Looks like the f22 production really is stopping

[caldera]

With the lack of any significant enemy at the moment we dont need any more then we already have.  And by the time we do have one. An even better plane will be developed.

I understand the desire to have more of these really cool weapon systems. I think they are cool too
But the reality is, Given our current enemies. We have other more pressing needs at the moment

It is crazy to be penny-wise and pound-foolish in matters of defense, espescially considering the runaway government spending (porkulus, bailouts, etc.).
Why would you not want the best possible weapon system available? The problem is that you really don't know what other nations have in the pipeline. How can you assume that what you have is going to be good enough tomorrow? Voluntarily allowing the air superiority gap to be closed when technologies of other nations are catching up, does not help our diplomatic power either. "Speak softly but carry a big stick". Upon discovering an enemy on par or even exceeding our capability is not the time to go back to the drawing board.

[JunkyII]

Bring back the Tomcat!

negative ghost rider, the carriers are full of super hornets

[TOMCAT21]

unfortunately, the shutting down of the F22 line is due to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan where the F22's abilities are not needed where as the F35 brings more to the fight.. It is all about money...however, as mentioned before, with China's military build up and tech advances..the F-22 should be procured in greater numbers... at least 300-400 would suffice...

[Spikes]

I want my F14 back

[TOMCAT21]

I hear ya there..spikes...

[Motherland]

unfortunately, the shutting down of the F22 line is due to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan where the F22's abilities are not needed where as the F35 brings more to the fight.. It is all about money...however, as mentioned before, with China's military build up and tech advances..the F-22 should be procured in greater numbers... at least 300-400 would suffice...

I've bought too much stuff that's made in China to be worried about things that are built in that country.

[TOMCAT21]

unfortunately Motherland, China has gotten some technology from the united states whether intentional or not...I do agree to an extent with you but  I would be cautious with china..

[Motherland]

Well, yeah, most stuff made in China is designed elsewhere. The problem is not that it's designed badly, but where it's made. In China.

If the pilot doesn't die of lead poisoning from the paint of his oxygen system first the aircraft will probably fall apart once it gets off the runway.

[Treize69]

See Rule #4

[Motherland]

(Image removed from quote.)

Racism? I'm just making jokes about the quality of goods that come out of the PRC. Which is usually poor.

I have no problem with the Chinese...

[Babalonian]

negative ghost rider, the carriers are full of super hornets

 

I do like the F-14, but the per-unit and maintenance costs of the F-14D are assanine compared to the F-18E/F/Gs... and if I take my friend's word (he was an AE in the Navy on the F-18C/Ds, but if someone has the actual numbers, I'd like to see them), the money the Navy would of spent (had it kept with the Tomcat until the introduction of the F-35 navy variant) upgrading and maintaining the newer F-14s would of instead bought them anywhere from 2-3 brand new F-35s or 3-4 Super Hornets.  While I miss the Tomcat, I do think the Navy is moving in the right direction... besides, Hornets are sexier IMO .

[TOMCAT21]

i was an AT, worked on 14's radar..all 3 cruises I made..over half the 18's were hangar queens.. we had 12 out of 14 tomcats up...not too mention 18 had a way inferior radar system...apg-65 could not hold a candle to the awg-9 or the apg-71...tomcat had range,speed,and payload.. 18's half to take off with half fuel load when loaded with ord and then tank up after launch. plus the 18's have issues with cracks in their wing roots.. -35 much improvement over the 18...15 and the 16 are aging and the F22 is a necessity..

[Babalonian]

i was an AT, worked on 14's radar..all 3 cruises I made..over half the 18's were hangar queens.. we had 12 out of 14 tomcats up...not too mention 18 had a way inferior radar system...apg-65 could not hold a candle to the awg-9 or the apg-71...tomcat had range,speed,and payload.. 18's half to take off with half fuel load when loaded with ord and then tank up after launch. plus the 18's have issues with cracks in their wing roots.. -35 much improvement over the 18...15 and the 16 are aging and the F22 is a necessity..

Tomcat, I thought the newer Super Hornets (Es/Fs/Gs) made improvements to the wingroot problems.  Have you heard anything about this issue still being common?

[TOMCAT21]

last time I talked to friends of mine from my old radar shop..they had still some issues.. I dont know if they had been corrected.super hornets had a slight improvement in range and the radar was still shorter range.....the Super Hornet is basically a gap filler until the F35 comes online..

[Spikes]

I do like the F-14, but the per-unit and maintenance costs of the F-14D are assanine compared to the F-18E/F/Gs... and if I take my friend's word (he was an AE in the Navy on the F-18C/Ds, but if someone has the actual numbers, I'd like to see them), the money the Navy would of spent (had it kept with the Tomcat until the introduction of the F-35 navy variant) upgrading and maintaining the newer F-14s would of instead bought them anywhere from 2-3 brand new F-35s or 3-4 Super Hornets.  While I miss the Tomcat, I do think the Navy is moving in the right direction... besides, Hornets are sexier IMO .

The F14 cost more, yes, and most people probably would pick cost over anything...

The F14 has a larger range w/o DT's than the Super Bug has with them.
Look at the AiM-54...designed specifically for the Cat as a long range A2A missle...(yes I know it is retired)
How many targets can the F-18 track and fire upon? All I know is that the F-14 can track up to 24 and fire on 6 of them.
Sure...the F-18 is more of a fighter...but wouldn't you rather have an enemy blown out of the sky instead of dog fighting him?

You must be sick to say the F-18 is sexier than the F-14.