phrenzy
as long as all they ask me about is the air war...
- Joined
- 31 October 2013
- Messages
- 277
- Reaction score
- 16
Except that we don't actually know the final production figures and full rate production prices on the f-35a, just cost reduction projections.
I know everyone loved the Paris air Show, it was impressive, but over Syria right now where everything if a target and you might be facing off in a kinetic fight against a sucker Russian aircraft within visual range there's one aircraft in the inventory you want. The f-22. gives you everything you want with reduced risk of larger flights and more ability to get the single threating aircraft you have to shoot down with escelating things further. Sending in and supporting twice as many lightnings there is going to be a much bigger problem.
Having said that I'm sure the data fusion and command and control the f-35 would bring stuff be advantageous, but so much of that goodness should be baked into any new F-22 restart. The data links, infra red sensors, improved targeting and maybe New engines.
But it's all academic, they'll take more B-21s and keep all the f-35s they can and just hope they can wait for PAC/NGAD. If things spiral out of control in the region it would be too late today to do much about it with a restarted raptor line, unless they are replacing lost Eagles (strike out otherwise) and F-16s, but that will probably be made up for with f-35 like it or not.
I know everyone loved the Paris air Show, it was impressive, but over Syria right now where everything if a target and you might be facing off in a kinetic fight against a sucker Russian aircraft within visual range there's one aircraft in the inventory you want. The f-22. gives you everything you want with reduced risk of larger flights and more ability to get the single threating aircraft you have to shoot down with escelating things further. Sending in and supporting twice as many lightnings there is going to be a much bigger problem.
Having said that I'm sure the data fusion and command and control the f-35 would bring stuff be advantageous, but so much of that goodness should be baked into any new F-22 restart. The data links, infra red sensors, improved targeting and maybe New engines.
But it's all academic, they'll take more B-21s and keep all the f-35s they can and just hope they can wait for PAC/NGAD. If things spiral out of control in the region it would be too late today to do much about it with a restarted raptor line, unless they are replacing lost Eagles (strike out otherwise) and F-16s, but that will probably be made up for with f-35 like it or not.