Okay, folks, something’s gotta give, money-wise. As we dicussed in a recent post and podcast, the VH-71 is in the crosshairs for severe reductions if not outright cancellation. These are bad times to be a program 100 percent over budget and a couple of years behind schedule.
Moreover, these are bad times PERIOD. Now I understand that the JSF and F-22 are designed to meet separate Air Force requirements. The JSF meets the LOW requirement and replaces the F-16; the F-22 meets the HIGH requirement and replaces the F-15. But the fiscal situtation now and in the FYDP might not support both.
We had a similar situation back in the day when carrier aviation, due to budget concerns primarily, was forced to choose between the A-6 and the F-14. Long story short, the Intruder went away and the Navy enhanced the Tomcat’s resident bombing capability. (The rest is OEF and OIF history, of course.)
So with Christian on the road for the next few days and me minding the store, I wanted to open up the discussion to you guys, the awesome and erudite in defense matters DT readers. What do you think? If the USAF decison-makers are made to choose one or the other, which should they pick?
Wikipedia (the source of all modern knowledge) “apples-to-apples” unit flyaway price comparison: F-22 - $137.5 million; JSF - $83 million. And I know the Raptor does things the JSF doesn’t, but does that capability validate the additional cost considering the current (and projected) threat and budgetary situation?
The comments board is now open.
– Ward
Ok, a few things need to be set straight here…
–Irans air defenses, could not keep out a cesna, never mind a high performance fighter. Look a the terrain.
–Syria, not Iran, boast the most powerful threat IAD. Irans ground based air defences are designed to protect point targets rather than defense in depth. This again has to do with terrain as well as technical limits.
–It is more likely we would use supply trucks rather than F-22’s in Iran. Look at NATOs statements to that effect.
–The F-35, is not “partial stealth”. Why people think that I don’t know but it is not true. F-35 may not be as stealthy as an F-22, but the difference is negligible as far as threats are concerned because F-35 significantly reduce or even eliminate the effectiveness of ground based IADs. Also the F-35 represents a generational leap in terms of stealth technology over the F-22. the same applies to maintenance.
–Russia IS NOT selling Iran it’s most sophisticated SAM. The S300 is dangerous, but not all are created equal. Nor has anything concrete been worked out on an arms deal. Moreover, it would take time to integrate the s300 and make it operational. Notice how we are STILL integrating Super Hornets and Raptors. It’s not just buy and you’re done with the s300.
–no threat air force exist today, nor will one exist capable of over powering the F-22’s and other aircraft we have and will get.
Any questions to these specific responses appreciated.
–DA
–
More later
–DA
Good Evening Folks,
I agree with you “Darth America”, Iran’s air defense is noting that should worry the U.S. military. Russians being the good capitalists that they now are sold identical system to Turkey and Egypt and American Techs have had a good poke around inside them. In addition in the Fall of 07 when Iran was showcasing it’s toy in a war game they turned on their S-300 system. From here on it’s classified but I think you get the idea.
The Russians still have not been able to field the S-400 AD system, a project that was started during the Soviet era.
To SMSgt., as usual you just blowing smoke at me. I also had the pleasure of meeting General La May after he retired from the military and he was running for VP of the United States. I found him to be a serious, well informed and a pleasant person to be around.He was open and frank when questioned and at least when I was around didn’t lose his temper. General La May was an original and in large part created the U.S.A.F.
Often public people create a persona for for the sake of the media and I think this was the case with General Curtis La May. I have no doubts that he firmly believed in nuclear weapons but I also an sure this he was very respectful of them both as weapons and political, and diplomatic tools.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
Heh,
Last time I checked we were discussing combat aircraft, not dead generals…
I have a question. Why has the JSF not been fitted with thrust vectoring? we have the technology, and it would immediatly elevate the aircraft’s capabilities beyond all other fighters except the raptor. seems to me that this would make a lot of sense.
you know we are and have always been gungho about what’s the next lever of fighter planes,ship,missiles,sub-marines,guns,anti-this that and the other thing that can’t be mention due to top secrets,close call by the russian, north coreans…why? because this here is AURMERICA…enough already why we can go back and pick up any A6s,corsiar,phatham, and equip them with high tech gizmos and they will do the job
By the way, “Lightning Deus” would mean “Lightning God.” I think the word you were looking for was either “Deux,” French for “II,” or “Duo,” Latin for two, which of course, in Roman numerals is “II.”
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