Well said, seige.
This aircraft is probably one of the most tested aircraft in history, in all of its three versions.
It is sad and terrible about this loss, particukarky of what probably was a very dedicated and very talented young man. I pray for he and his family and friends and pray for the best for them, and for them to somehow find peace in their loss.
But the progeam will go on. Far too many nations are buying in now, and it provides, in its varuious ersions far too many answers and solutions to problems that countries ahve looked for for a long time...and is finally doing it at a really decent price point for these nations.
I have always believe that the F-35B would be more desirable than people ahve though with so many smaller, flat deck Ampbious vessels out there that could make use of it.
I really hop that the EV-22 AEW offering of the Osprey comes into its own with this trend in Jpan and Korea. it would be a very worthwhile thing, and well worth the cost when you consider the alternatives.
Anyhow...I believe the same thing about the SV-322 ASW version. IMHO, the biggets threat to any of these ships remains the sub-surface one. The US wes foolish and far too premature in remvoing the S-3As in what amounts to a simple cost cuttung measure. It leaves the large, very expensive vessels more open to the sub surface threat.
The SV-22 however offers an even better solution IMHO.
Best regards, and God's speed.
Well stated Jeff, Siege, and Mr. Brumby, the Japanese are very satisfied with the F-35A, as are all the partners, this aircraft was the first assembled in the Japanese FACO, so I'm very certain it was built with a great deal of care and pride.... any high performance aircraft is like a racing automobile, very tight tolerances, and very high stress on the powerplant at all times.. I should point out that the F-135 is pushing the limits of thrust, even the amazing F-119 in the F-22 is under far less stress....
So, while this is an amazing program, and very successful honestly, (think about it, when was the last time there were this many partners, developing and buying a high performance aircraft, that has been tailored to launch everybody's favorite weapons?? While there were early issues that caused folks to delay or even cut aircraft numbers, that trend has completely turned around due to this airframes stellar performance and unparalleled sensor fusion..
So, F-35 buys are UP, and they will continue to go up, as the price of admission goes down, see how that works fella's, just like Jeff Head told you it would, in fact just like Master Jeff predicted early on, the Japanese have decided to buy the F-35B for their LHD's and the number of partners continues to go up every few months as more and more potential operators realize, they can afford a 5 Gen fighter aircraft ,,, "HEH! HEH! HEH! I love it when a plan comes together!", Hannibal Smith.....
and I just love hearing the whiners and complainers, they are whining and crying crocodile tears because the Russians only have a dozen Su-57's and even the hard working, highly motivated Chinese only have 20 or so airworthy J-20A's, LOCKMART Delivers a superior product, they always have given folks the most "Bang for the Buck"!.... that's around 350 airworthy, hard working 5 Gens, and production will continue for years to come..
In fact the F-35 is so good, its breathing new life into old 4 Gens, as it "holds their hand", to keep them safe, and improve their performance...
Yes the Japanese are a very important part of that equation, they are very happy with this airplane,, sadly a little heart-ache, there is always a high price to pay to be the best....
