That’s my point exactly.

if just a little bit less functionality can save huge costs and bring it back on track, maybe that is a solution.

The analogy to this is the M400, where – finally – South Africa pulled out, claiming their down payment back. Loss of faith in the project.

Whether it was based on cost (just becoming way too expensive), too ambitious, too late in the day for the needs planned for it, or other reasons can be another discussion.

Are we getting closer to that with the F-35 in terms of the smaller nations?

Surely they must also be evaluating the “probation” and other messages coming out of DoD/LM.

Ivan

Are the export orders starting to be dicey now due to the delays?

Would the overseas costumers start to doubt the project? do we still have a margin there?

I know it is complex and it is to be expected with cost and time over runs. but…

How does it compare to the Super Hornet project, the Super Hornet being basically a new design anyway (I do like the Super Hornet a lot better than the F-35, sorry).

Ivan

As a layman: The F-35 is now coming across as a compromise and it looks as though it is into “bad” engineering.

It shows the Super Hornet as a more “wholesome” a/c, maybe because the Super Hornet was not intended to be “all things to all men”.

Things like broken spars and weight considerations in the middle of the development phase do not show attention to detail and forward planning.

Some engineering problems and issues must be expected, but the issues right now seem to be of a very fundamental level and should surely not show up now.

“fixes” are probably un-avoidable, but are we into where the “fixes” cover fundamental flaws? Broken spar? No worry, I have fixed it, it took a few weeks Screetch? No worry, Fixed in 2 weks. Drive shaft? come back in an hour and i have a fix. Would anybody buy a car like that?

Is the end result getting off target in terms of original specification and what will it do to exports? If just one of the export costumers should back off, will the project die?

Does LM still see the thousands of a/c being generated? or are we into curtailing the orders into small numbers bringing the entire project into the red?

Could it be time to dust off the X-32 (the Sailor Inhalor), the worst designed a/c of all times, making fun of a serious fighter proposal by its weird design.

Just a thought

Ivan

One can only wonder if the

Without too much knowledge on Canada, I am getting more and more impressed with the Super Hornet. The F-35 programme just seems too complex lengthy, costly and in the end just too late for anything.

if Australia could settle on the Super Hornet, why not Canada?

reg,

Ivan

…But if the F-35’s problems are NOT sorted in 2 years (cracking spars, etc etc), then what? and if Mr. Gates statements will now endanger the B-version?

It does look as though US Defence can be in serious problems suddenly.

Strangely enough, as also others have pointed out, the Super Hornet is coming in more and more as the best alternative to now everything.

Ivan

Did they repaint them? bl*** agents.

And the Hartebees as well, then?

ivan