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Home Front: WoT
Entire U.S. Stealth Fighter Fleet Grounded
2011-08-12
In past few decades, the U.S. Air Force has spent untold billions researching and developing a family of stealth fighter jets that are supposed to be generations ahead of any dogfighters in the sky.

But after building more than 170 F-22 Raptors and a handful of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, not a single one is available for service. The Air Force currently has zero flyable stealth fighters. None.
In a normal world a number of generals would be 'retired' for a screw-up like this.
The vaunted F-22 has been grounded with a possible faulty oxygen system since May. Production of the last few Raptors is even on hold, because the jets canÂ’t fly from the factory.

Last week, test flights for the newer F-35 were suspended, too, because of a valve problem in the planeÂ’s integrated power package. ItÂ’s the third time this year that JSFs have been forbidden to fly. Ground tests have resumed, and flight tests may resume as early as next week. Then again, they may not.

Yesterday, the U.S. military committed to spending another $535 million to buy 38 more Joint Strike Fighters — a family of stealth jets that are supposed to become the multipurpose, affordable workhorses of tomorrow’s fleet. Ninety percent of America’s combat aviation power is eventually supposed to come from the jets’ three variants.

But the jets have been anything but cheap. The current cost for the JSF program is $382 billion and rising for more than 2,400 aircraft. No wonder just about every major deficit reduction plan scales back the JSF effort in some way.

For now, every available penny in the JSF program is tied up in getting the jets back into the air and their programs on track.
Looks like we'd better hang onto our F15s, 16s and 18s for a while.
Posted by:Steve White

#8  This reminds me of Arthur Clarke's story Superiority.
Posted by: James   2011-08-12 18:42  

#7  Thanks Snowy.

Yes, that triggers my memory. I certainly am no fan of GE at all. They are the most corrupt political corporation there is behind Goldman Sachs.
I am glad they cancelled the engine.

I wish I had time to find all the articles in my archive.
Posted by: newc   2011-08-12 12:52  

#6  
The F-22 is probably better than that F-35 by far. I read that the F-35 only delivers 40% of what was promised. Is that true?

Ever since the F-22 line was closed and the F-35 became "IT" we've been subject to a never-ending deluge of information about how horrible the F-35 is. For all I know some of this may even be slightly true.

And maybe it's the F-35 advocates who are standing in the way of the contractors whipping up a better plane for a measly couple billion dollars and six months of development once we cancel this as-horrible-as-an-F111 lemon.

------------------------------

People forget that the F-111 went on to serve for twenty years as a hell of a penetration strike aircraft and then was only retired because we decided to throw away half the air force in the 90's.

At the moment cancelling the F-35 would basically mean cancelling the recapitalization for the half of the air force we have left.

I have no idea where the "40%" figure comes from. I think someone pulled it out of their nether regions somewhere along the line.

The whole replacement engine thing was that GE was upset about losing the contract for the engine, and wanted Congress to buy their engine anyway. If they can't get that they'll see if they can cancel the plane instead, they live in a fantasy world where they think they'll actually GET the funding put in for their stealth version of the F-18Z (which will be built by Boeing but have GE engines).

(I remember when the F-18 follow-ons were the lemon. Hell, as far as I can tell, they still are, we just have diminished expectations).

I guess actually putting engines as good as the ones they say they can put in the F-18Z into the everyone-knows-they're-underpowered but they decided to live with it anyway F-18E/F/G _today_ somehow is beneath their dignity or something.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2011-08-12 12:21  

#5  I was very much a skeptic of the V-22 OSPREY program too but it has become a real lifesaver now. It took far more cash than it should have but as it turns out it has become a priceless gem in our wars.

The F-22 is probably better than that F-35 by far. I read that the F-35 only delivers 40% of what was promised. Is that true?

And what is with these replacement engines for the F-35?
Posted by: newc   2011-08-12 10:14  

#4  "because of a valve problem" Kojack just an upgrade you are correct. I'd bet it's related to oxygen concentrator valve switching from one cylinder to another to give continuous flow of oxygen. Some possible electrical issues related to switching process. Valve problem tells me one unit fills as another empties. They should have a warning indicator should oxygen percentage output drops to prevent pilot issues. We have available 21% normally. Back back in the day it was around 35%. That's why (one reason) I believe dinosaurs may have got so big.
Posted by: Dale   2011-08-12 07:06  

#3  It's long past time to just do X-45 & X-47 types for fighter bombers. Keep A-10s for close support until robotizing them too.
Posted by: Water Modem   2011-08-12 02:23  

#2  Not a problem. It can be solved and this is why western technology is far superior to many others attempts.
Posted by: Kojack   2011-08-12 01:56  

#1  Looks like we'd better hang onto our F15s, 16s and 18s for a while.

I know where we can get a bunch of Intruders. But you have to scrub the salt water stains off.
Posted by: SteveS   2011-08-12 00:09  

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