I'm not a JSF basher but there are lots of signs of "problems" here. First and foremost is the lack of competition in the process. It would have been better to have a Boeing JSF option also, i.e. the opportunity should have been to purchase X & Y numbers of either JSF. Why? Simple, competition makes one better and there would be a fall back if one failed. So the process was flawed from the start. Second problem, is this too big to fail mentality where everyone is held hostage (member countries).
That said, in terms of Canada. Canada has a small military force which needs to be effective and efficient for the small budget it has. So what does Canada really need? That's a good question. But using the logic of a large country, large open water spaces on 3 sides and sometimes NATO or peacekeeping duties, it would seem that the first none starter is the lack of two engines in the current F-35. The lack of long range is another problem.
At a realistic price of $130-$150M, the JSF is an absolute waste of money, time and would probably still get our pilots killed if a real war occured as it can't take on serious aircraft like the Su30/35 and needs F-22's and others to pave the way.
The reality for Canada, just like Australia is that we may have to purchase some (24-48) F-18 Super Hornets to bridge the gap between 2014-2020 as the oldest versions of Canuck CF-18's will have to be retired. The second reality is money. The cost to purchase and operate the F-35 at current projections, the "real" ones, is unaffordable for a small country like Canada.
Finally, the comments by these reporters on F-18's or other are 30 year old aircraft are bogus and nothing more than Lockheed Martin spin. First and foremost the physics has not changed much, even for the F-15/18 or Su27/30/33/35, which is why they are still being built. In addition, nothing about the new F-18 block 2 or 3 (near future), or F-15SE are anything similar to the original than the shape. Both series have advanced radars, cockpits, avionics, fly-by-wire (F15SE), stealth coatings, or CFT, CWBs. So when these reporters don't really check their facts and act like cheerleaders. We get the same crap as we got with Mortgages, Investment banks, derivatives and other recent disasters. Reporters are not journalists anymore, they are cheerleaders driven by corporate advertising dollars to their media company. The lack of critical thinking and Plan B's reeks of more patronage and at it's best...incompetence.
To add to my first comment. There is another very good reason why Canada is pandering to the US on the F-35. It's called Canada/US politics. There have been two critical items that Canada needs completed with the US. One is the Border security agreement which is now done (Dec 7), giving security but more importantly the movement of goods across the border. This is worth billions to the economy. Second is the Keystone oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas. Which will eventually happen in 2012/13 but is meeting lots of opposition by the US green movement lobbying Washington. The pipeline is worth, billions (I said it again) to Canada. Canada does not want to piss off the US in any way shape or form by suggesting the F-35 is deficient, so it plays along and buys time. Canada can wait until 2013 at the latest. Hopefully internal US issues can be resolved before we're all committed to the Edsel fighter.
2 comments:
In addition to your blog comment. More stupidity without checking the facts.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada/Canada+locked+matter+cost+analysis/5873356/story.html
I'm not a JSF basher but there are lots of signs of "problems" here. First and foremost is the lack of competition in the process. It would have been better to have a Boeing JSF option also, i.e. the opportunity should have been to purchase X & Y numbers of either JSF. Why? Simple, competition makes one better and there would be a fall back if one failed. So the process was flawed from the start. Second problem, is this too big to fail mentality where everyone is held hostage (member countries).
That said, in terms of Canada. Canada has a small military force which needs to be effective and efficient for the small budget it has. So what does Canada really need? That's a good question. But using the logic of a large country, large open water spaces on 3 sides and sometimes NATO or peacekeeping duties, it would seem that the first none starter is the lack of two engines in the current F-35. The lack of long range is another problem.
At a realistic price of $130-$150M, the JSF is an absolute waste of money, time and would probably still get our pilots killed if a real war occured as it can't take on serious aircraft like the Su30/35 and needs F-22's and others to pave the way.
The reality for Canada, just like Australia is that we may have to purchase some (24-48) F-18 Super Hornets to bridge the gap between 2014-2020 as the oldest versions of Canuck CF-18's will have to be retired. The second reality is money. The cost to purchase and operate the F-35 at current projections, the "real" ones, is unaffordable for a small country like Canada.
Finally, the comments by these reporters on F-18's or other are 30 year old aircraft are bogus and nothing more than Lockheed Martin spin. First and foremost the physics has not changed much, even for the F-15/18 or Su27/30/33/35, which is why they are still being built. In addition, nothing about the new F-18 block 2 or 3 (near future), or F-15SE are anything similar to the original than the shape. Both series have advanced radars, cockpits, avionics, fly-by-wire (F15SE), stealth coatings, or CFT, CWBs. So when these reporters don't really check their facts and act like cheerleaders. We get the same crap as we got with Mortgages, Investment banks, derivatives and other recent disasters. Reporters are not journalists anymore, they are cheerleaders driven by corporate advertising dollars to their media company. The lack of critical thinking and Plan B's reeks of more patronage and at it's best...incompetence.
To add to my first comment. There is another very good reason why Canada is pandering to the US on the F-35. It's called Canada/US politics. There have been two critical items that Canada needs completed with the US. One is the Border security agreement which is now done (Dec 7), giving security but more importantly the movement of goods across the border. This is worth billions to the economy. Second is the Keystone oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas. Which will eventually happen in 2012/13 but is meeting lots of opposition by the US green movement lobbying Washington. The pipeline is worth, billions (I said it again) to Canada. Canada does not want to piss off the US in any way shape or form by suggesting the F-35 is deficient, so it plays along and buys time. Canada can wait until 2013 at the latest. Hopefully internal US issues can be resolved before we're all committed to the Edsel fighter.
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