“I write to express disappointment with your apparent lack of commitment to the success” of the F-35, said Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which must approve Carter’s nomination. “I strongly encourage you to step up defense of this key program.”
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Senator from Lockheed Martin is not happy....
The U.S. Senator from Lockheed Martin is not happy.
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I for one would guess that by around 2014, the military impetus to have F-35 will erode significantly.
-J-20 will enter later phase of test.
-Pak-fa about to enter service.
-India FGFA will take shape
-Japan's ATDX first flight
-Korea K-FX first flight
- Maybe China's medium fighter will emerge.
There are too many competing models all of them at very near or above F-35. So in order F-35 to make a difference in battle it will have to come in 2-3 squadrons per flight vs one of theirs just to match the missiles number. And since it has no range it will have to be stationed in a lot of air bases. And nobody can afford that many F-35.
The minimum number required just to maintain deterrent balance will truly be in 2000-2500. Unaffordable number.
In the end, F-35 existence now balance in proving itself that BVR missile is effective as advertised. If Pak-Fa or J-20 brings in new decoy, evasive maneuver or other technology that force F-35 to fly close and dog-fight, it's over. F-35 has no room to grow and lousy flight performance.
They pretty much has to admit F-35 is not suitable except for most mundane UAV type of mission.
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