Darn. Too much safety with the display nukes. I want to see a B-52G in early 80’s paint setup as if it is on alert with a big “Cocked” sign on the AC side and extra, external chaff attached, all the red “remove before flight flags” in. 😀 ( oh yeah and really leaking hydralic fluid as if it is ready to go.)

….

..

Originally posted by Vortex
what 1Euro is now worth 1.5 dollars? (50%)…man…missed the chance to make a profit. :rolleyes:
As to F16Block60’s price, consider that the initial customer paid for ALL the major development costs for the upgrades so whoever purchase it next is getting a really really great deal. Wouldn’t be surprised that some countries will quickly opt for this in the next few years and delay their JSF purchase so the initial users can iron out the problems in service…sounds very smart to me. As to comparing UCAVs to JSF, please the US won’t be UCAV capable in the realistic sense (arming something like a predator with hellfire is not a UCAV since this term is coined very recently for specific characteristics while doing what predator did has been done during Vietnam and earlier) until at least 2015…and that’s the US, now anybody else with that kind of capability will have to wait until 2025 at least…so JSF does represent the “next” generation for any airforce (US included) while UCAV is the generation after next at best. hype hype hype…and i’m a UCAV lover so no “manned” agendas here 😀

Except the way in which we “sell” the F-16, if you want to call it that, makes for a sweet deal. A big chunk of the Polish deal is picked up by the U.S. taxpayer in one shape or another.

As for UCAVs: The JSF assuming it is worthy will take a while to field. An X-45 UCAV could be fielded in the same time frame. Problem: Not the technology but the amount of funding direction.

Except for a few exceptions, owning and operating a MiG-29, is a red flag that your air force as a whole has problems all the the way accross the board: Funding, Leadership, Organizational Skills.

Yeah its amusing to get a laugh or two out of the anti-american crowd here.

😮

Still don’t know all the quirks of the JSF ( sensitive maintenance intensive stealth coating like a B2? ) ( real world use ) I think for some of the customers EF2000 is more than enough, especially if you aren’t into expeditionary warfare. Make the next leap ahead for high risk offensive strike by fielding an X-45 like, UCAV air frame. Much lower peace time operating costs than a JSF and in many cases just as much offensive strike punch vs. high risk targets and no aircrew risk. That combined with the Euro cruise missles that EF2000 will carry and you will be in great shape with a good team ( EF2000 and UCAV )