I don’t see why more Supers aren’t simply bought and cancel the F-35C?

It seems the least important of the 3x F-35 models to me, particularly with USN already focused on X-47 UCAV programs for LO penetrating and long-ranged strike capability.

I would add that cancelling the F-35C will allow for greater engineering effort, free up project management capabilities and development funding to then be utilised on the more challenging -B variant and allow the production facilities to streamline onto only 2 models and build these quicker than they could have built 3x separate models and replace legacy aircraft sooner, saving a bundle of cash in the process?

USN can get some -B models to fly off their carriers to provide a less than optimal but better than nothing VLO fighter capability and maintain complete commonality with USMC.

USN would then operate larger numbers of Supers and Growlers, with a defined upgrade path to keep them relevant in future years. In times of financial strife, the USN could easily make do with a bit less range and a bit less ordnance (though still plenty of each) from it’s new fighter. All the other capabilities will be the same…

So whats the salary these days for a Boeing sales rep??? 😉

Offensive national stereotypes aside, the present Queen is still head of state in all sorts of places, including the land of whingeing, culture-less antipodean boozehounds, crims and sheep worriers…….. :p

How dare you sir, I shall have to inform you that we have exported all our “sheep worriers” to a god forsaken islands about 1000 miles off eastern seaboard. :D:D:D

I also have a sneaky hunch that America tacitly supports procurement from Serbia if it helps normalise Serbian industry by bringing in hard currency.

Possibly. Serbian military complex produces sort of equipment that are favorites amongst various guerilas and rebels that CIA has supported in the past. With likes of Romania , Bulgaria and Checz Rep. with in EU and obliged by EU export regulations, Israel and Ukraine “too hot”.. USA would be hard pressed to find too many source of arms it can supply to various interests at “hands off” method that is fully deniable. 😎

Having spoken with machinist at UTVA, he is gob smacked that Iraq is paying for these… According to him investment into UTVA facility has been fat zero over last 10 years, with directors and workers having to “scrounge” in every way possible just to keep it running. Hopefully some of that 230 million will go to facility and not for “Strategic Transportation invenstments for substancial increase in governmental efficiency”… or in simpler terms.. new ministerial BMWs.

All claims to Antarctic Shelf are boloney.. Japan has (rightly) ignored Australian argument that they are hunting whales in territorial waters.. and as much as ALL land claims to continental shelf are boloney , claims by French, Russians, Americans, British and other NORTHERN hemisphere nations are boloney^2.

Should say Chinese one day decide to construct large facility somewhere on the shelf, there is no legal or any other justifiable method of preventing them.

Falklands are different mater since there is significant population there, a population that should be able to determine for it self in democratic way, whether or not it wishes to be part of Argentina , UK or self governed. Should oil and gas be found off shore, third option would be the best. Declare independence so your profits are not going to her Majesty, sell you drilling rights to say… Americans.. invite USN to open a base with few token personnel stationed there .. that should keep Argies at bay. As much as they got trounced by Brits, messing with Uncle Sam is a much more terrifying concept.

Finally people of Falklands could invite Saudis and Kuwaities to tech them how to live obscenely and irresponisbly of oil money without any thought of future beyond horizon.. screw Norwegians and their inteligent monetary policy 😀

Either Russia or China.. depending on how you classify “variations of aircraft” as new types or different model of same type… ie Su27 and su30 ro Su30 and J11 etc

Putin should learn to keep his shirt on & his mouth shut

.. hunting Siberian Tigers with shirt on… is so unmanly…. :D:D:D