I know the harrier had limitations, but is the JSF really all singing and dancing? Will the new carriers support CTOL, as VTOL used far too much fuel?
2007-09-10 11:30:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It's made by a consortium of Lockheed-Martin, Northrop-Grumman and BAE Systems.
Is it any good? That depends on what configuration you're talking about and who are you asking.
Tha F-35A, the USAF version is an expensive replacement for
F-15E Strike Eagles and ground attack versions of the F-16, planes that don't need to be replaced. The conventional wisdom is that the USAF will end up not buying them in favor of buying more F-22s.
The F35B is critical to the USMC. Without them they can't really provide close air support for Marine ground forces mission. The USN would love to keep the Marines from getting them because then they can get Marine F-18 squadrons on their carriers with their cost paid from the USMC buget and not theirs.
In addition, the British Navy needs them for their new Queen Elizabeth class carriers as they are the only planes that can operate off them now that the Harrier's are being retired. BAE Systems is a partner and the British have put a lot of money into the development. If they don't get made the Royal Navy is going to be in a world of trouble.
The F-35C is the USN version. The problem is that it's not much better than the misnamed F-18E/F which is much larger than the F-18A/B/C/D versions.
In short, F-35A is not really needed, nor is the F-35C. The Navy doesn't want the F-35B built but the Marines and the Royal Navy HAVE to have them.
2007-09-10 12:10:08 · answer #1 · answered by lokisgodhi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The JSF is a joint project between Lockheed, Northrup and BAe Systems. Hence the name 'Joint Strike Fighter'.
All 3 air arms in the US will get the F35 (airforce, Navy and Marines) and so will the RAF and RN.
There are 3 variants (A,B and C).
The A will be the CTOL version for the US Airforce. Its the most manouverable and has the greatst range due to the space the lift engine being used for fuel and a fixed gun.
The RAF and RN will be getting the B version. Its the V/STOL version but its still the same size as the A version to operate from smaller carriers.
The C version is for the US Navy and is the largest version. It has huge folding wings.
As for perfomance, think of it as a hovering F16 with similar situational awareness to the Typhoon (weapons, radar capability, data links etc). Its not a stealth aircraft but it has extensive low observable characteristics.
It hovers itself and its supersonic. With the Typhoon, its the perfect replacement for the Tornado and the Harrier.
The QE2 class carriers will be fitted for V/STOL operations which would limit them to Harriers, JSF, helicopters etc. But they are designed to be quickly and easily modified for CTOL operations due to the offset landing strip and steam catapult fittings already built in.
With a ramp at the front of the carrier STOL launches use the same fuel and can be done with the same weights as a conventional launch.
2007-09-11 08:06:56 · answer #2 · answered by futuretopgun101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lockheed Martin. The F-35 is about 1000 times better than the harrier but still has its problems.
2007-09-10 19:18:23 · answer #3 · answered by Michael W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lockheed Martin makes it...performance is yet to be determined.
2007-09-10 18:38:33 · answer #4 · answered by Snowdog1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋