Re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread
I would respectfully disagree with that . Decision witch plane to buy is primarily political one . In case of Canada , for all practical purposes they are restricted to American aircraft , and Canadian airforce is more or less extension of USAF .Therefore Canada will always go along with US plans in this matter .
Canada is not finished with its decision process yet. They may or may not add super hornets to their mix.
They will definitley, IMHO, order some F-35s. We will see how many that is.
Of course Canada is sitting in the military shadow of the US. They are also a very close US ally. it is completely understandable that they would take advantage of those two things to help outfit their military.
And sadly, what we have in US is deliberate and concentrated effort to remove any competition for F-35 . First we had closing down of F-22 production lines in 2009 . Then sabotage of Silent Eagle , with backroom deals and pressure on South Korea and Japan . Finally, looks like Super Hornet is going to get axed, with no more US or foreign orders they too would have to close production lines (decision to be made next year) .
Of course the US, both its manufacturers and the government will seek to maximize the reach of their products. To expect anything but that would be completely unrealistic.
Howerver, nations get to choose. While Canada is right next door and a close ally, the same cannot be said for all nations.
Yes the UK and Japan for exmample of very close allies to the US...but the UK is also operating the Typhoon, and they developed the Harrier which the US uses to this day. To say or imply that these nations are simply being led around like a cow witrh a ring in their nose is simply not so. They will do what they feel is best for their national interests, and of course that includes both military and political components.
Japan is seriously looking at their ATD-X program. it is a long shot, but with the decision to move into the military export market, it does have an outside chance if other nations express interest.
If Canada had ordered Super Hornets, even as little as 20, that would kept Super Hornet option open for US .
I agree...and that will be Canada's decision. other nations can also look at that option. As I said...it is a very decent option, particularly with the Advanced Super Hornet development.
Some saner heads would have a chance to reconsider enormous cost and unfulfilled promises of F-35 program . And F-35 lobbyists could not allow that - I bet that Canadians got gentle nudge in right direction
, so it looks like by the beginning of 2016 F-35 will be one and only option on the table, for better or worse.
I believe you underestimate the F-35. Many people only want to try and naysay and downplay the program.
But whenever you bring to the table the types of technological advancements that the F-35 is bringing...you are going to have issues. In addition, while I know that the decision to make three airplaens out of a single design (as much as they could anyway) required compromises...the fact that they are going to do it, and end up (at least IMHO) with a 5th generation stealth aircraft that will be the basis for the US Air Force, the US Navy, and the US Marines...is something that will prove out extremely beneficial over the daces to come. This is despite the fact that the decision to go that route also costs money in the R&D, invariably introduces issues (as we have seen), and invites opposition upfront.
10-15 years form now, the F-35 is going to be considered a VERY successful program, and will have produced VERY capable aircraft for many nations.
Planners an military personnel in command positions see this...and believe it. The decisions are not entirely political as you emply...they are also based on what that future holds for these nations militailyTime will tell.
