F-35 grounded...again.

[reconmercs]

At this point...I just when anything related to the F-35 is announced...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/23/busin ... .html?_r=0

[DaleRFU]

Why am I not suprised that there is yet more problems

[BadPvtDan]

I heard there are 51 of them at $400 some odd million apiece. That's like 20 new B2s.

[ahs06]

Maybe LM should start drumming up support for the US purchasing some new F-16's. They need to sell something when everyone pulls out of the F-35.

[petebramley]

I wonder how much it would cost to Navalise the Typhoon and install cats on our
shiny new carriers. Even with MOD's renowned ineptitude and inevitable cost increases
its gotta be better value than this turkey.

Or am I just being a cynical old git

[Firebird]

You may be a cynical old git, but you might also be right.

[fishlips]

Why waste all that money on a stealth fighter "which the very next day, if not already" will see somebody produce a system that can light it up like a christmas tree!
The F-35 is a turkey as are all the so-called stealth fighters of the past, the idea is so 1930's and past its due date for stupidity. The most dangerous weapons delivery system ever invented remains the deisel/electric sub which can plaint a nuk into any backyard and hide in just any swimming pool for months on end.

With the F-35, I just like the added attraction of all that nose, goes the scare factor.

[Firebird]

My feeling is that it goes against the grain to have a combat aircraft less manoeuvrable than the one it is replacing (I believe this is the case - not fact). Do they really think that it will not get involved in a turn and burn with 4th gen fighters? A bit naive I feel.

Perhaps the most extraordinary fact is that the same people that pooh-poohed the Forger for the fact that it was VTOL and not V/STOL decided that this lift engine solution for the F-35B was a good idea. My feeling is that this is one aircraft that definitely needs to VIFF when attacked.
The US Navy might be able to provide fighter escorts but the RN won't.

There is more than a touch of the F-111 story here.

Still what do I know.