F-35 Update
So, the F-35 B has finally engaged its lift fan in flight, (video below) which is a step toward, but considering the fact the aircraft flew only 10% of the scheduled test flights in 2009, I guess you take what you can.
The bigger news is about the F-35 C model, where a study has been released showing that it will be significantly more expensive to operate than its predecessors:
In fact, it is more expensive to operate than the F-15 Eagle, which is significantly larger, but costs only $30,000/hour to operate and only slightly less than that of the F-22, which is nearly twice the size, and costs $44,000/hour to fly. (scroll down)
When the inevitable costs escalation is included, and part of the hourly cost is the amortization of the initial purchase, I think that the "smaller cheaper" F-35 will be nearly the cost of the F-22.
I do not consider this an argument for the F-22, just an argument for a 2nd tier that costs less (inflation adjusted) than an F-4 Phantom to operate.
The US has air dominance because it dominates the situational awareness in any potential conflict, which is done with things like advanced communications, AWACS, etc., not a plane that can break mach 1 in a vertical climb.
Lockheed-Martin's response is that the study is "not definitive," which is defense contractor speak for, "I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for your meddling kids."
The bigger news is about the F-35 C model, where a study has been released showing that it will be significantly more expensive to operate than its predecessors:
Moreover, NAVAIR estimates the total of 680 short take-off and vertical landing F-35Bs and carrier-variant F-35Cs, ordered by the US Marine Corps and USN, respectively, will cost $30,700 to fly each hour. This compares to $18,900 for the Boeing AV-8B Harrier II and Boeing F/A-18A-D, the aircraft types the Joint Strike Fighter will replace.Note that this is competing against an F/A-18 with 2 engines, and roughly the same level of installed thrust and weight.
Although NAVAIR projects the F-35 will fly 12% fewer flight hours than the AV-8B and F/A-18A-D fleets, the agency expects the modern aircraft to cost as much as about 25% more to operate at peak rates, the briefing says.
The unexpected cost increases mean the F-35 "will have a significant impact on naval aviation affordability", the NAVAIR document concludes.
In fact, it is more expensive to operate than the F-15 Eagle, which is significantly larger, but costs only $30,000/hour to operate and only slightly less than that of the F-22, which is nearly twice the size, and costs $44,000/hour to fly. (scroll down)
When the inevitable costs escalation is included, and part of the hourly cost is the amortization of the initial purchase, I think that the "smaller cheaper" F-35 will be nearly the cost of the F-22.
I do not consider this an argument for the F-22, just an argument for a 2nd tier that costs less (inflation adjusted) than an F-4 Phantom to operate.
The US has air dominance because it dominates the situational awareness in any potential conflict, which is done with things like advanced communications, AWACS, etc., not a plane that can break mach 1 in a vertical climb.
Lockheed-Martin's response is that the study is "not definitive," which is defense contractor speak for, "I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for your meddling kids."
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