The Scud launches were detected by satellite, but sending that information to somebody who could actually do anything about it took so long that the launch vehicles had moved out by the time a strike could be mounted. Originally, the sats were intended for strategic ICBM early warning and not tactical BMs so the way of getting their data out into the theatre was improvised and slow.

That of course is precisely where the capability demonstrated by EODAS here becomes significant, because the F-35 can disseminate the information immediately over the local tactical data-link network to platforms in the area.

E-2D has the capability to detect theater ballistic missiles, albiet using a different technology.

From DoD blog / Colin Clark

“OSD Squeezes JSF Costs Harder

Frank Kendall, principal deputy undersecretary of dfense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told an international defense conference today that the Pentagon is “on the path” to buy 85 planes for the cost of 80.”

Looks like a savings of 6% – off of what number we don’t know yet…

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/09/08/osd-squeezes-harder-on-jsf-costs/#ixzz0yxRUrjFN

“How’s All That Validate-y Stuff Working Out For Ya?”

From ARES / Sweetman

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:c843ba0d-1405-4732-941c-fcd895fff670

The F-16 (A/B) began as an air superiority day fighter with little or no A-G capability. The -C/D’s introduced the multirole mission, integrating the ability to carry a wide range of munitions. Although the F-22A has a limited menu of A-G munitions that it can utilize, it is not a multirole fighter like the F-16C/D, F/A-18’s, future F-35’s, etc. – nor does it need to be.

Gen. Norton Schwartz: Part II – Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, discusses new weapons, saving money, and the future of the service with host Vago Muradian. (Sept. 5, 2010)

Towards the end of this segment, he talks about F-35. He notes that the CTOL version is doing well, and expects the LRIP-4 negotiations to conclude within a few weeks, saying it “appears” the pricing will come in below DoD estimates.

http://www.defensenewstv.com/video.php?bctid=602755096001#/Segments/Gen.+Norton+Schwartz%3A+Part+II/57636759001/52684858001/602745826001

I dont see anything in that article saying that the drive shaft wont get a replacement until 2012. I think you are speculating on a lot of things.

I don’t either, but it also wasn’t me who mentioned anything about drive shafts. I was merely providing a link re: F-35B’s ongoing and currently unresolved reliability problems and its impact on flight test. So no speculating on my part, and unfounded accusation on yours – try to tighten it up please.

I might also add that it seems like 5th generation fighters are moving away from using a dedicated AEW aircraft to a more network centered set up.
if you have 1 awac its a large target. if you have 5 stealthy F-35s widely separated and on different vectors, then what 1 sees they all see.
There was a lot of talk in a Lockheed presentation awhile back about F-22s/F-35s still lingering around after having used up there missiles to relay target data to legacy platforms.

Wow – that’s not going to happen with the USN. E-2C/D’s and successors are going to be around for another 40 years – probably more.

F-35B parts problems continue, may force test schedule restructure.

http://www.defencemanagement.com/news_story.asp?id=14032