U.S. Joint Strike Fighter Behind Schedule
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U.S. Joint Strike Fighter Behind Schedule, Costs Swelling: Report
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2625520&C=america
Costs for the Joint Strike Fighter, a new generation of attack aircraft for the U.S. armed forces and its allies, have swollen 12 percent per aircraft, according to a U.S. government report March 15.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also said the program for the U.S. Department of DefenseÂ’s target to acquire 2,400 JSF jets by 2027 is well behind schedule and should be slowed to avoid rushing through flight testing and other development processes.
”Total JSF program acquisition costs (through 2027) have increased by 31.6 billion dollars,” the GAO said, meaning a 12 percent cost hike per aircraft from 2004 estimates.
The JSF program proposes to replace several different earlier-generation aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps with the new Lockheed Martin-produced X-35.
GAO noted the program has experienced delays in starting the flight test program, delivery of the first development aircraft, and the testing of critical missions systems.
”Despite these delays, the program still plans to complete development in 2013, compressing the amount of time available for flight testing and development activities.”
GAO proposed limiting production targets to only 24 X-35s per year “until each variant’s basic flying qualities have been demonstrated in flight testing.”
But it noted that the Defense Department opposes adjusting the current schedule.
Besides the orders for the U.S. militaryÂ’s own needs, some 2,000-3,000 JSFs have been tentatively ordered by other countries.
Nations taking part in the JSF program include Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Turkey, Denmark, Norway, and Australia.
Related link:
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2625520&C=america
So the question now is....is RSAF still interested in the F-35? -
I only against its swelling price!
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I'm against its small payload. YGBSM.
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No problem, u can increase your payload, put a couple of AIM-9x externally and light up enemyÂ’s radar screen.
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thank GOD we are getting our F-15SG next year... F-35? sure... lets give them another 10 years.
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this plane will turn into the biggest lemon in the history of military aviation ....
who knows ... we may be looking at super flankers next .... -
i wish it becomes a lemon.. then US would be forced to sell their F-22 at reasonable price.. otherwise.. they gonna loose lots of customers, friends, allies and influence.
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I think the F-22 is going to become a lemon quickly too ...Originally posted by tripwire:i wish it becomes a lemon.. then US would be forced to sell their F-22 at reasonable price.. otherwise.. they gonna loose lots of customers, friends, allies and influence.
the US military-industrial complex has become fat and complacent after decades of monopoly and consolidation ... it's going the way of detroit ... -
Well tat mean e F-16 will have 2 serve for many many more years, tat means more of our F-16 might be upgraded 2 BLK52+ standards
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too bad there aren't any toyota, honda, nissan out there to compete with them
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there are .... in this case the russians, the chinese, even the swedes and the french .... just that they are not quite there yet ... they are more like at the hyundai, kia, and maybe even cherry stage right now ....Originally posted by justcooler:too bad there aren't any toyota, honda, nissan out there to compete with them
but when a "ford" or "GM" costs $80 to $100 million a pop ... poorer countries will suddenly find the flankers and J-10s a lost more attractive ... and fark the politics ....
maybe in another generation or so the only chaps still flying US planes would be those politically hamstrung ones, like the israelis ... -
kinda expected so no surprise for me.....
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Have always felt its not good to put all our eggs in one basket. Maybe its time we got one type of non US fighter. The F-16 & F-15 can remain but get one non US lah. Maybe replace the F5 with a non US jet?
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It just boils down to poor project management. The US Govt has been talking about tightening the management procedures for a while.
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Well, it's worth looking at the new Gripens.
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Well, I'd think the French Rafale is still worth looking at. But European fighter development is kind of stagnant because of politics and dwindling European defence budgets.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Well, it's worth looking at the new Gripens. -
Rafale is gd but its radar is crap unless we gets e F3 standard its not worth it.
Gripen is an excellent aircraft but lack accerlation & e HUD tends 2 give off a greenish tint revealing it position.
But i had 2 say both & e tyhoon r easily 1 of e most beautiful fighter designs
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The Typhoon would have been a good fit, but it is currently beset by politics as many countries can't quite agree on what next for it. There is a plan but costs is an issue, and thus a political one.Originally posted by spartan6:Rafale is gd but its radar is crap unless we gets e F3 standard its not worth it.
Gripen is an excellent aircraft but lack accerlation & e HUD tends 2 give off a greenish tint revealing it position.
But i had 2 say both & e tyhoon r easily 1 of e most beautiful fighter designs -
Ya lo
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I'm no air force expert, but is there anything from stopping us from getting Russian? Besides Uncle Sam that is. I mean I understand the SU-30 and SU-35 are pretty decent & not insanely expensive. How about replacing the F5 with it? Doesn't have to be a 1 for 1 replacement.
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I would think that Russian jets would give us a lot of Logistic, maintenance, training, and familiarity issues.
We'd need to re-design the avionics and customized it either based on the MKI, or from scratch. Our techs have no experience with AL-31F or any russian engines, and would lack familiarity with other technical issues that make up the jet. -
Cos MY & INDO already have SU-30 + reliability of spare, different weapons