Obama administration grounds entire F-35 fleet, paves way for ChiCom invasion

[^_^ 5,021]

The US has grounded its entire fleet of 51 F-35 fighter jets after the discovery of a cracked engine blade.

The fault was detected during a routine inspection of an air force version of the jet (F-35A) at Edwards Air Force Base in California, said the Pentagon.

Different versions are flown by the navy and the marine corps. All have been grounded.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21554331

[Pooky 3,850]

Apart from the poll options, which are inane and irrelevant ...

The Thunderpig is in trouble yet again. Having canned the parallel engine option, The US Goernment and Lockheed Martin are saddled with a plane that doesn't meet the original performance criteria (so they rewrote them around what the 'Pig can do), is plagued by serious development issues and is seriously over-budget. Epic.

As for being defeceless against anyone, the 'Pig is not operational yet, so that's plainly untrue.

[james&olya 1,121]

That xxxx Obama! He should let the pilots fly with broken engine parts so that planes and pilots would all be lost. That would save us from the godless chicom invaders!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Apart from the poll options, which are inane and irrelevant ...

The Thunderpig is in trouble yet again. Having canned the parallel engine option, The US Goernment and Lockheed Martin are saddled with a plane that doesn't meet the original performance criteria (so they rewrote them around what the 'Pig can do), is plagued by serious development issues and is seriously over-budget. Epic.

As for being defeceless against anyone, the 'Pig is not operational yet, so that's plainly untrue.

Can you compare its current performance to the planes its replacing (forgetting the stealth component)?

I know its replacing the following (probably more than these):

A10

F18

F16

AV8

[Pooky 3,850]

Can you compare its current performance to the planes its replacing (forgetting the stealth component)?

I know its replacing the following (probably more than these):

A10

F18

F16

AV8

Pig vs Hog

Pig is faster, with (better) electronics.

Hog has the gun, manoeuvrability, diversity of loadout and survivability.

Pig vs Bug

Matched in capability, the pig has the edge in electronics and power, while the Bug has 2 engines, a traditional USN preference.

Pig vs Viper

The Pig has better electronics, more power and range, while the Viper is cheaper and just as flexible.

Pig vs Harrier

The Pig is faster, can carry more and is more versatile, but the Harrier is VTOL capable, has a less complex, more flexible thrust vectoring capability.

The main problem with the Thunderpig is that it is far more costly than every system it is designed to replace, while barely more capable, if at all, than any of them.

As for the stealth capability, the Pig has limited internal carry capacity, and it is only stealthy if it is externally clean. The moment you need to put a useful combat loadout on one, and therefore carry ordnance externally, any stealth capability it may have had goes to hell in a handbasket.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So, it is good for surgical strikes. Might as well send in the drones.

[Darnell 8,479]

Bring back the A-10 Warthog !

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bring back the A-10 Warthog !

Not sexy enough. Air Force is all about image. They want to look good, when they are taking the Army anywhere they want to go.

Edited February 24, 2013 by The Patriot

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Bring back the F-22.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Pig vs Hog

Pig is faster, with (better) electronics.

Hog has the gun, manoeuvrability, diversity of loadout and survivability.

Pig vs Bug

Matched in capability, the pig has the edge in electronics and power, while the Bug has 2 engines, a traditional USN preference.

Pig vs Viper

The Pig has better electronics, more power and range, while the Viper is cheaper and just as flexible.

Pig vs Harrier

The Pig is faster, can carry more and is more versatile, but the Harrier is VTOL capable, has a less complex, more flexible thrust vectoring capability.

The main problem with the Thunderpig is that it is far more costly than every system it is designed to replace, while barely more capable, if at all, than any of them.

As for the stealth capability, the Pig has limited internal carry capacity, and it is only stealthy if it is externally clean. The moment you need to put a useful combat loadout on one, and therefore carry ordnance externally, any stealth capability it may have had goes to hell in a handbasket.

I thought they were making a VTOL version of the F35? I'm guessing it was cut?

[Pooky 3,850]

I thought they were making a VTOL version of the F35? I'm guessing it was cut?

Not VTOL, but STOVL. Landing vertically is relatively simple, unlike taking off vertically. The short takeoff capability is easier to achieve and costs less, both in dollars and payload.

Bring back the A-10 Warthog !

The Hog has gone nowhere, despite two attempts to phase them out already.

Not sexy enough. Air Force is all about image. They want to look good, when they are taking the Army anywhere they want to go.

Ask the Hog pilots about sexy, and they will tell you that fast may be good, but survivability is better and they have a BIG gun.

Bring back the F-22.

The Raptor just needs to be made safe for its pilots. It's going nowhere for a while yet

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ask the Hog pilots about sexy, and they will tell you that fast may be good, but survivability is better and they have a BIG gun.

I heard that. Seems that seeing the size of the holes the ZSU-23-4 puts in an airframe, and still being able to land safely, makes a believer out of most pilots.

Edited February 24, 2013 by The Patriot

[Pooky 3,850]

I heard that. Seems that seeing the size of the holes the ZSU-23-4 puts in an airframe, and still being able to land safely, makes a believer out of most pilots.

Unlike the 'Pig, which is a one size fits all kind of aircraft, the A-10 was designed to do a specific job. The Hog has been in service over 35 years now and is still the best tool for the job.

Close support is not a job for a complex, supersonic jet. What it requires is something that is manoeuvrability and survivable at low-level, and one that can deliver a useable punch. The Hog does.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Pooky

[james&olya 1,121]

Ask about sexy, and they will tell you that fast may be good, but survivability is better and they have a BIG gun.