F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread

[TerraN_EmpirE]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Wolf C is the CATBAR model not the STOBAR model ( that's B) for the Japanese known carrier distroyers B would be the answer. Too my knowledge Nations The US, France ( Who has the Rafael) and Brazil ( possible buyers) are the only nations that operate Catbar With the UK under development ( and slated fore F35C). in order too gain compatibility for C model the Japanese SDF would have too invest in a CATBAR carrier. Where as The STOVL variant (F35B) is not listed that does not mean that is is out of the question.

 

[Jeff Head]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

It is certainly a price they were willing to pay, but there is no indication that they think the aircraft is 'well worth it'.

...the only option was to buy the F35, at whatever the asking price (within reason of course) since that is the only realistic choice.

To me, that seems a little closer to 'over a barrel' than 'well worth the money'

I would have thought that the naval C model would have suited Japan far better than the Air Force As. What with Japan being so small and surrounded by water on all sides and all.

The US and Japan have a long standing relationship in aircraft. The Japanese made the decision...they have to face election...they clearly felt this was their best option and therefore, well worth it. If they truly felt it was not worth it, they would have worked to negotiatie a better deal and held out longer for other options to do so.

And they had other options that could have caused Lockheed to negotiate longer in the Super Hornet and Eurofighter. Clearly they came to an agreement. When an agreement such as this is reached it is because both sides feel they have gotten the best deal they could. Such a deal, particularly given agreements we are not privy to...make it worth it to them.

The Japanese are not push overs in a negotiation and if they felt the US was holding a barrell over them, they would hold their own line in said negotiations.

As to the F-35C, they have no need for the strengthened landing gear, the larger wing for lift off a CATOBAR carrier, or the arresting hook. The F-35A gives them all they need for their Air Force applications which these initial birds are for...and probably follow on orders too.

I still believe, that once the 22DDH is launched and goes through its initial trials and commissioning, that we will see orders for the "B" model too...which gives them the time to have the US go through any more growing pains, though they are making good progress now.

 

[plawolf]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Yes, I was aware of the distinction between the models.

Actually, the UK does not current have CATOBAR carriers, their new carrier has a ski-jump. It would not be that hard to add a ski-jump onto their existing ships if they really needed to. Besides, buying the C version does not rule out a future buy of the B version any more than the current A model purchase.

If they really cannot make the C model work with their existing and planned carriers, well, worse case they but some B models, just as they will probably have to do now.

In addition, the Japanese are building even bigger carriers than the ones already launched, so I can easily see them tweaking the designs to add in a cat or two to be able to take full advantage of the C model.

 

[Jeff Head]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Yes, I was aware of the distinction between the models.

Actually, the UK does not current have CATOBAR carriers

The decision was made several months ago, by the UK, to go CATOBAR and use the "C" model.

In addition, the Japanese are building even bigger carriers than the ones already launched, so I can easily see them tweaking the designs to add in a cat or two to be able to take full advantage of the C model.

The new vessels are the

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. One is under construction and a second will start, I believe in 2012. They are STOVL carriers and will not support the "C" model. They would use the "B" model.

 

[kwaigonegin]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

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[Jeff Head]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

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Also posted as the:

Lockheed Martin Press Release by TerraN_EmpirE, upthread in post #79.

 

[Schumacher]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

42 birds for $8bn? I know that there would be weapons and training and all included, but even if you allow for 20-40% of the contract to be for those, you are still looking at a unit cost in the region of around $120-160m a pop.

Well, Japan don't have much say in the matter. They're not allowed to buy non-US. Probably US didn't even allow them to buy F18/15 either as they want Japan to help subsidize F35.

 

[Schumacher]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

This brings back memory of few years ago when some Japan fanboys here were happily calling for or predicting Japan to buy EF2000s, considered by many to be a better option.
They got pretty upset when I merely stated the obvious that Japan would not be allowed to buy EF2000.

 

[siegecrossbow]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

This brings back memory of few years ago when some Japan fanboys here were happily calling for or predicting Japan to buy EF2000s, considered by many to be a better option.
They got pretty upset when I merely stated the obvious that Japan would not be allowed to buy EF2000.

Why exactly would EF-2000 be a better choice, according to the fanboys?

 

[paintgun]

re: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Thread

Why exactly would EF-2000 be a better choice, according to the fanboys?

according to people out there
EADS offers 90% tech transfer and Japan will be able to retain it's aerospace industry and manufacturing capability