[paraclete]

Over budget and overdue the F35 program needs to be very closely looked at. This is not the first time the building of military aircraft has suffered setbacks, but, this isn't just some local program that if fails will be inconvenient. This is a joint project for an arms platform for a number of allied nations so it isn't just the security of the US at stake and bull and blunder just isn't good enough

Pentagon grounds F-35 fleet after runway fire - CNN.com

If you examine the specifications on this aircraft you find something that is expected to be all things to all people and not up to stratch when measured against the possible opposition. It will be outgunned, out ranged and out paced and over priced so the question becomes why? and why build it? Well, because there isn't anything else just now? compromise and shortsightedness has seen to that

[tomder55]

I think the F35 is a pig that should never had made it off of the concept blue prints.

[paraclete]

Yes but where do we go from here

[tomder55]

it's impossible to make it a one size fits all .The needs of the Navy and Air Force are different and not compatible(range, weight and payload ).

It is a pork loaded project that should be scrapped now or yesterday. It is wasting too much of the Pentagon budget ,and I'm sure it's true for all of the suckers Lockheed Martin has sold it too.

[paraclete]

It's a flying brick, and I guess that herein, Tom, I represent one of those suckers you refer too. I'm wondering will the Chinese provide a superior aircraft in a better deal?

[tomder55]

I'm wondering will theChinese provide a superior aircraft in a better deal?

not in our lifetime.

[paraclete]

That depends on how long you live, some people are capable of making rapid advances while others depend on technology they invented fifty years ago

[paraclete]

I just thought I would ask for comments on the latest despot to emerge in the Arab world - al baghdadi or big daddy or whatever he calls himself

http://www.smh.com.au/world/isils-le...706-zsxv7.html

obviously a man of many names but apparently he was radicalised by being imprisoned by the americans but a PHD no less, not often these movements are led by an educated man, which means he could be very dangerous

[tomder55]

That depends on how long you live, some people are capable of making rapid advances while others depend on technology they invented fifty years ago

The only Chinese advances have been what they have stolen (or were given in exchange for campaign contributions by Bubba ) .

[talaniman]

Speaking of old junk

Iran transfers 88 Russian Sukhoi fighter planes to Iraq - Iraqi News

I guess any plane is junk without good pilots.

[tomder55]

probably the jets that fled to Iran at the outset of Desert Storm. The SU-25 has survived the test of time . As noted ,a competent pilot has to command it .

[paraclete]

yes Tom you don't have to look far to confirm that

Iran transfers 88 Russian Sukhoi fighter planes to Iraq - Iraqi News

Russia is probably up to provide training since the trained pilots are probably on the sunni side

[cdad]

All I can say is ... Good Luck with that !!!!

The planes are near identical to the ones their enemies use. I wonder how quickly they will see the difference.

URGENT Video: Iran sends Iraq more Sukhoi SU-25 jets - Iraqi News

[paraclete]

which enemies are those Tom, Iran or Syria? Al Qaeda?

[cdad]

Iran and Iraq will have nearly identical airplanes with the same frames. It is going to make choosing one over the other much harder then before when using SAM's.

[paraclete]

so stay out of each others air space. dad maybe you are concerned that Iran will invade, I expect a plot that those planes will self destruct on that day

[tomder55]

I think there will be Iranian pilots with Russians on the ground doing logistics .

[tomder55]

Iran and Iraq will have nearly identical airplanes with the same frames. It is going to make choosing one over the other much harder then before when using SAM's.

Sorta like the F-35 being sold on the global market as a one size fits, all all purpose fighter jet.

[smoothy]

What's that old saying... "Jack of all trades, but master of none..."?

[paraclete]

yep that's the F35 air power on the cheap or as it turns out expensive