The most expensive weapon system of all times

[HundertzehnGustav]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

1. The basic concept, having an airframe that can be used by more than one service is good. The F-4 was used by both the air force and navy.

2. Is there a need? well the F-15, F-16 and F-18 were designed 40 years ago and are nearing the end of their useful life.

3. Does it have to use the latest cutting edge technology? Based on the F-15/16/18 experience, they will probably have to last 40 years. What will be the anti-air tech in 2050? What is more expensive? building it right from the beginning or having an expensive upgrade in 2030?

4. Is there a threat? These airplanes have a long lead time, Russia and China are both designing their own next generation plane. When, not if, but when the next crisis comes around, there wont be time to develop new planes.

5. should it be scrapped? trillions of dollars down the drain. Yes, there would be an immediate savings, but you still have the problem that the current generation of planes will be obsolete in 10 years.

6. Are manned airplanes obsolete? who knows? Drones can do some interesting things, can they do everything? If you want to fly an infantry division to the next crisis point with C-17s, are you really going to trust their protection to drones? How do you prevent the enemy from jamming the transmissions between the drone and the GCI?

7. do we need so many variants? That is probably where they could have saved some bucks.

2 -the E and F have sopme 10-20 years left.

3- the cutting edge tecnology is stolen, and therefor no more cutting edge. PAK-FA. Chinese hardware. software leaks.

4- now you have a bunch of expensive toys, and some rustbuckets. not a single proper tool at hand.

5 - drones. cheap. effective. what needs trying is a fighter drone,.. something that has a gun and can put that gun on an enemy Fighter, transport, chopper...
but they drop eggs, and do so in an accurate manner.

6 - as far as i can see: yes.
it is only a matter of time whehn humans will thrust Cargo and Tanker and surveilance roles to manned drones of all sizes and measures.
Some roles get handed to the machines faster... some much later. Including civilian drones carrying passenges in 2060 or 2100

Not that i like any of that. if it were me, the development would have stopped at the A-4 Skyhawk or the Mig-19.
That 35 aint no good for nothing, it seems. and drones are around the corner. Naval drones even.

when toys are the killers, then the detachment from war is complete.
I hope i die soon, for these times are ugly. Careless killings ahead.