"Absolutely, die in a ditch, we need this airplane."-Gen Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps.Uh. Wow.
I mean geez. I wonder if his wife ever heard him speak with such emotion when he talks about her.
I've never heard him express the same thoughts about the need to keep strong infantry battalions...to get the amphibious combat vehicle...etc. Marine Corps procurement is jacked up because leadership has a myopic view of things. Future Marines will suffer because of the failings of the current Commandant.
Die in a ditch because we need this airplane? You first sir. I'd rather get what we can afford and live to fight another day.
In case of prolonged conflict F-22 losses will be irreplaceable since its cannot be produced anymore, and eventually it will be F-15/16/18 vs MiG-29, Su-27, and thats means heavy losses.
ReplyDeleteOr a volley of Tomahawks from a SSGN pastes most of the enemy air force when it is still in the bases, then a B-2 wipes out most of the remaining shelters. Then the best trained air to air pilots in the world, the USAF, enters the fray and we find out that our planes and pilots still completely outclass the opposition.
DeleteWe are right to be skeptical of the abilities of our equipment, why do we accept at face value that Chinese and Russian equipment is automatically better than ours?
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DeleteIts not about better equipment, its about comparable equipment. For example fifth-gen fighters like russian 27/29 is pretty well capable to fight with NATO 15/16/18 and inflict casualties. And F-22 by any means is not invincible, F-22 can be shot down at the price of five 27/29, but F-22 can not be replaced and 27/29 can be produced in large numbers any time.
DeleteWhile degenerated rossiani army can not inflict total damage to NATO forces by any means, with exception of slowly corroding nuclear arsenal, it is still capable to inflict unacceptable damage. Pseudo-5-gen PAK FA fits right in this concept it can fight toe to toe with upgraded 15/16/18 and pose a considerable threat to F-22. Without mass producing F-35 or other AV which will supercede fifth-gen fighters, unacceptable losses is almost guaranteed.