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Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

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Re: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

#11
Weird theory of mine: The DoD ultimately picks these winning planes based on which one “looks cooler” or basically has better aesthetics.

I think the F-35 has better aesthetics than the Boeing X-32, just like the F-22 has better aesthetics than the YF-23. You could say I’m used to seeing the winning designs as “normal”, but I distinctly remember having this reaction before the JSF competition was over.

Re: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

#12
post #7

It's really baffling that the US isn't looking more heavily at cheaper, easier to field aircraft like the A-29 Super Tucano for counter-insurgency operations like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Doesn’t the US have many combat aircraft that can fit that service role?

Re: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

#15
post #11

Weird theory of mine: The DoD ultimately picks these winning planes based on which one “looks cooler” or basically has better aesthetics. I think the F-35 has better aesthetics than the Boeing X-32, just like the F-22 has better aesthetics than the YF-23. You could say I’m used to seeing the winning designs as “normal”, but I distinctly remember having this reaction before the JSF competition was over.

[deleted]

Re: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

#16

Good. The whole thing should be shut down.

It is not good. Like it or not, this is the only alternative NATO has for the forceable future. The British Tempest and the French/German stealth fighter won’t be operational until 2035-2040

The only alternative are modernizes 4gen fighters which are very vulnerable to modern air defenses.

A ‘buggy’ F-35 might still be a better alternative.

Also the British are counting for the F-35 to equip its carriers.

Re: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

#18
post #11

Weird theory of mine: The DoD ultimately picks these winning planes based on which one “looks cooler” or basically has better aesthetics. I think the F-35 has better aesthetics than the Boeing X-32, just like the F-22 has better aesthetics than the YF-23. You could say I’m used to seeing the winning designs as “normal”, but I distinctly remember having this reaction before the JSF competition was over.

I don't think the F-22 has better aesthetics than the YF-23. The YF-23 looks super awesome with its diamond-shaped wing.

The Boeing X-32's frog-mouthed appearance is a bit ugly though.

Re: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision on Hold

#19
post #7

It's really baffling that the US isn't looking more heavily at cheaper, easier to field aircraft like the A-29 Super Tucano for counter-insurgency operations like Iraq and Afghanistan.

the a-29 is really intended for US COIN partner nations (read: not first world militaries). the aircraft is much less survivable than an a-10 (which is already more vulnerable than people tend to think), making it inappropriate for most direct applications by US forces.

edit: to be clear, the US is looking at the a-29; they just don't want to risk their own pilots in it.

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