Is the F 35 really worth it? Or even needed? [View all]
The end of last month we heard that the F35 had flown its first combat mission. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/09/27/f-35-flies-first-combat-mission-in-afghanistan/ Our great 5G fighter/bomber/whatever was victorious on its mission against the most modestly equipped adversary on the planet. No doubt a PR stunt to sell it in the budget debates.
The next day we hear that our great 5G fighter crashed in South Carolina and is a total loss of $115M. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-south-carolina-crash-military/f-35-fighter-jet-crashes-in-south-carolina-pilot-ejects-idUSKCN1M82H2
The entire project has been a clusterfuck that reveals the corruption of the entire procurement process.
As far as if it is needed, I am of the opinion that we don't have any state level adversaries that are that serious a threat because of global economic entanglement. Having worked on publicly funded projects I've seen first hand the vanity of officials distorting their judgment to accept some gold plated widget because it seemed impressive.
I'd rather have a thousand A10s than 100 F35s. Give me the weapons I need today and prove to me that your wonder weapon is needed or worth the cost before I put down my green.
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