Tongue in cheek Goon and Bill!
Relax...its all in good fun!
Anyway this news from Defense Update and my buddy Spudman must be having the haters ready to kill...Read it and weep...
Japan Self Defense Air Force future replacement of F-4J fighters (F-X) is becoming a head-to-head competition between the two American aerospace giants, Boeing and Lockheed martin, offering the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and an advanced variant F/A-18 Super Hornet. Tokyo is expected to make a decision next month. Besides the two fighters’ operational capabilities Japan is likely to give high marks for involvement of domestic companies.The rest is here...
SIDENOTE; WHAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING IS THIS...WHICH F-35 VERSION WILL BE OFFERED TO REPLACE THE F-4'S???? I WOULD BET THE F-35C SINCE THE F-4 HAD A PRIMARY ANTI-SHIPPING MISSION BUT THIS WILL BE TELLING. IF THEY WOULD BY CHANCE (AND YES ITS WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART, BUT MIGHT FIT FUTURE DEFENSE TRENDS) PICK THE F-35B AND MAKE THE LHD'S THAT THEY HAVE ANTI-SHIP CRUISERS THEN THE PROGRAM WILL BE COOKING WITH GAS!
It would be Awsome for the jdf to use the f35b as it would help with the push over the hill for all the nay sayers. I just don't see them needing the b version, if they have been using f4's I just see them using the a or c versions. The c just because of the heavy cooperation with the usn.
ReplyDeleteSol did you see last weeks article in the Marine Times about some major pushing for a f22 backup plane.
I say the A with B maybe later on for their "helicopter" carriers.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess the an F-35J would look more like a 'C' model, assuming they place a priority on range. If they put the priority on unit cost I'd expect the A model. But I wouldn't be surprised if there were a briefing or two floating around in the JMSDF postulating the use of F-35Bs on the Hyuga Class.the commonality of the F-35 may induce more than one buyer to aquire a mix of types if they see a need. I have no idea if the hangar deck and elevators can handle the B, but I've heard the Hyuga can take the Chinook, so who knows. I would read a selection of the F-18E/F as a very bad sign - not of the aircraft selection, but of what would have to be a near-panic fear in Japan that they would need the aircraft (China anyone?) before they could train up and mature a F-35J force. It will be an interesting selection process-- no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteJon...
ReplyDeleteagreed on the C model but boy do i want them in B's...and you're right it would be a major league plus for the F-35 backers...
Spudman...
if they go with A's then they're gearing up for a fight with china...an old fashioned dogfight kinda fight...
SMSgt Mac...
totally agree on your points and especially with the Hyuga being able to handle Chinooks. from what i've read its rated to be able to operate Harriers with no problem and the latest at sea testing shows that if it can handle Harriers it can handle F-35's. the best part is that the F-35 is easier to handle below decks than the Harrier. no one noticed that part but its critical. never thought about what the Super Hornet buy would mean but its a chilling thought and makes this a must watch contest.
The 600nm combat radius of the F-35A is plenty to cover the entire area covered by the Sea of Japan and a lot of empty ocean to the East.
ReplyDeleteThe F-35C gives you less than a 100nm bump in range, losses 1.5g in maneuverability, has no internal gun, and costs about $20 million more per airframe. It also will not go IOC till at least 1-2 years after the F-35A.