Fighter Jet Program Vulnerable

[HangoutNewsBot]

To the military, the F-35 Lightning II is a "next generation" fighter jet; a technological leap meant to replace several aging fighters and help America maintain its dominance in aerial warfare. But the program's cost has grown substantially while the number of planes to be built has dropped.

Click Here to read the entire article (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,119909,00.html?ESRC=marinenews.RSS)

[gunga55]

The stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter is to be designated the F-35. The JSF is being built in three variants: a Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft (CTOL) for the US Air Force; a Carrier Variant (CV) for the US Navy; and a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. A 70%–90% commonality is required for all variants.

Marine Corps version slightly shorter range and slower due to STOVL
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/jsf/ has more info on the plane
Every thing that I've read has been good on this plane. Of course every thing that is availble to read about something before it enters production is from the manufacture so of course its good.

[Trapper]

So it is similar to the Harrier?

[gunga55]

a much improved harrier faster more manuverble and is supposed to be easier to fly

[Trapper]

I haven't flown either, so wouldn't know...

[gunga55]

I seen a pic one time...
when I was a boot I saw a couple land in the middle of the road I think the USMC had just picked them up. it was pretty cool.

[Trapper]

I saw some videos of them in flight doing verts, but never in person.

[hankhoffman]

You are talking about the Carolina Lawn Dart (AV8)