conom06d
Flying circles around VWs
I actually think the 22 wasn't worth the manpower nor the money spent for production. That money could have easily just been tossed back into the 15 air frame. Beef up ordinance or avionics. The 15 is still a top contender.
ehh...that platform is very old now. It is one thing for an old bomber like the b-52 cuz the ordinance carried can be upgraded significantly (i.e. cluster bombing to multiple long range guided bombs/missiles). A fighter needs to be state of the art in all areas since they may be used to dogfight (not that anyone really has an air force of any kind lol).
yeah but aren't they supposed to be phasing them out for the f-35 or what ever the jsf project is being called.
No, the JSF is retiring the F-16 for the air force, harrier for marines, and is going to accompany the F-18 for the navy. The navy version is going to be a joint attack role with the F-18
Just a wild guess, but they're probably canceling the F-22 because there's no need for having more than one platform for all of the services. I think the multi-purpose F-35 JSF is a lot more practical. It was designed to be more versatile across all the services. Most of the parts will be usable and interchangeable with different versions of the same aircraft.
Again, just a wild guess.
Edit: godsten just beat me to it.
that is the main reason they are making the JSF. Cheaper since the parts are interchangeable under most scenarios. This isnt the first time done. The F-4 Phantom II was similar in that all branches used it. Same with the F-86 Sabre if i'm not mistaken. As true as this is, it is most likely not their reasoning for canceling the F-22 early. The F-22 would be the air force support aircraft for this plane. I think they would only cancel it because they are needing to cover their asses and find money from a "not highly looked at" program somewhere. I mean....who is really going to notice, or care for that matter, if the F-22 stops being built unless you are someone who follows aviation, or browses an VW off topic forum.