Reminder! They still haven't told us how the F-35 vs Advanced Super Hornet comparison came out!

Just a reminder.

Mattis commissioned a study comparing the Advanced Super Hornet to the F-35 in Navy use.  The report was to be completed poste haste.

Don't believe me?  Click here and read the news for yourself.  A tidbit from the article.

Defense Secretary James Mattis is ordering a Pentagon review to compare the capabilities and cost between the emerging carrier-based Lockheed Martin F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter and an upgraded version of the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, according to a memo obtained by USNI News.

The three-paragraph directive orders Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work to, “oversee a review that compares F-35C and F/A-18 E/F operational capabilities and assesses the extent that F/A-18E/F improvements (an advanced Super Hornet) can be made in order to provide a competitive, cost effective, fighter aircraft alternative.”

The memo also directs Work to look at the overall F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to find opportunities to significantly reduce cost while maintaining the requirements for the program.

The Work reviews are set to inform upcoming budget decisions, read the memo.

In a Friday statement to reporters, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said, “this is a prudent step to incorporate additional information into the budget preparation process and to inform the secretary’s recommendations to the president regarding critical military capabilities.”

The reality?

This decision was to inform future budget choices.  The report has NOT been released but the budget has.

The US Navy is spending it's money on Super Hornets, not F-35s.  Is that decision based on being informed by the report that the Advanced Super Hornet (you'll notice that the Super Hornet is getting selected bells and whistles from that initiative) is the steed of choice for them considering all factors?

Well you know the saying.

Money talks, bullshit walks.

The Navy is saying that for carrier aviation the Super Hornet fills its needs. So why point out the obvious?  To settle the raging debate about the F-35 in Navy service.

The USMC/RN/RAF and others are all on the F-35 because its clearly a step forward from the Harrier.  The USAF is still infatuated by an all stealth force...but the Navy?  Not so much faith in the F-35.