versions are going to prove a maintenance nightmare in the forward operating areas. The weight penalty imposed by that equipment eats into payload; the only good part is that the airframe doesn't need the strengthening necessary for cat shots ( for the USN version) More F22s would have been preferable and then plow the JSF bucks into UAVs. THe USAF has been mossasses-like in recognizing the value of the UAV ( don't want to give up their ascots) Meanwhile tanking and cargo capacity is declining. C5s and C-141s being grounded / restricted due to airframe problems, only (finally) funded a few more (5 i think) C-17s. Next up is Bomber 2018, aka B-3. That aircraft willl impinge on cargo and CSAR Helo funds. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2008-10-01 14:38 |
| #1 Question: For those that know about this aircraft, what is your opinion of the F-35? |
| Posted by: return of LHR 2008-10-01 02:17 |