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U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 09 May 2012, 20:29
by delbydoo
Another one of our famous political u-turns, and another almighty MoD FUBAR.....just add it to the list :evil:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18008171

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 09 May 2012, 22:34
by jaguar1
Jeez, here we go again :roll:

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 10 May 2012, 01:22
by MIKE JG
Good lord! This is the very definition of FUBAR.

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 10 May 2012, 04:27
by fishlips
Australia has recently declared that it has shelved its order of the F-35 for an additional two years in line with the U.S.
Seems nobody really wants these things, or at least, they don't wish to pay for them out of the current budget.

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 10 May 2012, 06:04
by VulcanDriver
We should have kept the Harriers instead of wasting money on the F-35 which is an unproven design. Harrier upgrades would have cost less.

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 10 May 2012, 14:04
by MIKE JG
The problem with the F-35's is that they are building them at the same time they are testing them. Instead of building a couple aircraft, testing those, working out all the kinks and bugs FIRST, they have decided to produce them concurrently with the testing process.

As things get discovered that need to be fixed, it's already too late to fix them on the initial low rate production models as they roll off the assembly line. These aircraft will have to be fixed AFTER they've been delivered at enormous cost to the countries involved.

Why Lockheed-Martin is not shouldering the ENTIRE cost of these overruns and fixes is beyond me. It's their product, they should have to pay to fix it.

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 12 May 2012, 10:31
by VulcanDriver
Apparently the new carrier (the RN will only be getting one in service, the other being either mothballed or sold) will only be carrying 12 F-35s!

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 12 May 2012, 12:00
by MIKE JG
John, didn't they tell you guys that it only takes twelve F-35's to win a war???

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 12 May 2012, 14:21
by petebramley
Does that mean we have to buy 60 to ensure 12 are serviceable

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 12 May 2012, 16:17
by VulcanDriver
According to the CDS there will be 12 on-board with remaining a/c on land for training and reserves. And if reports are correct most will be having the bugs ironed out!

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 12 May 2012, 16:18
by VulcanDriver
MIKE JG wrote:John, didn't they tell you guys that it only takes twelve F-35's to win a war???
The way the cuts are going we'll only have 12 pilots!

Re: U-Turn on UK F-35

Posted: 12 May 2012, 16:23
by MIKE JG
We only have 200 Raptor pilots and some of them refuse to fly the jet!