I guess I'm all "
hosed up" about the
F-22 based on the previous response, but didn't I mention I posted on this and the other topics over the years in my post? I don't know due to the vagueness of that response concerning what I posted concerning the
F-22 is the issue. So...
1)
F-35 is irrelevant without the
F-22:
https://theaviationist.com/2014/02/0...f-22-acc-says/
It's good to know the memory is not too far gone-yet!!
2) Now about those ongoing upgrades to the
F-22 still on track pretty much as a hurdle was just cleared. Also from ref. 2 (And you better note the date of it-please!!
) the weapons set has been increased and I think by now the "Usefulness in small Wars..." has clearly been demonstrated.
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...updated-02908/
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...ersies-019069/
https://www.airforcetimes.com/articl...ars-with-f-35s
USAF General Data Package but, before you use this package, you MUST read "Primary Function:" data point:
http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets...22-raptor.aspx
http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets...g-variant.aspx
http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets...-15-eagle.aspx
http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets...ike-eagle.aspx
http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets...erbolt-ii.aspx
Note the difference in the F-15 vs. F-15SE "Primary Function" as again defined by the USAF. The A-10 seems to be accomplishing it's mission pretty well in Syria and Iraq as "defined" by the USAF.
I think it should be clear to anyone that the F-35 is a fighter plane with land attack capability, hence the name, The F-35 Lightning II Program (also known as the
Joint Strike Fighter Program) not close Air Support Fighter etc. etc. All you need to do is see what planes it designed to replace for the USAF the F-16 and at some point the A-10 maybe, because Congress has already mandated to the USAF that they will find a more mission capable plane for that role.
For the USN/USMC that would be the F/A-18 fleet. We have no F-22 to escort our F-35 MR Fighters into combat. They will have to provide
CAP for the carrier battle-group or invasion force, and they'll be expected to fight their way into or out of an assigned target package as the F-15SE does now without a combat loss with around
99 kills that would be enemy fighters of course. I can ensure you that'll pretty much be the same for the F-35A if not going after a very high value target where the F-22 will be riding shotgun.
Concerning the UK carriers last I heard was they've designed them so the ski jump could be removed with the infrastructure in place for a catapult system and adding re-enforced decking to support conventional flight ops.
Also haven't heard much since this past Summer concerning taking one of the carriers and modifying it to support helicopter assault mission as well. What news of this?
A little something on a fine class of carrier in it's day and a good ship meets a sad end. Better to have used it as an artificial reef than to be scrapped.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-38224115
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...-for-scrapyard
Never did make to Portsmouth, that got ruined for us by the Soviets. Too bad!!
Regards,
Pat
