here is some more
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/f22-raptors-return-desert-training-middle-east

The pilots, who are part of the 27th Fighter Squadron of Langley’s 1st Fighter Wing, spent most of the deployment carrying out simulated combat missions at a training center in the United Arab Emirates, the Air Force said. They practiced against military pilots from Pakistan, Jordan, France and Britain.

The exercise proved that desert conditions such as harsh sand storms and high temperatures don’t diminish the Raptor’s capabilities, said Lt. Col. Lance Pilch, the squadron’s commander.

“In every test we did, the Raptors just blew the competition out of the water,” Pilch said. “Their stats were off the chart.”

Now four years into its operational life, the Raptor is the Air Force’s newest fighter jet. It’s known for its maneuverability, speed and advanced electronics. But the aircraft also has been criticized for its slow development, lack of a clear mission and escalating price. At $143 million per plane, the Raptor is the military’s most expensive fighter

The Swiss is a neutral country and isn’t going to engage anyone, so there there is no need for an overly expensive stealth striker.

if they were that neutral, they wouldnt have brought the fa-18 in the first place, which at the time was a high capability choice

What would the Swiss want with the F-35?

exactly, the gripen may fill all their needs, it depends if they want a more capable strike force when the fa-18’s are finished

if the talk is true, the pres wants rafale, the bean counters want gripen and the airforce want superh

then this may not be what ya want to hear, or is just more game playing
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aereo.jor.br%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Flula-confirma-que-decisao-sobre-cacas-ficara-para-2010%2F

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed on Monday that the federal government in 2010 will leave the decision on the purchase of 36 fighter jets to the Brazilian Air Force.

Yes they may have notional plans, but if there anything like the plans they have now, then don’t expect real planning for a twin seater any time in the next decade.

Remember who your dealing with these people expected a $35m fighter in 2010, they presently have no plans for a twin.
Plus with the extra testing/funding required for a twin has no chance in the present JSF climate.

I don’t expect that to change for several years.

The Ucav’s you mentioned earlier would be virtually autonomous, and not get the benefit of a WSO who can do the strategy without being distracted by flying and staying alive, this would mean an offboard operator on the wegetails or ground based.

Cheers

i disagree and we are just going in circles, the main designers jobs are finished with the f-35abc and they are now on other products
re the uav, of course its a systems event with the f-35 as a core as per 2025 planning
i guess you dont think the 100kw laser weapon for the f-35 will ever happen either

we have 6 subs that will fire cruise missiles, we run the latest fire control system of the usn subs
we have also sent uav’s over the neighbours
the f-35 will act as queen for the hive of uav’s
you all ready know my opinion on the f-35 and i know yours, so lets just agree to disagree

carlo has delusions of adequacy

kopp wants to keep it forever, i’m quite happy to scrap it, its long over due
its normally the aussie idea to have superior force in our region and not need to use it, the f111 was a center point of this for many years and i take an opposite view to you
there isnt much we agree on, is there