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How Many F-22s is enough?
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GZR_Sactargets
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How Many F-22s is enough?
GZR_SACTARGETS
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BadPvtDan
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We will all figure it out some day in the future when we are in some other sort of regional conflict. How long would 183 F-22s last in a conflict with [insert country here]?
"The first rule of Zombieland: Cardio. When the zombie outbreak first hit, the first to go, for obvious reasons... were the fatties."
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GZR_Sactargets
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I am recalling that we had 55 airplanes at the start of WW1 and weren't a lot better off at the start of WW2. In both cases, The US ability to rapidly tool up and produce airplanes saved the day. With today's complex airplanes I don't think we could do that again. Also production capability is much less. The war would be over before any significant numbers would roll off the assembly lines IMHO. 
GZR_SACTARGETS
There is also the case of how far are you going to get stretched due to 'peacekeeping' duties as well.
With the developmental costs of new aircraft going through the roof, the costs are passed on by the manufacturer spread over each aircraft bought. The higher the number purchased, the smaller the unit cost. So it makes more sense to buy more, but do you need the numbers needed to make it cheaper?
With the development of aircraft taking longer and longer, and the service lives being elongated as well. I believe that there is enough reason to look at this for an option.
With the service live of the F-22 likely to be 30 years, why not buy more than you actually need now and store them at a place like D-M? The unit cost will fall, the mothball costs will be negligible and you have a built in reserve to cover attrition and times of crisis. There is also the inevitable third party wish to buy them 5 years after the production line has closed, so you have an option to recoup money later.
Other nice benefits for the front line is that when the inevitable upgrades are done you simply upgrade the stored examples and replace them one for one, this will also spread the airframe life as well which means in 25 years time the politicians expect the F-22 to last for an extra 10 years it can be managed.
I am not saying that this idea doesn't have its pitfalls but it should at least be looked at.
With the developmental costs of new aircraft going through the roof, the costs are passed on by the manufacturer spread over each aircraft bought. The higher the number purchased, the smaller the unit cost. So it makes more sense to buy more, but do you need the numbers needed to make it cheaper?
With the development of aircraft taking longer and longer, and the service lives being elongated as well. I believe that there is enough reason to look at this for an option.
With the service live of the F-22 likely to be 30 years, why not buy more than you actually need now and store them at a place like D-M? The unit cost will fall, the mothball costs will be negligible and you have a built in reserve to cover attrition and times of crisis. There is also the inevitable third party wish to buy them 5 years after the production line has closed, so you have an option to recoup money later.
Other nice benefits for the front line is that when the inevitable upgrades are done you simply upgrade the stored examples and replace them one for one, this will also spread the airframe life as well which means in 25 years time the politicians expect the F-22 to last for an extra 10 years it can be managed.
I am not saying that this idea doesn't have its pitfalls but it should at least be looked at.
Steve
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