I know this has been done time and time again, but as the final and long-awaited decision is due very very soon (I here October 26th, what have you guys heard?), I think it’s time for all of us to place our bets as to:
a) who we think will win
b) who we’d like to win (if your choices differ at all…)
Personally, I think the X-35 design will win (and thus be further developed into the F-24), their test program was more adventurous and the LM team really showed off the capabilities of the aircraft.
The X-35B has substantially more thrust than its Boeing sibling (although it _is_ a heavier aircraft, one of the heaviest single-engined fighters ever built I think) and thus probably displays more room for future growth (have a look at the F-16 today…).
Boeing claims their design is stealthier, but I think with F-22s in the air, stealth may not be as big a consideration as it was with the ATF contest.
And finally, the X-35 looks more conventional :). I’m not sure if that’s gonna really do it for it, but it’s got everything else going right anyway…
MinMiester
PS: Anybody wanna start guessing at what name the winning design will get?
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September 10, 2001 at 5:51 am