General / Off-Topic I think we need another thread about American politics.

[Ian Skippy]

Not to derail the thread too much, but why? The F/A 18 and F35 both seem to be very capable aircraft. What would the F16 have offered that the other two don't?

Because Denmark isn't particularly into high-speed delivery of payload, but more into protecting their airspace against Russia. The F16 is WAY cheaper, and with that in mind read this:
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/re...-35-s-damning-dogfighting-report-719a4e66f3eb

The F35 has been a pretty disastrous project (espescially how Navy requirements had dire consequences for all other versions) which is discussed in-depth elsewhere. The F/A 18 is great for what it is, but the Gripen just makes way more sense. Remember that the States can have a diverse airforce, with different planes for different, specific, roles. Smaller countries cannot afford that, and having your entire airforce be based around the F35 would be silly at best. We need multi-role planes.

Yes, I am looking at you, Dutch minister of Defence... [mad]

 

[Deleted member 115407]

Because Denmark isn't particularly into high-speed delivery of payload, but more into protecting their airspace against Russia. The F16 is WAY cheaper, and with that in mind read this:
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/re...-35-s-damning-dogfighting-report-719a4e66f3eb

The F35 has been a pretty disastrous project (espescially how Navy requirements had dire consequences for all other versions) which is discussed in-depth elsewhere. The F/A 18 is great for what it is, but the Gripen just makes way more sense. Remember that the States can have a diverse airforce, with different planes for different, specific, roles. Smaller countries cannot afford that, and having your entire airforce be based around the F35 would be silly at best. We need multi-role planes.

Yes, I am looking at you, Dutch minister of Defence... [mad]

+1 Thanks. Will check out the link.

Similarly, there is a movie wherein Kelsey Grammer plays a general involved in the development of the Bradley IFV. As I recall, it's a pretty good movie. Maybe I'll find it tonight.

P.S. I don't really know too much about the context of troublesome development with the Bradley, but the ones our scouts had (mind you this is 2003+), they loved them.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/

 

[TheAntitheist Crusader]

Speaking of the F 35s, the UK is in the process of completing the construction of two brand new aircraft carriers, they will presumably be sea worthy soon....WITHOUT the F 35s, i'm actually in favour of strengthening our navy, these carriers will be important for protecting the falklands and projecting power wherever necessary, but without the planes ? The USA seriously needs to sort out the F 35 project and the UK needs better military budget planning.

 

[Starbreaker]

+1 Thanks. Will check out the link.

Similarly, there is a movie wherein Kelsey Grammer plays a general involved in the development of the Bradley IFV. As I recall, it's a pretty good movie. Maybe I'll find it tonight.

P.S. I don't really know too much about the context of troublesome development with the Bradley, but the ones our scouts had (mind you this is 2003+), they loved them.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/

Wonder if the JSF project was as bad as this.
[video=youtube;aXQ2lO3ieBA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXQ2lO3ieBA[/video]

 

[Adept]

fixed your link [smile]

A cowardly move. How about talking about the study I linked?

 

[Adept]

Not to derail the thread too much, but why? The F/A 18 and F35 both seem to be very capable aircraft. What would the F16 have offered that the other two don't?

This is a rare case where I'm in full agreement with Lysander. The Hornet was a bad choise, and the Viper (of Fighting Falcon if you will) would have been much better.

The hornet is a navy missile bus / assault platform. F-16 is the better airframe. Lighter, cheaper to operate, more agile, faster and more versatile.

The acquirement process was effed up beyond all reason. The Finnish Airforce rides the hornets way harder than the US Navy does, and the structure has proven disapointingly weak in use (cracks, metal fatigue etc).

There's no good US jet on offer this time, so I can only hope we end up with an Eurocanard.

+1 Thanks. Will check out the link.

Similarly, there is a movie wherein Kelsey Grammer plays a general involved in the development of the Bradley IFV. As I recall, it's a pretty good movie. Maybe I'll find it tonight.

P.S. I don't really know too much about the context of troublesome development with the Bradley, but the ones our scouts had (mind you this is 2003+), they loved them.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/

Pentagon Wars is indeed a good movie, and an excellent analogy to the F-35's development story.

 

[Adept]

Speaking of the F 35s, the UK is in the process of completing the construction of two brand new aircraft carriers, they will presumably be sea worthy soon....WITHOUT the F 35s, i'm actually in favour of strengthening our navy, these carriers will be important for protecting the falklands and projecting power wherever necessary, but without the planes ? The USA seriously needs to sort out the F 35 project and the UK needs better military budget planning.

Step one, put in the damn steam catapults.

Step two, buy or produce under license the Rafales to fly off your new flat tops.

Profit.