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Originally Posted by waste gate
I don't particularly like the look of the JSF. Its an a/c designed for every mission. I think it will become an a/c of little use for any mission. I hope the helmet is light in weight or we'll have to have pilots with necks like NFL offensive guards.
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It is not any more than any other helmet at 3 lbs.
THe F-35 is an extremely capable aircraft. Only one aircraft that that is more capable and that is F-22, but this is not the issue. The issue is - IT IS NOT AN F-22!!! It is cheaper than an F-22 however, but I still think we should build more F-22's.
F-35 is however a needed platform in that we need VTOL to replace Harrier, we need stealth capability for the Navy, all sorts of needs, and it fits the bill for all with some modifications (Think the M-16 of aircraft - you can mount any upper you want onto the reciever - this makes the M-16 extremely versatile for any situtaion. You can even mount a 50 Cal upper on an M-16 receiver - or AR receiver for that matter!). The USAF version is even being equipped with laser weaponry, so this aircraft does hold much promise.
All these 4th generation fighters being built by other countries are almost a waste for power projection - a requirement in an ever increasing hostile world. Simply getting past a SAM site in the future will become an impossibility without an aircraft like F-35 or F-22. Russia's SA-18 is most impressive, as is Americas ever evolving Patriot. So you have either two choices in the future for airspace penetration - F-35 or F-22. No other fighters need apply since they won't make it past either Russia's or America's made SAM systems. The only other aircraft that has some, though slim chance is EF2000, but even that has way too large a cross section - and sling a missile under its wings (A requirement to fight!), and you have a worthless pile of junk for airspace penetration since the RCS just went through the roof for hiding from any decent current generation SAM. As a defense fighter over friendly airspace, it is still useful, but only in a real limited fasion.
Getting the idea why countries like the UK, who already have 4th generation fighters like EF2000, still want the F-35? Without it, they have no hope anymore of acting in a manner of force projection. Threatening a badely behaving country like Iran becomes a joke, because they couldn't hope to even penetrate its airspace without it. They become purely defensive reactionary countries.
THis is why they signed onto the F-35 program - they can't afford to be without it. Any general already has known this for 10 to 15 years.
-S