Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Why?
It's hardly WW III and the aircraft is still undergoing operational testing and upgrades. Also chances are the maintenance is still primarily supervised by contractors and spare parts are virtually nonexistent.

There's a difference between being confident a weapons system will fulfill the role it's intended for and being fully operational.

'Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey, the Marine Corps’ deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, told USNI News last month that “we intend to fully incorporate the F-35 into the [U.S. Pacific Command] area of operations.'” You may read the article here: https://news.usni.org/2017/01/10/fir...n-leaves-japan.

Sounds like Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey, USMC is confident in the plane to perform it's operatinal role.

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[IronDuke99]

Originally Posted by shahadi

'Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey, the Marine Corps’ deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, told USNI News last month that “we intend to fully incorporate the F-35 into the [U.S. Pacific Command] area of operations.'” You may read the article here: https://news.usni.org/2017/01/10/fir...n-leaves-japan.

Sounds like Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey, USMC is confident in the plane to perform it's operatinal role.

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Never under estimate the importance of 'politics' in military decisions. If the USMC are going to keep dedicated USMC air after Harrier they need F-35B. 'Seamlessly' running Harrier into F-35B makes the chances of having that kind of, important, air support cut far less likely.

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by IronDuke99

Never under estimate the importance of 'politics' in military decisions. If the USMC are going to keep dedicated USMC air after Harrier they need F-35B. 'Seamlessly' running Harrier into F-35B makes the chances of having that kind of, important, air support cut far less likely.

Agreed.

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[jp10]

You might want to wait to buy a ticket for an F-35 ride yet.

276 faults found in F-35 jets.

"THE MAIN ISSUES

Fixing the 25mm cannon which vibrates excessively
Way it is targeted by the aircraft’s ‘virtual reality’ helmet needs work
Overheating, premature wear of components in the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire also an issue
Aircraft’s ‘objectionable or unacceptable flying qualities’ while crossing the sound barrier – for which there are currently no plans for a fix."

http://dailywesterner.com/news/2017-...combat-system/

[shahadi]

Now the fate of the F-35B may well be enhanced now that SecDef James Mattis, a decorated USMC general, considered as a scholar assumes authority of the department of defense.

Let's hope he influences Lockheed Martin in the best interests of the MAW's and the land element marines.


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[jp10]

Ever see a General without decorations? It's like a Christmas tree without ornaments. Without them, you are just a tree.

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by shahadi

Now the fate of the F-35B may well be enhanced now that SecDef James Mattis, a decorated USMC general, considered as a scholar assumes authority of the department of defense.

Let's hope he influences Lockheed Martin in the best interests of the MAW's and the land element marines.
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Him and Trump both.

I don't see any indication either plans to shut down the F-35, in spite of those that claim it should be. But rather they plan to get the bloated and inefficient military-industrial system under control, long overdue.

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Him and Trump both.

I don't see any indication either plans to shut down the F-35, in spite of those that claim it should be. But rather they plan to get the bloated and inefficient military-industrial system under control, long overdue.

I don't mean to quibble, but I did say "enhanced."

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[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by IronDuke99

Never under estimate the importance of 'politics' in military decisions. If the USMC are going to keep dedicated USMC air after Harrier they need F-35B. 'Seamlessly' running Harrier into F-35B makes the chances of having that kind of, important, air support cut far less likely.

Yep, at those levels decisions are every bit as much influenced by political factors as military ones ... hopefully the military factors take priority but as we've seen far to often this isn't always the case.