More F-35 critiquing

[tor lives]

I remember cutting apart my former lecturer at University

So Ace......how did that work for ya come exam time
Ray

[davecana]

If it came down to which I'd rather be flying to deliver my bombs to a target, First of, I'd rather send a UCAV, I don't want to be any where near the wrong end of a missile launch. If it gets hit, I'm not dead, and I can launch a second one safely from the other side of the planet. Second choice would be the F-35, mainly because if it is difficult to see, through stealth and other electronic measures, then it's difficult to target. Plus the inter-operabilty between F-35's is second to none. Plus, the decision for the request to buy these planes is made by people who know about flying in combat, are trained in such things, and are highly skilled in such things. Last place I want to be is in a B-52. An F-35 will shoot one of them down before they even know one is hunting them. And just for shits and giggles, could even finish the B-52's mission after it was destroyed.
Brad, you say we may never know the full potential of the F-35. I would think it is a definite that we will never know it's full potential. The only people that will ever truly know that, will the the pilots who fly them, and those who command them. Even other RAAF pilots, will never know the full potential of this machine, because they have no requirement to know.

[_BlackHawk_]

Salty, if you dislike this topic you're always free not to post in it and it's actually the cost I don't like that much.

Ray the subject was 'War in Vietnam' and I aced that subject. Still remember the exam, I had to write on the painting 'Saigon 1967' by Peter Saul and the images of James Farley and Yankee Pappa 13. He was actually a pretty good lecturer and after that, every question in the tutorials he would ask me first.

[_BlackHawk_]

If it came down to which I'd rather be flying to deliver my bombs to a target, First of, I'd rather send a UCAV, I don't want to be any where near the wrong end of a missile launch. If it gets hit, I'm not dead, and I can launch a second one safely from the other side of the planet. Second choice would be the F-35, mainly because if it is difficult to see, through stealth and other electronic measures, then it's difficult to target. Plus the inter-operabilty between F-35's is second to none. Plus, the decision for the request to buy these planes is made by people who know about flying in combat, are trained in such things, and are highly skilled in such things. Last place I want to be is in a B-52. An F-35 will shoot one of them down before they even know one is hunting them. And just for shits and giggles, could even finish the B-52's mission after it was destroyed.
Brad, you say we may never know the full potential of the F-35. I would think it is a definite that we will never know it's full potential. The only people that will ever truly know that, will the the pilots who fly them, and those who command them. Even other RAAF pilots, will never know the full potential of this machine, because they have no requirement to know.

Well, we hope it's hard to see. The stealth capability was downgraded by the US Defense Department. I also read that the aircraft can be detected by radar using VHF bands in the spectrum.

[davecana]

VHF radar can see the aircraft because of it's bandwidth of operation, but cannot see it if other electronic countermeasures are used. Also, if one F-35 is being used as the sight aircraft, and the others are operating in a wolfpack situation, the shot will not be coming from the aircraft that the radar has sighted, if it ever does anyway, but will come from one of the hidden aircraft. Also, the cost does not concern me, because it is part of a package with AEW&C's and other patrol aircraft that will be connected to each other, as well as connected to ground stations, effectively controlling airspace. Not getting the F-35's is like a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing. Yes, you know what the picture is, but it just isn't 100% complete.

[Tony P]

Salty.. The military do release that info.. Just go check AMI.. They're all over it like a rash on a pimps proverbial.

I was going to suggest that blackhawk throw this grenade over there. Would be something to watch.

Speaking of watching, I'd like to see one in the flesh. Just a tad on the noisy side I'm lead to believe. Envy my mates in the UK who get to see the B model put through it's paces at Fairford & Farnborough next month.

[Nillus]

I'm still not a fan of this aircraft and that's just on cost alone. I'm also not a fan of the Robert McNamara rationalisation programs as you'll always need a dedicated fighter, bomber and strike aircraft. For Australia, do we really need this aircraft? I would prefer us to have a large force of conventional aircraft supported by a force of electronic warfare aircraft and then a smaller force of stealth for special operations. I've maintained that F-15 should still be built and would be the perfect aircraft for Australia.

BH...from your opening statement.
Not just on cost.
F-15's perfect for Oz.

You really do not know F-35 capability.
You really do not know bang for buck.
However you really are entitled to an opinion.

I really need to start a thread about Jackson Pollock.

[tor lives]

Why spend billions of dollars on stealthy, "invisible" F-35s .....when all you apparently need is a Boeing 777 that seems to be able to achieve the same "trick" just fine.
Ray
(being very factious of course)

[Nillus]

Yes,
The new stealth tripler.

The 777-370.

[_BlackHawk_]

Why spend billions of dollars on stealthy, "invisible" F-35s .....when all you apparently need is a Boeing 777 that seems to be able to achieve the same "trick" just fine.
Ray
(being very factious of course)

All you need to do is switch off the transponder....and stop stealing my jokes!