correct link:
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-u-s-air-force-was-not-fond-of-the-next-gen-predator-drone-77cb9a3d10b8

I call bogus

on bad weather, I’ll bet GA installed de-icing systems, but more importantly with greaters speed and I’m guessing altitude, the Predator C can simply fly above or around bad weather, not always an option with the older models
on satellite signal, that’s a matter of programming. modern UAVs are programmed to fly in loops or return to base if the datalink is lost

hacking the video stream and jamming GPS can certainly be done. just as it can be done with every technology with a data link (satellites, F-35) or that uses gps (most aircraft, most air-to-ground weapons)
more importantly modern UAVs are equiped with INS technology, making GPS blocking a lot harder. and their data links use the same encryption as every other advanced weapon system

what seems the most absurd is the “withstand significant battle damage” argument, considering the F-35 probably can’t survive a few bullet holes

another USAF bureaucratic victory to protect the historic failure that is the F-35, the Windows Vista of aircraft

“War Is Boring” is probably the absolute bottom of the barrel in terms of quality of research and writing. It is written as if a celebrity gossip blog, simply crap… and that is saying something given that the Daily Beast is still out there.

just about any MAWS detect missile launches at similar ranges,
and the software will display direction on whatever display is being used on that particular fighter,
whats the fuss ?

Again, source?

At a minimum the Typhoon’s MAWs as an active radar based system wouldn’t have a prayer of detecting a launch at those ranges.

Only after radiation levels set off alarms at the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant in Sweden, over one thousand kilometers from the Chernobyl Plant, did the Soviet Union admit that an accident had occurred. Nevertheless, authorities attempted to conceal the scale of the disaster. For example, after evacuating the city of Pripyat, the following warning message was read on the state TV:

There has been an accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. One of the nuclear reactors was damaged. The effects of the accident are being remedied. Assistance has been provided for any affected people. An investigative commission has been set up.
—Vremya, 28 April 1986 (21:00)[60]

This was the entirety of the announcement of the accident. Tass then discussed Three Mile Island and other American nuclear accidents, an example of the common Soviet tactic of emphasizing foreign disasters when one occurred in the Soviet Union.

From Wikipedia…

and the suggestion that the “scorpion” could even be considered is utter rubbish…..but the Rafale, the EF or the Gripen NG sure could be, even the SH, maybe even SPECIFICALLY the SH, it is certainly a far better fit, an easier transition for both aircrews AND maintenance Hell, with our current CF188’s now being ON THE JOB till 2025, Canada could even luck out and grab dozens of SH’s right from the US Navy! at bargin basement prices for a better fitting plane for the RCAF

The Scorpion is by far the best option for Canada. All Canada needs is a plane that can fly out and ID the occasional Russian bomber. The Scorpion can do that!

They also could use an aircraft to conduct surveillance missions in the arctic. The Scorpion can do that!

It is not like Canada has to worry about fighting anyone, certainly not Russia. In coalition missions Canada can demonstrate its support with a Scorpion just as much as any other jet.

Canada needs a jet with two engines. The Scopion has two engines.

Best of all? The Scorpion is far cheaper than the alternatives. You could buy and operate several Scorpions for each 4th generation fighter. Even the Gripen is far too expensive compared to the Scorpion. It is time to reverse the force structure decimation brought on by expensive 4th generation jets. Canada should buy 200+ Scorpions. Why go fast when you can be everywhere at once already?

Wishful thinking. Korean competition has put a huge hole into that theory of yours. The F-35 is like an unbeatable heavyweight boxing champion, who unfortunately has lost his very first match and only was declared a winner after he shot the other boxer with a revolver.

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The whole Gen thing is bogus. You simply buy aircraft to fit your needs, not generations.

Even if you can’t grasp why the F-35 is a generation newer than its competitors, look at it this way… it is a design that first flew in 2006.

The Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen first flew in 1986, 1994, and 1988 respectively. ~20 years earlier.

Canada needs to define what its requirements are. If it doesn’t need supersonic flight and wants the cheapest possible twin-jet aircraft to patrol its airspace then a Scorpion might win. If it needs stealth and next-generation avionics then the F-35 is the only thing available.

Canada isn’t somehow obligated to lower their requirements to something one of the European planes can meet. It isn’t Canada’s fault that Europe has collectively decided to exit the fighter aircraft business.

That sounds awful lot like writing requirements tailored for a design already chosen behind a backdoor. It’s called corrupt practices where I live..

I have a hard time believing you really can’t grasp what is being discussed here. The F-35 has no direct competitors.

If Canada wants a modern 4th generation fighter then it has a whole range of options to choose from. As of today at least the F-15/16/18, Rafale, Typhoon, and Gripen are all available.

If Canada wants a 5th generation fighter then the only choice is the F-35.

It all comes down to where they want to set the bar. If they do the standard thing and issue requirements and then purchase the cheapest aircraft able to meet them then they could end up with anything from an original Gripen/FA-50/Scorpion to the F-35. Where to set the bar though? Do you need a supersonic aircraft? What about stealth?

Those figures accurate?……..I mean for LRIP 8 is it FACTUALLY 108 Million or is HOPED to be 108 Million……

…
JUST the COMPLETE cost right now……with the Engine, the support, upgrades contracts maintenence contract etc………does anyone actually know?……..

That is the contracted price, including the engine and everything you would need to fly the plane. No, maintenance and upgrades are likely not included in that price.

Looks like Canada is planning to buy its first four jets in LRIP-9, so figure 4-5% cheaper.

The Canadian government is preparing a letter for Congress outlining its plan to purchase four F-35 stealth fighters in 2017, according to briefing documents from the U.S. military.

U.S. Lt.-Gen. Chris Bogdan, head of the F-35 program, noted in an Oct. 27 briefing that the Canadian government expects to notify Congress by late November.

The move will involve juggling the F-35 schedule but the U.S. Air Force has agreed to that, Bogdan noted in the leaked briefing document.

Canada would take its first four aircraft in time period known as LRIP (low initial production rate) 9, the general added. LRIP 9 covers delivery of aircraft in 2017.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/u-s-says-canada-to-purchase-f-35-stealth-fighters-in-2017