Originally posted by Chairboy
Name some specific reasons why the F-35 is crap. Maybe I'm not reading the right stuff, but just because it doesn't supercruise doesn't mean that it's a piece of garbage.
The F-18 vs. Tomcat issue is different, there are big compromises and losses of capabillity from the switch. Are there equivalents to the F-35 and the aircraft it replaces?
The F-35 is slated to eventually replace EVERYTHING, and personally, i dont like it/ think its crap for several reasons:
1. Yes, its VTOL, but those moving parts are vulnerable to either getting shot (The slidding, non solid parts are weaker than flush metal), or corroding! This is going to be a NAVAL FIGHTER with A LOT of holes! Didnt they learn anything about environmental effects from the AH-64 Appache?!? And that VTOL capability requires a ****t load of maintenance, and from the naval crew cheifs and pilots i know, i predict that 2 years after the VTOL model enters service, all of the VTOL systems will either have been individually removed at the pilot/crew cheifs request, or have corroded beyond the ablility to function, and be sealed and locked.
2. Its supposed to be stealthy right? Anyone notice the BIG, UN-COVERED ENGINE IN THE BACK?!? thats a heat seaking MAGNET!!!! You ever have a heat seaker aiming for a carrier, just fly an F-35 1 mile away from the carrier, the missile will go for it! Thats got to leave a HUGE heat signature. The B-2s, F-22s, F-117s, notice something about the engines? The exposed parts are very small. they are pretty much just vents, with the hot part hidden inside. Not so with the F-35.
3. This is going to be a multi-role aircraft, and i never trust any multi roles, because to make it a decent anti-ground, they must take away some of the anti-air capability.
4. Single pilot on a multi role/too hi tech. This aircraft is extremely hi tech. As such, there will be huge bugs, most without precedent, and if you are trying to attack a ground target and your multi million dollar weapons targetting system fails (Hmmm, like the APPACHES AND SAND?!?), and you are the only one in there, what do you do? Theres no Wizzo to help out, and knowing todays military, you will probably have had less than 5 minutes of lecture on how to manually aim these bombs, how do you continue the sortie? In the F-15 (my favorite aircraft), the E model, you have a Wizzo to help out. Thats much more effective.
Now, i know a lot of you are saying "Well, what about the F-22. Its a multi role! It has no Wizzo, and its new too!", Well, im not much a fan of the 22 either. Im just happy the air force is considering doing away with their own model of aircraft, and possible receiving the F-35 all together, so i wont have to fly one, and by the time i make pilot, those bugs will hopefully be worked out. But for those first few F-35 pilots: May god be with you. You are going to need it!
Is that enough evidence for you?
