55 billion (with a b) for an airplane that can't land...

[Wayne]

U.S. Marine aviation boss Brig. Gen. Matthew Glavy has said that there are no plans for the F-35B to perform vertical landings (VLs) in the UK, because the program has not finished testing the matting that’s needed to protect the runway from exhaust heat. (The program office, the Marines, and Lockheed Martin did not return emails about any part of this story.) It may sound like a simple issue, but it pops the lids off two cans of worms: the program’s relationship with the truth, and the operational utility of VL.

Sounds like good planning and spending to me... Isn't the JSF the plane that nobody wanted in the first place?

http://news.yahoo.com/stealth-jump-jet-t-094241674--politics.html

 

[Glaucus]

I read that yesterday. The tittle is perhaps a bit sensationalist though. The plane can land, the issue is that the vertical landing feature might cause damage to the landing surface, and if so, possibly to itself as well. However, one must also remember that VL feature is meant for use on smaller ships (not all nations can afford carrier fleets). The ships will have specially made surfaces that will allow it to land just fine.

I do have issues with this plane, and the VL feature does factor into that, but the plane can land.

 

[Wayne]

I understand the stretch of saying it can't land. That was the headline on the site where I found it.

It's better to say that it "can't land everywhere because their tarmac might not be able to handle it" but it's a serious concern about the heat's effect on the undercarriage of the plane, especially when you consider both fuel and ordinance are being carried nearby in, and on the wings.

Just never understood the concept of the Joint Strike Fighter as a war machine. "Let's get an advantage in war conditions by flying the exact same airplane as everyone else"... Sounds more like "Russia/China didn't play by those rules, so they win" to me.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Land it can do. Fly? At flying it's not so good.

 

[ltstanfo]

The F-35 has become the Air Force's version of the fiasco the Army had with the M2 Bradley IFV. This is what happens EVERY time you try to make a purpose designed vehicle into a "jack of all trades"... Does a bit of everything but master of none. They may eventually work out some of the kinks... if everyone is willing to wait... and pay...

Regards,
Ltstanfo

 

[the_leander]

Seems to me that many of the concerns mirror the development of the Kestrel, which in turn formed the basis for the Harrier.

The exhaust and heat issues were a massive issue in the early days of development was eventually solved be redesigning the nozzles.

Even the unfavourable comparisons to conventional aircraft echo the same complaints made against Harrier throughout its life.

It's an interesting history. (It's an old site, but it's very interesting none the less.)