Since there are already design solutions to the F-35C’s hook problem I guess this will be as big a non issue as the melting flight decks of LHDs…

Or that other non-issue called weight that was resolved by the 2004 redesign.
Without that redesign we might have ended with a clean Dave A crossing the 13,2 ton instead of 12+ ton, or a clean Dave B reaching the 15 ton instead of 13,5 ton , or (God forbides) a clean Carrier Dave reaching for the 16 ton mark instead of 13,6 ton!

Wait a minute…
What was it called? The CWIP?

Can’t see them cancelling the order. The USN will want it sorted so they can have theirs too.

If there´s one service that has noot particulary vocal on the defense of the “Dave”, thats the US Navy.

Much over-classification arises from official rules rather than conspiracy.

I heard a glorious example during the Cold War era. A UK aviation journalist (now deceased) had seen a rather nice pic taken from an RN helicopter showing a then-new Soviet surface combatant. Could he have a copy for publication?

No.

Why not?

The photo is classified Secret.

Why?

It was taken during an intelligence-gathering mission. All information gathered during an intelligence-gathering mission is automatically classified as Secret.

Why?

Because we don’t want to give the Soviets any clues as to our intelligence-gathering capability.

But the Soviets know that this photo was taken – it was taken in day time and they will have seen this RN helicopter hovering a few hundred yards from their ship.

Yes.

You can see on the Soviet ship a photographer who is taking a photo of our helicopter.

Yes.

That Soviet picture will show the RN cameraman who took our picture.

Yes.

So the Soviets will be able to estimate the focal length of the lens the RN used to take this picture.

Yes.

So the Soviets will be able to predict exactly what this RN picture shows.

Yes.

So how can a photo whose contents are known to the other side be considered a secret ?

Because all information gathered during an intelligence-gathering mission is automatically classified as Secret.

Thats hilarious… 😀

Without trying to lift the veil of your identity, your style of writing sometimes has a lot of similarities with the eighties texts of Roy Braybrook.

Cheers 🙂

It would be outrageous if they did. Perhaps if you combine the over-runs in the initial development of the Gripen, Rafale or Eurofighter (individually, not combined) and then added any AESA radar delays etc to this timeframe, the F-35 issues might not seem so bad, overall?

What over-runs in the initial development of the Gripen?

The F.Mk 3 has been replaced by the F-15C

29 Squadron disbanded in 2007. 34 Squadron converted to the F-15.

So far, the Tranche 2 Typhoons have replaced F-5Es with 3 and 10 Squadrons. Some of the remainder of the 72 aircraft initial order may be delivered to Tranche 3 standards, but this is not certain.

The remaining Typhoon units are likely to be given ex-F-5E unit numberplates.

Currently, the RSAF fast jet force has 12 Squadrons (the two F-5 units having almost certainly gone)
70 F-15S – 3 Squadrons
c.70 F-15C/D – 4 Squadrons
70 Tornado TSP – 3 Squadrons
24 Typhoon – 2 Squadrons

Since the Saudi Armed Forces are all expanding dramatically (by about 100%), and since the RSAF is expected to get 450-500 NEW aircraft, we can assume that the Fast Jet force will come close to doubling, and that we will eventually see:

150 F-15SE – 6-8 Squadrons
70 Typhoon – 3 Squadrons
70 Tornado TSP – 3 Squadrons

Plus six further Squadrons – probably from further Typhoon, and perhaps F-15, buys.

I stand corrected, thanks for the clarification.

I’m aware of that but while the EF T1s actually replaced the Jaguars, the F-22 replaced only the F-15A/Bs, so it might not be an apples to apples comparison.

Good point.

How would that look?

Like a complete new aircraft. Not feasible for such low numbers.

Cheers

Its official, Embraer just released that the Super Tucano was choosed by the Usaf for the LAS programm

Official press release here:

http://www.embraer.com/pt-BR/ImprensaEventos/Press-releases/noticias/Paginas/SUPER-TUCANO-VENCE-CONTRATO-DE-DEFESA-NOS-EUA.aspx

Congratulations for Embraer.