Ping.
Why not bring the F-22 back into production, drop the F-35, and build some more A-10’s?
I assume you missed the news the A-10’s are back to something like 2040. All will be outfitted with new wings, avionics and weapons control. Gone will be looking through the lens of a Maverick for IR targeting at night. Actually, those in the fleet were already enhanced to better than the Maverick which was something the pilots adapted to when called into service for the first Gulf War.
I think I will leave the question of what the military needs to those who develop long and short term military strategy for a living. While I am not a huge fan of the the F-35, taking military procurement and readiness advice from a political pundit is laughable.
Corruption breeds corruption...they should cancel this contract and launce an immediate investigation by a non partisan prosecutor....maybe even a special prosecutor. Nothing will change until some people are prosecuted and jailed!!
Sometimes older, proven technology doesn't necessarily make for a bad choice. Low tech paired with low prices means you can buy in higher volume.
The B-52 which was developed in the early 1950's has gone through upgrades that will extend it's service life until about 2044.
Other weapons such as the M-2 Browning 50 cal machine gun has been around since 1919, and there is no indication that it will be taken out of service any time soon.
Another example is the M-1911-A2 which has obviously been in use since 1911 in one form or another. The pistol, which was replaced by the m-9 9mm Beretta (which was like replacing a new Lincoln with a 1974 Ford Pinto), and is being brought back into service.
New doesn't necessarily mean better or even adequate. If Trump and/or his SEC DEF want to take a look at weapons systems, all i've got to say is "It's about time!"
Genius - I consider Trumps response about the F35 and F18 Super Hornet the same thing we do at the car dealer. Did not like how things were going at the Porsche dealer, so we tell the guy we are going to take a walk over to Audi and see what they say. Classic negotiation, always keep at least 2 things on the table. The Govt has never worked like this, winning
Trump was being interviewed by hannity earlier this year and was concerned about the reports that said the pilots said it didn’t handle as well as other fighter jets
Ed is a dumbass
The meeting with Lockheed Martin was attended by my count 5 three and four star generals that exited the building while Trump was standing by the door talking to a Fox reporter. They were not smiling, not one of them
I think that in the presence of the Lockheed Martin CEO, Trump made it clear to the generals and colonels (I counted 15 people in the air force exit stream) that they need to get their act together and get purchasing people that know what the hell they are doing.
The same for the 747. Bells and whistles that have bells and whistles need to be culled.
I think the meeting was not to chastise the CEO’s but rather the Air Force leadership that has programs totally out of control. While not a full blown riot act, Trump conveyed the message that the Air Force was not only complicit but the primary cause for excess costs
The 2019 cost of an F-35 is slated to be $88 million- just about what an upgraded F-18 will cost.
Trump is just negotiating with the sharks at LMCO to get the best possible price - they play hardball so it's best to have the bat in your hands when dealing with them.
Smart move to start a bit of competition
I believe this is part of Trump’s negotiating skills. Rush just said we are now going to get “2” air force ones instead of 1 for the same money. Funny what a face to face meeting with Boeing can accomplish.
Update the F-15. There has been a lot of effort to modernize the platform. No STOVL, but some stealth and a better A-A fighter.
The money is insignificant compared to the time and expense for replacements lost to enemy action.
These miracles of technology are too important to go into combat - and hence are useless, actually worse than useless.