JSF Program Improving, Still In Crosshairs

Apr 15, 2008
Michael Fabey/Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

While the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program’s recent Selected Acquisition Report points to some cost stability within the program, the program still faces some serious challenges ahead, a recent Teal Group report says.

Industrial “greed” abroad and program commitment at home continue to put the F-35 in the crosshairs, according to the report.

“The industrial situation has degenerated into a beg-a-thon,” the report says. “For a program that was supposed to break the cycle of offset demands, F-35 has actually engendered nothing but industrial greed, fueled by implied promises and aggressive salesmanship.”

The report continues: “There appears to be no way to reconcile “best value” contracts and “strategic sourcing” contracts. As third-tier contracts continue to trickle down, there should be enough work to keep international partners happy, but if there isn’t – and if the competition provides some aggressive offers – there could be one or two defectors.”

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I never cared for the F-35 that much anyway, but if they don't get their act together it will fail. And it seems like its not gonna be going anywhere, anytime soon.

Well the F-35 is to the F-22 what the F-16 is to the F-15. It's the workhorse, whereas the F-22 would be the stallion. I would be decidedly worried if this got canned, especially as the F-16 fleet gets older and older.

This post has been edited by quinntan: Apr 23 2008, 11:37 PM

The f-35 will be succsefull. We are to far into the program to cancel. Plus we need it to much.

Biggest problem with f-35 is export sale's.

I remember reading in combat aircraft magizine(best military avaition mag) that there haveing problems with it. Also qustioning it. But the JSF is to far for them to do anything but continue.

Just a little bump in my f-35's runway. Soon my friend soon.......

It would be a huge military waste(one of the biggest in history in my opinon)if this we stoped. We NEED the f-35. It's universal. We cant replace our f-16's,a-10,f/a-18,av-8 with the f-22.

We could cancel this but we would need to spend another 20-30 years making a replacment.

This post has been edited by mailman354: Apr 24 2008, 02:48 AM

Can't replace the A-10 with the F-35 either...

That's what they'll try to do in twenty years time.

Well that's exactly what there doing. Usaf is moving to a two fighter force meaning no more A-10's. The f-35 is just as capable with two exeption's.

1:few hard points(counting external but the A-10 did have like 28....)

2Dosent have avenger-7 cannon. What the frig can replace that lol.

Unless the us.military(and possibly many forigen) want to spend 20-30 year's and millions-billions of more dollars the f-35 is the only option.

A-10 program isn't dead yet... why would they have put the whole 'electronics' upgrade into it to give it a second life if they were going to replace it instantly with the F-35? I don't think the USAF wants to get rid of it yet, especially considering they almost dropped it right when they needed it most.. F/A-18 is going to supplement the F-35 last time I heard, so I don't know where you got the whole 'F/A-18 is dead' thing..

JSF program IMHO will be worth it if we can make it through...

This post has been edited by Schnee 8: Apr 24 2008, 01:52 PM

At the moment the estimated date of A-10 retirement is 2028, thanks to the new avionics and sensor upgrades, along with a new center wing box for some of the older A-10A's. These new upgraded A-10A's are known as A-10C, and it is entering service as each A-10 is upgraded.

Well im not saying there "dead". But thank's for the info. When did they upgrade the A-10? Seem's like since the f-35 is getting closer to service everything is getting one more shoot.

But they cant cancel the f-35. It's just to good! Plus it's really close to service so if they did it would be one of those "at the last second decisions.

I'm so tired of corruption and bureaucracy...