The USMC close air support ability today will degrade with the F-35.
That is, if the F-35 ever sees service. Note that the JSF Joint Operational Requirement Document (JORD) mentions JSF sortie rates "significantly" better than legacy. This is a minimum requirement.
It will be interesting to see how the flying piano performs that one.
This Vietnam-era propaganda video shows that even the square peg in a round hole F-4 Phantom (with a proper air FAC) beats anything the F-35 could do for CAS. Cheaper to operate, more sorties, more ordnance, back-seater.... "But Eric, what about precision guided munitions?" Well yes, but that can work well with today's aircraft,...before the Just So Farcical concept.
OK then, what about STOVL?
What about it?
Also in the old video you see an A-4 trapping on an airfield.
8 comments:
Do not forget the Canberra in Vietnam.
Also the USAF, USN and the allies equipped with the F-35 will degrade further.
Great commentary on the possible Chinese TU22m and the stupidity of the JSF by Tyler Rogoway. in The Aviationist blog.
For the Total Procurement Cost of 1 F-35B in FY14, the USMC could probably acquire 1x ready to operate blk II+ F-18E/F (with FLIR pod), plus perhaps 3 Super Tucano.
Life cycle costs taken into account might even include the same exchange-ratio when all said and done.
Given the USMC top brass recently noted the 'urgent need' to recapitalize geriatric Hornets, such a Plan B could arguably offer a credible and prudent option?
By what basis do you come up with the ridiculous suggestion that " F-4 Phantom ... beats anything the F-35 could do for CAS"???
The F-4 was properly engineered (not a fraud on the taxpayer). Even in its era it was cheaper per flying hour. Even in its era you can afford to lose one. $200M plus aircraft that don't bring anything special to the fight aren't war-friendly.
So are you saying that the F-35 was/is NOT properly engineered? Big call!
Not a big call at all. If anything, it is obvious. Not only that, the "leadership" of the engineering effort, has been poor. Where marketing over substance, rules the day.
http://elpdefensenews.blogspot.com.au/p/f-35-reading-list.html
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