I like many of the 3rd gen more than the later gens.

The 688-class was tasked with the giuk gap, why commit the Invincible class carriers to that role?

The U.S. is not short of money at any level of government if you read the CAFR reports for each entity. It’s almost insane how the foxes run the henhouse; the business managers scream when the chickens run short on eggs when they clearly have more hens to make as many as they want. You have to take budgets with a grain of salt when a majority of the money in the U.S. is tied up in non-budgetary funds.

I wonder how simply getting F-35B is going to turn whole navies around. I really doubt that simply getting this asset is going to make the smaller flat tops any more capable in the grand scheme of things. The F-35B doesn’t really seem like a leap of capability when you figure what it loses once it goes vtol. Does the F-35B even have a stol capability off a ramp?

This is fist i hear that Iran and Taliban are colaborating.. if anything they have been enemies for 20 years… but strange times make strange bed fellows.

The Mujahideen and the Taliban as allies? Heresy. Stick to your guns because they do not support one another. Scooter has confused topics a lot around here. He probably still even thinks the Taliban is a single solitary entity.

If they put an afterburner on the Hawk it makes it interesting.

If you assume that the basic shape is fine due to the attention given to the LO attributes, any changes would likely be mostly under the surface in the form of systems or avionics. There could be some airframe changes insofar as maybe using different materials, but don’t expect a drastic rethinking of the design.

I personally think they need to expand the F-22 to a new version and an export version. Instead of using the f119 they should make an export version with the f135 or f136. That way the partner countries buying F-35 have an F-22 option that is palatable to Congress.

They really need to begin a new design of the F-22 to bring down the costs and to improve on its standard design. I’m sure the near fifteen year old design can use a little rework. They should be distinguished with a new designation like F-22B or F-22C. Since there were no two-seaters the F-22B moniker would be fine. But to continue to build virtually the same aircraft – when technology has changed dramatically – makes little sense.

MisterQ-

While you would have more range and higher speeds, the latter works against you in the coin role. You want time on station and the ability to operate independently when you meet a target of opportunity, therefore you want a useful payload.

Gary Cain-

The T700 turboshaft engines come in a 2600 shp variety if you really need some insane amounts of power. I figure the baseline T700 models already used by the Army would make more sense. Used in a pair, separated by a blastwall and firewall, would offer a survivable plan form, too. I think the advantages of the turboshaft in maintenance, weight, and availability make them pretty attractive power plants.